Twenty-Seven
The next night we take a small party of important people to the Restaurant Mirazur in Menton. We are driving with Preeti and
Pavit, clearly their guests of honor. The limo bar is stocked with champagne and tequila, but I demur, opting for mineral
water. Perhaps I will have a glass of wine with dinner, but that is all. Jerome talks to Preeti, while Pavit focuses his attention
on me.
“You must be a special woman,” he says, his voice kind. “I have never heard Preeti speak so highly of anyone in the business
world.”
“I think the world of her.” I wonder if she has talked to him about our foundation idea. I wonder whether that was the result
of her drinking, or whether it is real. I am too scared to ask, have decided to wait until Preeti brings it up again.
“I hear you have a trip to Mumbai. I would love you to come and meet the family, but we won’t be there.”
“That’s such a shame. I’d love to meet them too.”
He looks at me thoughtfully. “I know this is unusual, but we will be at our family compound off the coast of Kenya.” He looks
embarrassed. “It’s actually a small island in the Lamu Archipelago.”
“Oh! I’ve heard of Lamu! It’s meant to be beautiful!”
“It is. We own a small island off the coast. We’re leaving on Monday and heading there for a few days with the family before
we head back to Mumbai. I wonder if you and Jerome would like to join us?”
“On a family trip?”
“Why not? Now that ipryy and Inferno are bound together, you are part of our family. You will meet my wife and children, and
my parents. Preeti will be there, of course, and some of our cousins. Lots of children, lots of excellent food, and lots of
fun. You don’t have to do anything other than lie in a hammock all day and let our staff bring you delicious food and drink.”
“That’s so incredibly kind of you.”
“I’d love to get to know both of you better. It’s a serious offer. Come!”
Preeti looks over. “Come where?”
“I’ve just invited Missy and Jerome to the island next week.”
“Island?” Jerome questions.
“Yes!” Preeti claps her hands together. “We have an island off the coast of Kenya! Yes! That’s a brilliant idea! You have
to come! Please say yes, Missy! Come to the island before you go to India!”
I look to Jerome for guidance, and I can see that he wants to go. Do I want to go? I think. I am so used to doing things for other people, for my father, making other people happy, that I’m not
even sure where my own feelings reside sometimes.
“How far is it from India?” asks Jerome.
“Pffft,” Preeti dismisses this as a minor inconvenience. “Who cares! We’re only on this planet once—why not have as many experiences
as you can.” She shrugs, as if travel is nothing. “Have jet, will travel,” she laughs.
I look at Jerome, knowing he is weighing up the practicality, whether this is too much, whether we should be going.
“My friend—” Pavit claps his hand on Jerome’s back, looking deep into his eyes “—it would be my honor to host you, and you are welcome to join us on our plane. Have your pilot meet us at the airport on Monday. We will leave in the morning.”
Jerome looks at me, at the smile I am unable to suppress.
“Why not?” he says as Preeti and I clap our hands in delight.