Chapter 24 #2
The glare is quickly replaced by a swoony smile. Is it really that easy for a guy like Xavier to flip people’s opinion of him? ‘You too, darling boy.’
Darling boy! She wasn’t calling him a darling boy the first day I met her. No, Doris, the caftan-loving, immaculately made-up, jangly-bangle enthusiast previously claimed Xavier’s progress around the resort was a mistake and that his ego was running rampant, and now he’s ‘darling boy’?
When Xavier is out of sight she says, ‘Isn’t he just divine?’ Doris slinks up to the counter, her bangles jingling in harmony with each step. ‘Such a fine boy. Make a good husband, he would. Been raised right.’
‘If you say so.’
‘I do say so. And I’m not often wrong either.’
Outside, Xavier stops to chat to someone.
He soon raises his voice and Michel comes into view.
What is with those two? Michel’s face is like thunder as boss man keeps up a steady stream of what sound distinctly like criticisms from the odd words I manage to snatch.
Something about prying into private matters and leaving well enough alone.
So much drama on one tiny island! ‘I suppose you’re not going to enlighten me about what’s going on with Xavier and Michel? ’ I ask Doris.
‘It’s a clash of egos. Never mind all that. I’m here to invite you to a little game of gin rummy this evening. A few of us are getting together and putting a handful of rupees into the pot.’
I hold up a hand. ‘I might be new but I’m not na?ve. I’ve been warned about your little side hustle…’
‘Whatever do you mean, dear?’ She plays the innocent perfectly with her raised eyebrows, hand on her heart like I’m close to offending her by daring to voice such a thing.
‘I mean, I’ve been prewarned about you and the three Lucys.’
She gasps. ‘Well, I never! Don’t you dare put me in the same sentence with them, young lady! That Lucy is the culprit, would cheat a person soon as look at them, and as for the other two, well…’
‘I get it, you fleece the uninitiated for a few bucks here and there.’
Conflicting emotions flick across her face before she settles on guileless. ‘I – I would never commit such atrocious acts. I’m here to pick up my book order and thought I’d invite you as a show of friendship, that’s all.’
She persists, so I look to the pigeonhole for her book order. Aha! ‘Oh yeah, how do you explain this then?’ I push the book closer to her. ‘How to Cheat at Cards by Daniel Madison.’ I turn it over and read the back. ‘A guide to cheating techniques, sleight-of-hand and the mindset of a cheat.’
Her cheeks flame. Caught red handed! ‘Bloody Gus, I told him to wrap it for me. Give me that!’ She snatches the book from me. ‘This stays between us, Harper.’
‘Or what?’
Her eyes flash. ‘Or else I’ll fake a fall and say you pushed me over.’
I guffaw. ‘I don’t think that will work somehow, you little minx.’
‘Why?’
‘Security cameras.’ I point above and to the left of us.
‘Dammit.’
‘I won’t tell if you give me information.’
‘Such as?’
‘Such as what happened to Gus?’
Doris lets out a frustrated sigh. ‘He stole a bunch of money and took a speedboat to Mahé.’
I throw her a filthy look. ‘That’s how you’re going to play it?’
She shrugs. ‘Where do you see yourself in five years, Harper?’
The abrupt change in direction jars me. ‘What?’
She fiddles in her book tote and brandishes a flyer. ‘A pretty girl like you needs to consider her future. The future is female!’
‘Hmm.’ I fold my arms and stare her down.
With a cagey gleam in her eyes she says, ‘And the future is… time share.’ She lays the flyer on the counter, smoothing it out.
There’s a photo of a gleaming glass apartment block on a sunny island.
‘I happen to know someone who knows someone and can get you in on this deal for a fraction of the cost. You’ll have a sumptuous apartment to holiday in, full use of the mod cons, everything an independent woman needs.
Let’s start with your email address?’ She takes a pen from her tote and clicks it.
‘I don’t think so, Doris.’
Her face crumples as if she’s genuinely upset. Ooh, they’re good, these crafty expats. Got their performances down pat. ‘I’m not asking you to hand over any money! I’m merely inviting you to an information evening. Knowledge is power.’
‘No thanks.’
The cagey look is back. ‘Fine. You’re missing out on this wonderful opportunity to get in on the ground floor.’
‘It’s a risk I’m prepared to take.’ I purse my lips.
Her gaze narrows. ‘Mariola warned you about us, didn’t she?’
‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ I can’t help but smile, the little deviants.
Doris’s bracelets jangle as she stuffs the brochure and pen back in her tote. ‘I would. She’s the only one who can’t be bought, and trust me, we’ve tried.’
‘Well, now there are two of us.’
‘It’s early days.’
I give her a ‘try me’ stare.
She glares back.
I jiggle her new book and say, ‘Did you know this author also has a book titled Subterfuge? I overheard the three Lucys talking about it. It’s supposed to be full of card and sleight-of-hand tricks.
Maybe I should order a few copies in for them so they can heighten their skills.
’ Two can play at this game! My job is to sell books; even better if I can out-con these con women.
‘No!’ she says sharply. ‘Order it for me and don’t breathe a word of it to them. It’s three against one with that lot and how is that fair? I’ve got to always keep my wits about me when we’re playing mah-jongg or pinochle. Wily as foxes, they are.’
‘I suppose I could do that. But I’m going to need more information about Gus.’
‘What else could I possibly tell you? He’s on Mahé and that’s that.’
‘He didn’t retire then?’
She gives me a look that implies I’ve got bananas for brains. ‘No, of course he didn’t retire. He was forced to leave. And honestly, I don’t think he’ll come back. Not after the way things played out.’
‘How did they play out?’
She lets out a long sigh. ‘Dramatically, Harper. Keep up! Now order me that book and wrap it when it arrives, please, so that crafty trio don’t see it.
I’ve got to keep on my toes with the three Lucys.
Whatever you do, don’t let them fool you with their innocent old ladies act. Sharp as tacks, they are.’
‘And you’re not?’ Pot, kettle and all that.
‘No, of course I’m not. I’m simply studying them and their tricks so I don’t become a victim too.’