“With hundreds of sprinkles.”
“Now I’m envious,” Evie said. “Would you like someone with you? Kristina finishes her shift at two, and I know she has babysat for you a couple of times.”
“She has. The girls love Kristina. Thank you, but no. Wecan do this.” Chrissy breathed. “And my husband should be here soon. He managed to get an earlier train.”
“That’s great.” Evie’s smile didn’t falter. “If you change your mind about having company on that beach trip, let us know. You have my number. Call anytime.”
They waited until the door was closed and then exchanged looks.
“She wants to get Holly straight back in the water,” Abby said. “I wish she’d said yes when you suggested Kristina go with her.”
“Maybe her husband will get here before she goes. I’m glad he decided to get an earlier train,” Evie said. “Maybe he felt the strength of our judgement and disapproval. Now tell me the truth. Is your leg really okay?”
“Truth? No, it’s agony. But hey, at least there wasn’t a shark!”
“You probably shouldn’t be walking around on it. You should have a day off.”
“I don’t want a day off. Honestly, I’d rather work, Evie. And then I want us to have dinner in your garden so you can tell me about Luca.”
“On one condition—”
“Which is?”
“That you tell me about Tristan. And don’t say there’s nothing to tell because Tristan messaged me last night and—” She broke off as the door opened again. “Maybe Chrissy has changed her mind about needing help—”
But it wasn’t Chrissy. It was Donna, and she wasn’t smiling.
“Sorry to interrupt again but there’s someone to see you. In the circumstances I thought maybe your office was the best place to bring her, Evie.”
“What circumstances? Who wants to see me?”
“Not you.” Donna turned to Abby. “Your mother is here.”
“My mother? Here? No, that isn’t possible. She wouldnever—” She was about to say that her mother would never come in person, when her mother walked into the room.
“Abby.” She nodded and then turned to Donna. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that cup of coffee you so kindly offered.”
“Coming right up.” Donna virtually bowed her way out of the room, which would have been comical if Abby hadn’t been focused on her mother’s unexpected arrival.
“I didn’t know—you should have called—”
“I did call. After I received your message, but you didn’t call me back—” she gave Abby a pointed look “—and I decided it would be better to come in person.”
Did her mother know she’d been putting off the call? Probably. But what Abby couldn’t understand was why one drunken message would induce her mother to get on a plane and come to a hotel she’d been avoiding for the best part of her adult life.
“But—”
“You must be Evie.” Her mother gave Evie a rare smile and extended her hand. “I’m Alexandra Strong. Abby tells me you’ve been doing excellent work here. We’re going to have a talk, you and I. But for now I wonder if you’d be kind enough to—”
“—leave you and Abby alone. Of course.” Evie grabbed a couple of things from her desk. “Use my office. Take as long as you need. I’ll—” There was a commotion outside the door and Evie sighed.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never known a morning as crazy as this one. Whatever this is, I’ll deal with it and give you time together.”
Voices were raised and they could hear Donna saying, “You cannot go in there without an appointment,” followed by “I’m going to call security” and then the door flew open and a man stood there.
Abby had only seen him at a distance before, but she knewwho he was because of Evie’s description which, it turned out, was uncannily accurate. The weasel.
“Finally,” he said, jerking his arm away from Donna who had clearly been trying to pull him back.
