41
‘I just hope,’ Mercedes says, ‘that she leaves it at that.’
Donatella sits up in bed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Donita, she’s a nasty piece of work. You know that.’
‘I know,’ says Donatella. ‘But what’s she going to do? She’s a kid.’
Not so much. She’s a kid with lawyers. A kid with a father who’s friends with the duke.
Maybe it’ll be okay. Maybe she’ll leave it alone.
‘She could take our custom away,’ she says.
‘Oh, balls,’ says Donatella. ‘She didn’t exactly manage it this afternoon, did she?’
‘Yes, but … ’
‘She’s just a rude brat,’ says Donatella.
Oh, lord. ‘But she … ’
‘Mersa, you’re such a worrier.’
Because I know. I know better than any of you what she’s like.
‘Seriously,’ says Donatella, ‘it’ll be fine. I’d have thought you’d be pleased I stood up for you.’
‘But the others … ’
‘The others nothing,’ says Donatella. ‘Sebastian asked me to a party on Saturday. Down in the marina. They’re going nowhere.’