“He parties a lot. Too much. He’s constantly skipping seminars at university, and he hangs around with the wrong sort of people. Ethan has a lot of potential. He’s more intelligent than he makes out, and incredibly talented. But he’s lost his way. I hope he finds it, before it’s too late.”
“I’m sure he will,” I assured him with a smile. Perhaps I’d mention the weed to him sometime, but not today. We’d had enough deep talk for one night, and I didn’t want him to ask uncomfortable questions about my past. I got up and continued examining the library, even though I knew it would take me days to look at every single book. I pulled an old fairy tale from a shelf and leafed through it carefully. The pages were yellowed and the font was ornate, as was often the case in very old, very valuable books. It was hard to decipher, so I put it back to look at some of the newer ones.
“You can borrow something, if you want.”
I turned, only now realising that Henry had also stood. He was right behind me. Damn, I really abandoned all caution when it came to him.
“Really?”
“Sure. That’s what they’re there for. As long as you promise not to steal them.”
I grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The Blackroom
There are new developments in the Richard Darlington case: Darlington has to stand trial.
Despite his efforts to make evidence disappear, enough has been secured to press charges against him. The date of the trial is as yet undecided, but bail has already been set. Richard Darlington’s conditions include house arrest in London. He must remain within a three-mile radius of The Darlington Hotel. In addition, he has lost access to his bank accounts, and must pay a seven-figure sum to avoid incarceration. He faces imprisonment if he violates any one of these conditions.
The road to justice is often long, but these recent developments are a step in the right direction. We will continue to report on the progress of the trial.
24
EXCLUSIVE: Richard Darlington to Stand Trial!
The Billionaire Faces Up to 25 Years in Prison!
INsiderheadline
Kate
“We’re going for a drink. Are you coming?” Grace asked.
Wemeant Grace and Rose from the kitchen. Grace had introduced us last week. Rose had been working as a kitchen aide at Darlington Dining for four years. She was quiet and often sat back to listen and observe while Grace and I talked. Rose reminded me of the person I had been on the streets. Always alert, always on guard.
“No. Maybe some other time,” I answered. I had my own work schedule now, so Grace and I didn’t see each other as often as we had at the beginning. But I still needed to get used to spending money for fun. I could probably spare the four pounds for a pint of beer, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, even though I’d be paid my first salary at the end of the month.
Grace wound a scarf in the same shade as her lipstick around her neck. “Are you sure? Amy is coming too.”
“I’m not in the mood. Sorry.”
“Leave her, if she doesn’t want to,” Rose stepped into the changing room and came to my rescue. She had dark-brown, almost-black long hair and green eyes. They were beautiful but extremely intense, and I sometimes found it hard to maintain eye contact with her.
Rose came over and placed two takeaway boxes next to me. Since she’d found out I’d been living off the fruit from the corridors for days, she insisted on giving me food. There was always something left over at the restaurant. Sometimes she brought it to the changing room after her shift, or else I picked it up from the kitchen.
“Thanks. What is it today?”
“Smoked sweet potato gnocchi with a pepper and cream sauce and morels. And crêpe suzette for dessert,” she said, with an enthusiasm I rarely heard from her. Rose dreamed of becoming a Michelin-star chef and was working at The Darlington to save up for culinary school, which cost a small fortune.
I smiled. “Sounds delicious. But what aremorels?”
“Mushrooms.”
“And what’ssuzette?”
“Crepes in an orange-liqueur-and-orange-juice sauce.”
Thank god. I never complained about food, especially if it was free, but these rich people ate a lot of weird stuff. Yesterday Rose had brought me something with caviar, and the day before, it had been duck liver. Neither was in the running to become my favourite food.
