‘And Murphy?’ The Irish former racing driver turned entrepreneur was not someone he had ever worked with.
‘You read his autobiography...? He cared for his mum who had cancer, and his three brothers and sisters, so Saul thought... I asked Saul for some advice. I thought I might start a charity that would help...’
He listened to her animatedly explain the ideas that were literally bubbling up in her.
‘So you went to Saul?’
‘He is on the boards of several charities and—’
‘So am I.’
‘You were busy and I...well...in six months’ time I am going to have money and not much to do. I can hardly go back to work for you, can I?’
He said nothing, unwilling to own even to himself that the idea thatsomehowshe would remain in his life was even in his head. ‘So you have been planning ahead.’ For a life without him.
His life would be without Tilda... The bleak, dark future seemed to stretch out into the distance.
‘So do you think it’s good idea?’
He fought the infinitely childish impulse to retortwould it matter what he thought,and nodded. ‘I think anything you do will be successful and if you need any help, which obviously seems doubtful, let me know.’
‘There he is!’ Tilda bounced in her seat when she saw her brother, who was talking to an older boy. When he caught sight of them he waved, said something to the other boy, who laughed, then jogged across to where they had parked.
‘How was it?’
‘It was...’ Sam began deadpan then he grinned. ‘Amazing!’
The tension left her shoulders as she sagged in relief.
‘Tell us about it.’
After five minutes, she was really regretting asking the question.
She took advantage of a lull by inserting, ‘Maybe I should have asked you what you didn’t like about it.’
‘Nothing, only...’
Tilda twisted round in her seat. ‘What?’
‘The thing is, nearly everyone boards, and if you’re going to be in the chess club and other stuff, well, the day boys miss out on a lot.’
It took a few seconds, but when she processed what he meant she was shocked. ‘You want to board?’
‘I’d be home every weekend.’
Ezio glanced at Tilda’s face. ‘How about we discuss this later?’
Sam went straight to the pool the moment they arrived back. From where she sat with Ezio under the shade of a group of lemon trees, she could hear him splashing. She nodded her thanks to the housekeeper as Sybil set down a tray of iced tea.
‘I can’t believe he wants to board.’
‘But you’re going let him?’
‘It feels like if I was enough...a better...he wouldn’t want to go. He’s always been... You think I smother him, don’t you? You think this will be good for him.’
‘Is that what you think?’
She nodded. ‘I suppose so,’ she admitted with a rueful shrug. ‘I’m going to have to let him go, aren’t I?’