‘I’m not surprised by that.’ She took his hand, leading him away from the class room, a lurching feeling tipping her tummy.
‘Where are we going, Mummy?’
Max hadn’t noticed yet, but Annie was conscious of the way other parents were looking at her. She had to get Max home.
‘A friend is picking us up,’ she murmured. ‘This way.’
Now she understood why celebrities always wore over-sized sunglasses. What she wouldn’t have done to be able to flick something down over her
face! She drew Max closer, walking with an arm around his shoulders until they reached the car park.
A big, dark SUV was there, just as Dimitrios had said it would be. As they approached, two men stepped out, one from each side. The blond, wearing the very dark glasses Annie had been coveting a moment ago, moved to the rear door.
‘Ma’am.’ He dipped his head forward. Annie froze, the gesture of respect completely unexpected.
‘Hello,’ she murmured, looking into the rear to see a booster seat had been put in place.
‘Who are they?’ Max whispered, looking to Annie with curiosity rather than fear.
‘Friends. In you go.’
She watched Max buckle himself in then crossed to the other side of the car, where the other man held the door open for her. She smiled awkwardly before taking her own seat. The car wasn’t a make with which she was familiar, but she didn’t need to recognise the brand to know it was clearly the last word in luxury, from the windows that were tinted as dark as night, to an expansive sun roof overhead and seats that were a sumptuous, soft black leather. There were arm rests even in the back seat and, just as Annie was marvelling at this, the man in the front passenger seat said, ‘There are drinks in the centre console.’
‘Drinks?’ Max’s expression showed how fabulous he thought that was. He flicked a switch before Annie could stop him, and the console opened to reveal small bottles of champagne, water and juice boxes. She was sorely tempted to open a champagne, anything to calm her nerves, but she knew she needed every wit about her for what was coming next.
‘Can I have a juice, Mummy?’
Mummy. It pulled at her heartstrings. She opened her mouth to say no, but then realised that was silly. His world was going to change shape altogether; why deny him a rare treat when it was on offer?
‘Of course.’ And, to reassure him, she reached for a water bottle for herself, smiling.
She didn’t live far from the school, and fortunately the paparazzi were still waiting for Max and Annie to leave the class room, which meant they were able to make a quick retreat and arrive home with no one the wiser. The car pulled up outside the front and, despite the lack of intrusive photographers, the man from the passenger seat moved quickly, coming to open Annie’s door and keeping his eyes on the footpath beyond. As soon as Annie and Max were out, he shepherded them to Annie’s door, standing by as it was opened. Once inside, Annie saw a dark shadow beneath the door and knew that the man was standing on the other side.
‘Your friend doesn’t want to come inside?’ Max asked.
Annie’s smile was distracted. ‘No.’
‘That was strange.’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you want to play cards?’
She blinked, the question reassuring in its normalcy.
She was about to agree when the door pushed inwards—no knock this time—and Dimitrios strode in as though he owned the place. As though he owned every place. She put a hand on Max’s shoulder reflexively, drawing him closer, but her eyes never left Dimitrios. He was wearing jeans today, and a simple T-shirt, white so it that showed off his tan, with a collar that sat perfectly at his neck.
‘Is this another friend, Mummy?’
Annie’s eyes flared wide.
‘Not exactly.’ She swallowed. ‘Sit down, Max. There’s something we want to talk to you about.’
She was conscious of everything in that moment. Of Dimitrios’s size and scent as he came close to them, the smallness of her apartment, the dimness of the furnishings, their son’s earnest little face, the way his uniform was tatty and faded.
‘Max, this is Dimitrios,’ she said quietly, taking the seat opposite Max at the dining table, watching his face for the tiniest flickers, nerves making her pulse fire. ‘He was very good friends with Lewis.’
‘Uncle Lewis?’