Chapter 15
Gabriel was aware he was probably crossing the line by calling Fi’s brother. His parents probably wouldn’t approve, but he felt responsible for a young member of his staff and didn’t wish to ask anything further of Daisy until she’d had a chance to come to terms with everything that had happened. He went to his office, closed the door and sat down to call Sebastian. The mobile number rang for a while and he was about to cut off the call when he heard a voice say, ‘Sebastian Fielding, hold on one minute please.’
Gabriel waited while Sebastian spoke to someone.
‘Sorry about that,’ he said. ‘I was just filling up with petrol.’
‘I don’t mean to interrupt you. I can call back if you’re driving,’ Gabriel said.
‘No, not at all, I’ve come up from the South of France and am almost at the end of this drive, so I could do with something else to think about. Anyway, I’ve got the phone on hands free, so please carry on.’
‘It’s Gabriel Wilson here, your sister Fi works on the reception at my parents’ hotel.’ Gabriel heard Sebastian clear his throat.
‘Is my sister all right?’ he asked, the panic obvious in his tone.
‘Yes, she’s fine,’ Gabriel said hurriedly, not wishing to worry him unnecessarily. ‘But there’s something I think you’d want to know.’ He hesitated. ‘Look wouldn’t you rather call me back when you’re not driving?’
‘No, please continue.’
Sebastian explained about Aaron and how he’d stalked and threatened Daisy and how he was now using Fi to get back at her for leaving him. ‘He hasn’t done anything to Fi as yet, but I thought you’d want to know that he’s hanging around and Fi seems to be getting quite close to him.’ He spoke in more detail, filling Sebastian in on the things Daisy had told him about the man.
There was a brief silence. ‘Thank you for telling me. I’ll call my butler now – he’ll know what to do and he’ll ensure nothing untoward happens to my sister. And Gabriel?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you for taking the time to call me. I appreciate it.’
‘No problem. Daisy will be relieved to know that I’ve been able to contact you.’
‘I’m just outside Dinard now, so will be home in about two hours. I’d appreciate it if you have a chat with my sister as soon as you can; she needs to be put in the picture about this idiot. You can tell her I know and I’ll sort this out as soon as I get back.’
Gabriel ended the call and rubbed his face with his hands. It was a relief that Sebastian had listened so readily to what he had to tell him. Not wishing to alert Fi to anything before she was in his office, he gave her a call at reception and asked her to come through as soon as possible.
She entered the room a short while later and took the proffered seat on the other side of the desk, looking a little concerned. ‘This feels a little official,’ she said, forcing a smile.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not about the hotel.’
Her perfectly shaped eyebrows knitted together. ‘What is it about then?’ she asked. Then narrowing her eyes, added. ‘It’s about Phil, isn’t it? Daisy’s been saying things.’ She went to stand up.
‘Sit down, Fi,’ Gabe snapped, tired of her blaming Daisy for something she wasn’t guilty of. ‘I’ve just got off the phone with your brother.’
‘Why?’ she asked nervously, but remaining seated. ‘What have I done?’
‘It’s not you,’ Gabe said, his voice gentle once more. ‘It’s Phil. He’s not who he says he is. He’s Daisy’s ex-boyfriend Aaron who’s trying to pay her back for leaving him when he got a bit too…’ He tried to think what to say without frightening her. ‘Intense.’
‘Intense?’ she glared at him. ‘What’s that supposed to mean? He’s been caring and interested in what I’ve been doing, but that’s because he likes me. I wouldn’t call that intense.’
Gabe wished he didn’t have to go into detail about Daisy’s past, but needed Fi to listen and grasp what sort of guy she was getting herself involved with. He contemplated for a few seconds how much he should say next. ‘I don’t know what Daisy has told you about her reasons for leaving Devon, but they have a lot to do with Aaron.’
Fi narrowed her eyes. ‘You mean Phil. Go on.’
‘His real name is Aaron, whatever you choose to believe,’ he said, becoming exasperated at her determination not to take in what he was trying to tell her. ‘He and Daisy had known each other since they were teenagers but had been seeing each other as a couple. Daisy had been gaining more recognition for her paintings and eventually was given her own exhibition.’ He wished he didn’t have to go on and hoped that Daisy would understand why he was confiding so much in Fi.
‘Go on,’ she said, nibbling at one of her fingernails.
Relieved to finally have her full attention but not daring to go any further with Daisy’s story, he said, ‘Put it this way, he ended up becoming violent and did some things that made it impossible for her to stay in her hometown. Her mother felt the same way and persuaded Daisy to leave without him knowing.’
‘Violent? What did he do?’ Fi frowned.
‘You’ll need to ask her, but he eventually made a spectacle of himself in front of a room full of others at an exhibition, not just in front of Daisy, so it isn’t just her word against his. I’m afraid you’re going to have to ask her the rest. It’s her story to tell and I think I’ve said enough. I just need you to listen to me and be warned about this guy.’
Fi sighed. ‘I suppose if you’ve been speaking to my brother about this then you really are concerned about me.’
He nodded. ‘I didn’t mean to go behind your back but I was worried that unless someone intervened you could get hurt.’
Fi nodded. Her shoulders drooped and she crossed her legs, resting her elbows on her knees. ‘If I’m perfectly honest I think I knew deep down that he was too good to be true, but didn’t want to hear it. I feel stupid for not believing Daisy.’ She looked up at him. ‘Daisy isn’t a liar. I should have accepted what she told me instead of listening to that creep.’
He stood up, walked around to her side and rested his hand on her shoulders. ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself. Daisy said he was very convincing when he wanted to be. She doesn’t feel badly towards you, just concerned that he’ll push things too far and you’ll get hurt.’
Fi shook her head. ‘I feel such a fool.’
‘Don’t. We’re just relieved you’re listening and are now aware of what he’s up to.’
She stood up and gave him a brief hug. ‘Thanks, Gabe, I really appreciate you bothering enough about me to contact my brother and speak to me like this.’
‘No problem at all.’ He stepped away from her and held open the office door. ‘Now you’d better get back to reception and let Daisy know you’re aware about Phil, or Aaron, or whatever he’s calling himself now.’
‘I’m a little nervous,’ she said. ‘He knows I’m working a shift now and might come here to find me.’
‘It’s fine. Once you’ve spoken to Daisy I’ll give you a lift home. He won’t expect you to be there and you can lock yourself in until your brother returns. I’m only down the road and a phone call away, and can come over at any time if you need me to.’