Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
One year later
J onathan and Benny splashed each other in the crystal-clear pool, while his current girl giggled and tried to dodge the water droplets. Cynthia, with the sun beating down on her skin, lay on the plush daybed, her fingers trailing over the pages of her book. The sound of laughter and playful screams filled the air, blending with the soft rustling of palm trees and the distant hum of motorboats. She smiled contentedly, taking in the lively scene before her, the same way she had for the past twelve months.
Jennifer descended the cool, smooth stone steps, her hand extended with a mobile phone. Cynthia’s heart sank as she saw the device, knowing what was about to be said.
“I’m sorry, Cyn,” Jennifer’s voice was low and solemn.
Cynthia could feel the chill as she braced herself for the news. She knew Jennifer wasn’t sorry about Cynthia’s father’s passing, though. She was sorry they would have to leave Lake Como.
Cynthia’s breath caught in her throat as she leaned in closer to Jennifer.
“Is it bad that I’m thankful he’s dead?” she whispered, the words barely audible over the sound of the lake lapping against the shore.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint aroma of flowers, and Cynthia could feel her heart racing as she waited for Jennifer’s response.
“No. Take the call. I’ll pack our bags. How long do you think?”
“All my clothes for parading around as a Turner are at the hall. Just enough for travelling and a day’s worth of clothes in case we’re delayed. I’m not planning on staying long.”
Jennifer nodded and then walked away.
Cynthia bored holes into the back of Jonathan’s head until he turned. Then she brought the phone to her ear.
“Hello, Bailey,” she said, loud enough for Jonathan to hear. “Yes, I understand … okay … I’ll be back tomorrow … yes … goodbye.”
By the time Cynthia had ended the call, Jonathan was out of the pool, rubbing himself down with a towel.
“Has he gone?”
“Yes,” Cynthia said and looked at her lap. “Last night in his sleep. Heart attack, Bailey says.”
“Who will tell the children?”
“Bailey. He let me know on that call he would get in touch with Archer. They’re all together on the rig, so they’ll hear the news together.”
“So that’s the end of us out here then,” Jonathan said it like a statement, not a question.
“Absolutely not. I’ll go home to bury him, and then I’ll be right back. He didn’t think I was good enough to run the island while he was alive. I’ll be buggered if I let him rule my life now he’s dead.”
Jonathan gave her a slow grin. “That’s my girl.”
“I’ll be back before you know it. I’m assuming you don’t want to come with me?”
“If you want me there, I will be, but if you’re just going for formalities, then I’ll stay here.”
“I don’t want to be there, so I won’t make you go. I’m sure there will be a will reading, although that’s a foregone conclusion. As soon as everything is in order. I’ll be back.”
“Great. When will you leave?”
“Not until tomorrow. We have plans for dinner. No need to change them.”
“Even better.”