Deception

by Marciano, Jane

“She’s picky.”

  “She must be. See much of them?”

  “I saw her just yesterday as a matter of fact.”

  “Colin keeps a photo of her in his bureau. One taken of her when she was young.”

  I was surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

  Max nodded. “Yeah. I saw him take it out and look at it the other day. He looked rather nostalgic. Must be getting sentimental in his old age.”

  “Doesn’t your mum mind?”

  “What’s there to be jealous about? He divorced your mum and married mine. Guess if he’d still loved wife number one, he’d be with her. So how can it hurt my mum if he takes a little look every now and again? I don’t blame him for looking anyway. She was quite a looker, your mum, back in the day.”

  I thought back to earlier in my day, how Kristie had completely lost it when she was reminded that Freddie had loved me enough once to paint my portrait, and had wanted to give me the painting as a gift. It had mattered a great deal to her apparently. Enough so that she had seen me as a threat.

  Jealousy. Not always a rational emotion.

  Max was still prattling on. “Yes, your mother was a real stunner. Can’t think why your dad left her, never mind for my mother. Ma’s great, of course, but she’s no looker like your mum was. I guess it must’ve come as a shock to your mum to be cast aside. Still, she’s happy enough now, isn’t she?”

  “Yes.”

  Max shot a sideways glance at me. “Okay. Got it. You don’t want to discuss it.”

  “Correct.”

  “Fair enough. Let’s talk about you instead. What happened to that old guy you were seeing?”

  I turned to him in surprise. “How do you know about that?”

  “From Jonti.”

  “Jonti?”

  “Yeah. Your brother, Bailey. Jonti Cathcart.”

  “I know who my damn brother is, Max. I just didn’t know you guys kept in touch.”

  “Was it supposed to be a secret?”

  “No, of course not. Don’t be silly.”

  But for some reason it irked me that Jonti hadn’t mentioned being in touch with Max, but Max simply said, “Don’t get defensive again, cutie pie. Doesn’t mean Jonti cares about you any the less just because he doesn’t tell you everything.”

  I relaxed. “OK. I get that.”

  “So?”

  “So what?”

  “So what about this long-term relationship you were supposed to be having? What happened?”

  I sighed. “Freddie and I broke up, about a month ago.”

  “Sorry.” Max paused. “Why?”

  I gave a little laugh. “God, you really are nosy, aren’t you?”

  He grinned. “So what if I am? What do you have to hide?”

  “Nothing. I’m transparent.”

  “Okay, then. So what caused the break up?”

  “Well, I kind of expect the man I’m living with to be faithful. And he wasn’t.”

  “So it’s just as well you found out about him before it was too late and you got saddled with children, isn’t it?”

  “Indeed. A lesson harshly learned,” I said faintly. “I’ll try to be more discerning next time.”

  He gave me a long look and then banged the heel of his palm on the steering wheel so that I jumped.

  “Honey, you sorely need to forget all that crap from the past and go get yourself some fun.”

  “Is that your antidote to rejection and disillusion?”

  “There you go with them long words again. But what I say is there’s nothing wrong with a good frolic between two consenting adults.”

  “You said your sister was married?”

  Max smiled, as if he realised I was purposely changing the subject.

  “Yeah. She’s saddled her husband Luke with twin girls.”

  “Twins?”

  “It’s a scarily genetic thing that seems to run in my family,” Max said sombrely. “Ma’s sister had two sets.”

  “You’d better watch out then, and make provision for such an event.”

  He made a face. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.”

  Just then we reached the hotel entrance and he steered the Lotus through a set of wrought iron gates moulded into an archway which in turn led to a large, paved courtyard in front of the main doors of the hotel.

  All around the courtyard ran a low wall partially covered in moss and lichen. Some parts of the wall looked to be in need of re-grouting, and a number of stones were missing; I could see gaping holes in the structure. In fact the whole place looked very slightly shabby and rather run down. To the side of the cobbled courtyard was a large car port housing half a dozen cars and a couple of delivery vans, some of which I guessed were the property of the staff. Max backed the Lotus into one of these spaces, and cut the engine.

  Directly in front of the main entrance stood a small fountain, at the centre of which, on a raised plinth, stood a miniature but very life-like bronze statue of the winged horse, Pegasus, after which the hotel was named.

  We got out of the car, and Max stretched his body languorously, aware, I believe, that I happened to be looking at him just then. He was a fine specimen of a man, but I quickly averted my glance, which made him smile. I snatched up my handbag and slammed the car door shut. Slipping off my jacket, I hooked a finger through the loop at the neck, and swung it around my shoulder. There was a slight breeze due to being so high above sea level, but it was still too warm to feel comfortable wearing a leather jacket. Even the cobble stones seemed to have retained the heat from the day’s sun, and I could feel the warmth through the soles of my shoes.

  Max flipped a switch under the dashboard which opened the boot of the car and went around to the back of it to retrieve my cases. As he lifted them out from the boot and placed them onto the cobbles, he said casually, “I’ve already eaten, Bailey, but I’m sure my mother will have seen to it that something’s been put aside for you.”

  I said quickly, “I don’t want any special attention.”

  He slammed the boot shut and looked at me. “Why not? You gotta eat, girl.”

  “I meant I don’t want any special attention because I’m family, not a guest. I didn’t mean that I wasn’t hungry.”

  His mobile phone rang just then, and he hooked a finger at me to show he was taking the call. While he was talking, I looked around me. Despite the disrepair, there was still something rather grand and beautiful about the place. I went over to the wall and looked over the side. It fell away steeply and far below me I watched high waves crash against the rocks and boulders, sending sea and surf hurtling high into the air. I could almost feel the spray upon my face. It was a glorious sight. Breath-taking. Beautiful. Awesome in its power.

  A bird flew out from its nest just below me. As I leaned further over the wall to watch it take flight, a chunk of stone fell, hurtling down the cliffside towards the gnashing waters below.

  Dangerously beautiful.

  Turning back to face Max I said dreamily, “I’d forgotten just how wonderful it is here. And it’s so peaceful, too, in its way.”

  Putting away his phone, Max said abruptly, “Too peaceful means we’re not making enough money.”

  I frowned. “Money problems?”

  “Nothing the family can’t deal with. My mother’s always been a pretty good business woman. She had to be, after my father died and left the running of this place to her.”

  I sympathised and said, “It can’t have been easy, her first husband dying so suddenly like that in a tragic horse-riding accident, leaving her alone to cope with two young children in a place this size, and her still relatively a young woman.”

  “She managed.”

  “She was lucky.”

  Max’s face screwed up. “Lucky?”

  Hastily I said, “I don’t mean lucky in that your father died, I didn’t mean that at all. I meant…” I searched for the right word, “She was fortunate in the knowledge that her husband didn’t leave her because of
another women. Because she had the comfort of knowing she’d always been loved, and she didn’t have to suffer humiliation and endure the acrimony of the man she loved and who she thought loved her back walking out on her. Nobody did the dirty on her.”

  I didn’t realise how bitter I must have sounded until I saw Max giving me a knowing look.

  “So the anger’s still there, Bailey. Even after all these years.”

  I pulled a face and twirled on my heel, making for the reception.

  He called out after me, “So, I’ll bring your cases in, shall I?”

  I couldn’t help smiling. Max reminded me of my brother a little. No bad thing if I was going to make this situation permanent.

  Chapter 9

  I went up a short flight of concrete steps to the front doors. My heels clacked on the marble tiles as I went inside. Out of the fading heat and sunshine, it was darker inside the lobby of the hotel, and I had to squint a little in the sudden gloom. Despite the ornate crystal chandeliers that seemed to have sprung from another era and which were trying their hardest to give off a glowing illumination, I noticed that some of the light bulbs were missing and hadn’t been replaced.

  I pulled off my headscarf, tucked it into my shoulder bag and looked around, trying to remember the layout of the place and get my bearings.

  There was a main reception desk on my left, polished to such a high gloss that it positively shone, but currently unmanned and unattended. A lounge area was to my right where low tables, armchairs and sofas were grouped. Notices directed guests to the restaurant, bar and roof garden beyond the seating area. Bowls of flowers and potted plants placed strategically around gave off touches of colour and even a slight fragrance, but a few of the larger potted plants looked as if they could do with a good watering.

  An elderly couple were seated opposite one another towards the far end of the room, glasses of wine and bowls of olives and crisps on the table before them. They seemed to be engrossed in a game of Scrabble. A middle-aged couple were seated nearby transfixed by a large TV affixed to the wall in one corner of the room. In a distant corner a man sat reading a newspaper. A thin and elegant old woman was seated near him, and she was knitting. I couldn’t see anyone else around, but that didn’t mean there weren’t other guests staying there. It was still early in the season, and it was evening and getting late. Maybe they were out and about, or already in their rooms.

  I looked over to the desk. The phones and computers were silent. There were printers and Xerox machines behind the desk on credenzas and above them was an ornate gilt clock which reminded me I’d been on the go for over fourteen hours.

  Interestingly, amongst the paraphernalia on top of the counter was also an old-fashioned bell, which I decided to ignore. The receptionist was probably either busy in the office or out having a quick smoke, but I didn’t feel I needed attention. Actually I felt right at home there, despite the fact that butterflies were shooting around in my stomach trying to escape. I put it down to excitement at the prospect of seeing my father again. I was certainly looking forward to seeing him. It had been so long since we’d last met up. Much too long.

  Just then Max came alongside, a case on each shoulder. He plonked them on the floor beside me.

  I looked at him. “You didn’t have to carry the bags, Max, they have wheels.”

  He grinned and simply held out his arm, flexing his biceps for me in a way which I guessed was supposed to send me swooning.

  Ignoring the demonstration of male virility, I said, “Max, I don’t suppose you happen to know where my father is, do you?”

  I’d half hoped he’d come to the airport to meet me himself. And though I hadn’t expected a full welcoming committee, I was a bit disappointed that he at least wasn’t waiting to greet me. Simple courtesy, surely. And if he hadn’t been able to make it, for whatever reason, surely he’d have left a message?

  Max strolled around the desk and tapped a keyboard, then gazed at the PC screen as it flickered into life.

  I waited expectantly for a couple of minutes, but when no response materialised and he didn’t say anything, I lost patience.

  “Max!”

  Startled, he looked up, saw I was annoyed and said, “What?”

  “My father?”

  He shrugged. “How the hell do I know where he is?”

  I was aware that my toe had started tapping on the ground of its own accord. I’m sure I wasn’t overly agitated or controlling it. In fact I was trying my best to keep cool and not show my slowly mounting irritation with this somewhat insouciant young stud.

  I said, “Well, would you mind finding out for me? If it’s not too much trouble?”

  Max glanced up at the clock on the wall and said, “He’s probably asleep.”

  I remembered my dad as being a tireless workaholic who rarely went to bed until after midnight so, leaning back against the desk, aware that it tightened the material around my breasts, I gave him Max my sweetest and most provocative smile.

  “Look, won’t you please just give him a call to tell him his daughter’s here and is dying to see him?”

  I guess my charms weren’t as winsome as I’d thought because, although Max had looked me over with interest, he shook his head.

  “Sorry, Bailey. Can’t help you.” He spread his hands, trying to pacify me. “Say, what about a night cap before you turn in for the night?”

  “I don’t want a nightcap, and this is absurd!” I could feel my exasperation building. “I’ve ditched my life in London, such as it is, and come all this way just to see him, and you can’t even tell me where he is or how to get in touch with him!”

  I thought Max was looking a bit shifty, so I eyed him more closely. He avoided eye contact.

  Hands on hips, I said, “What’s going on, Max?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Something,” I insisted. “I know it, I can feel it. What aren’t you telling me?”

  For a moment longer he hesitated, and then said, “He had an accident.”

  I could only stare at him. Max nodded.

  “Nothing too awful,” he added hastily, obviously thinking I was in shock. “He broke his ankle.”

  “What?”

  “He broke his ankle…”

  “…Yes, yes, I heard you,” I spluttered. “How? Where? When?”

  I looked around wildly, almost as if expecting my father to suddenly appear from nowhere.

  “Does it matter?”

  I stared back at Max. I didn’t understand why he hadn’t told me about this when we’d first met up. “Yes, it matters,” I said. “I should go to him!”

  “No.”

  He raised his hand.

  “No?” I could feel my eyes widening in surprise.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Now don’t get all upset! Colin’s in good hands. Meg’s probably with him.”

  I could feel my forehead furrowing. “Megan?”

  “She helps to look after him. She’s a trained nurse, you know.” Max turned aside, frowning. “Damn it, I knew we should’ve organised a car to pick you up.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath. Tried to calm down. Tried not to feel resentful that my step sister was caring for my father when it should’ve been me instead. Told myself I should accept the situation with good grace. People of all ages trip and fall over all the time, I told myself, and I should be grateful that he had a loving family around him to take care of him.

  But I still wanted explanations.

  I said, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this accident when it happened?”

  “Because things happen all the time. This was just another thing that happened.” He gave me a look that was unreadable. “You don’t keep in touch, Bailey.”

  I don’t keep in touch because my father cut me out of his life.

  Quickly I rallied to my defence. “Why didn’t your mother say anything about this when I rang earlier to say I’d be coming?”

  “Would it have made a
difference if you’d known?”

  “No. But I don’t understand why it should be such a secret.”

  “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

  I sucked in my cheeks. “Oh I will, when I see her.” I paused, and added tartly, “I don’t suppose you know where she is, do you?”

  Max shut down the computer and turned to face me. “Sure I know. She’s in the office, where she usually is at this time of evening.” He smiled rather smugly at me. “As a matter of fact she said she’d like to see you as soon as you got here.”

  I had to stop myself from drumming my fingers on the desk. “Anything else you forgot to tell me?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” He jerked a thumb behind him towards a door leading off from the reception area. “Through there.”

  “Yes,” I drawled. “I do remember where the office is.”

  But I hesitated and eyed my cases, knowing I should really go first to my room and unpack and freshen up before seeing her. I wanted a shower, and I would’ve given anything for a stiff drink. But I was torn, too.

  I really wanted to get things clear with Gwen first. Get things out of the way and sorted between us. And not just about my father’s accident. After all, I planned to stay on permanently, and it was her hotel. Hers and my father’s, of course. But she ruled the roost, I knew that. I’d always known that. So my staying there would have to be on her terms.

  Max saw my expression.

  “I’ll take your cases upstairs to your room for you if you like,” he offered.

  I turned to him gratefully. “Would you?”

  “No problem.”

  “Appreciate it.”

  “Well, you do actually look knackered.”

  “Gee, thanks.” I gave a short laugh. “But that’s probably because it’s been quite a day, one way or another.” I cocked an eyebrow at him suggestively. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it some time. When I get to know you better, that is.”

  “Can’t wait. Won’t be soon enough for me, pretty lady.”

  I could feel my lips curling. “You’re a flirt, Max, you know that?”

  He looked pleased. “It’s a gift. Some have it, but few know what to do with it. However, I think you know what to do with it though, Miss Cathcart.”