‘There you go.’
‘But you said we have to keep under the radar—your job, my...my notoriety...’
‘You don’t need to worry about that. The place I have in mind is quiet, peaceful. We’ll hardly see a soul.’
She sighs softly and puts her arms around me, cuddling in. ‘It sounds perfect.’
‘It is.’
Her head-shake is softer now. ‘But it doesn’t feel right, leaving when she’s so ill...’
‘I’m talking a few days at most—a chance to recharge. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to your grandmother to look after your health too.’
She goes quiet and I wonder if I’ve lost her, if the idea is too much. I hold my breath as I wait.
Eventually she nods and gives me the lightest squeeze. ‘Okay.’
Okay. I mentally repeat that as I relax and press a kiss to her head, staying t
here as I breathe her in and think.
The first part of my plan is in motion. I hope the rest can come my way as easily.
Although, I don’t need easy—I just need her.
If she’ll still have you when the truth is out...
* * *
‘Where are we going?’
I packed as he instructed—warm clothing, enough for a couple of nights away—but I haven’t actually asked until now. I think part of me is stunned that I’m actually doing it. I’m not impulsive. I don’t just pack up on a whim. But one look at Granny’s face when I told her I’d been invited away and I knew it was the right thing.
She actually smiled and squeezed my hand, said it was a lovely idea and told me that she and Grace were looking forward to the peace and quiet. Ever a Lauren, ever controlled, ever in charge.
I even saw Philip—albeit briefly. But it was long enough for me to make my thoughts clear once more on his attempt to move Granny elsewhere.
When I told him I’d be gone for a couple of days, he smiled. I don’t want to think about what that smile meant, but I have assurances from Grace that she’ll tell me if anything untoward happens in my absence, and I don’t think Philip would dare—not if he wants to avoid the fuss I’d kick up on my return.
I shake off the negative direction of my thoughts and look at Ash in the driver’s seat. He still hasn’t answered my question.
‘Come on—where are we going?’
‘It’s a surprise.’ He smiles at me as he says it and then looks back to the road. ‘You should lie back, chill... Although, don’t get too comfy—we’ll be getting out soon.’
‘You have met me, right? I don’t “chill”.’
His smile becomes a grin. ‘It’s time you learned.’
I harrumph and look out of the passenger window at the rain, which won’t stop falling and is making the afternoon feel much later than it is.
‘I’m beginning to wish I’d said we could go away for longer—then you’d have had us in the Bahamas, or anywhere but here. It’s so grey and miserable...’
‘It won’t feel as bad when we’re up in the air.’
‘When we’re what?’ I turn to him. ‘What do you mean?’
His grin is still there, riding strong. ‘You’ll see.’