“I’m so very glad to hear it,” Primrose said, shuffling forward in her seat. “You would make them so proud. Everything you’ve built—it’s quite extraordinary.”
“I did it for them,” I said.
Silence settled between us. Their death had been so raw at the beginning, the only thing I could do to survive was to push it away. But the edges had softened, and although I still missed them and wished I’d spent the last fifteen years being able to seek their advice and see their smiles, now I could just be grateful for what they’d given me.
“I want to ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth,” I said. When Primrose and I first started working together, she’d made a number of attempts to try to talk to me about my brother. I’d been very clear if she ever brought him up to me again, not only could she no longer work for me, but I couldn’t have anything to do with her. I hadn’t wanted to hear any excuses about what he’d done. The actions he’d taken were unforgivable. Nothing could be said or done that could undo his betrayal, or even justify it. She’d agreed and from that day, had never mentioned him. From time to time I did wonder if she’d stayed in touch with him, whether they swapped Christmas cards or saw each other at all. “Are you in touch with my brother?”
She sat back in her chair as if I’d hit her.
My heart began to thud as I waited for her reply. I wasn’t sure what I wanted her to say. Did I want her to have stayed in touch with David? What did it mean if she had? Would I be pleased he still had a connection to our parents through Primrose?
Primrose’s gaze was in her lap. “Dexter, I don’t want this to be an issue between us.”
“It won’t be,” I snapped. Primrose could make her own decisions. “I never asked you not to see him. It’s none of my business. I just specified that you were never to speak to me about him. I was wondering whether you saw him—whether you see him still.”
She cleared her throat. “I do.”
I wanted her to elaborate but she stayed silent, no doubt honoring the request I’d made of her. It said something that Primrose had maintained a connection. I couldn’t help being curious as to what kept her in contact with David. “Okay,” I said, changing the subject. “I’m not in a rush to open in London, but if the Knightsbridge property works, we should be ready. Let’s work up what Daniels & Co would look like in London. Are you okay to liaise with the team?”
“Certainly,” she replied. “I’m really happy you’re—”
“It makes good business sense,” I said, shattering any kind of emotional lens she wanted to see this through.
“How are you and Hollie?” she asked. “She’s getting on very well in the role. She’s got a real eye—an instinct.”
I tried not to grin and agree too readily. “I’m pleased. No special treatment though. She’d hate that.” Hollie never expected anything she didn’t work for, and it was one of the things I liked most about her.
“No, she gets treated like an intern. But I like her. That’s all.”
“Good,” I said. “I like her too. In fact, she’s going to be staying with me for the rest of her time in London.” We’d not talked too much about the future, but I couldn’t see a time when I didn’t want to be with Hollie. “It makes sense.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Dexter. You deserve someone worthy of you.”
It was an interesting phrase to use. “I surround myself with good people, Primrose. Same as you do.” I just wasn’t sure how her relationship with my brother fitted.
“I just wonder if historically, there’s been a gap,” she replied. “Things have shifted for you in recent months, Dexter. You’re thinking about opening in London. You’re facing things from your past and investing in your future.”
I’d opened the door to this conversation but it was getting drafty. I wanted to put my shoulder to the wood and press it closed.
“I’m pleased for you,” she continued. “You might want to consider whether it’s time to hear the whys of the past.” That was cryptic. “Good people don’t suddenly turn bad, Dexter, but sometimes they’re put in a position where they have to make a choice and every option is dreadful.” Without saying his name, she was talking about David, trying to make excuses for his betrayal. She stood, leaned across the table and pressed her hand over mine before heading out.
I wasn’t about to accept he was a good person, but lately I’d become more curious about the why.
Twenty-Two
Dexter
I’d thought Hollie was underestimating how much stuff she had. But she was true to her word when she said she had two suitcases.