Chapter Twenty-Three
Joanna. Before the kidnapping.
Icheck my reflection in the mirror. Behind me, Danny stands motionless, watching – but it’s as if he’s seeing right through me.
‘What do you think?’ I ask, twirling for him. ‘Think it’s okay? It cost enough.’
He nods, distracted.
‘Are you worried about this client?’ I ask, sliding my arms around his waist.
‘I love that perfume,’ he murmurs, burying his face in my neck.
‘Danny… are you okay?’
He lifts his head and flashes a wide, practised smile. ‘Of course. It’s just… Rupert can be a bit intense. I don’t want you to feel intimidated.’
I laugh. ‘Me, intimidated? That’ll be the day.’ The doorbell rings. ‘That’ll be the sitter,’ I say.
Danny grabs his jacket, and I drape a silk shawl over my shoulders. We head downstairs and let the sitter in. I rattle off instructions on how to reach us, Joel’s bedtime routine and where the snacks are, all while trying not to sound like a helicopter parent.
‘Call me any time if you’re worried. Don’t worry about disturbing us. I’d much rather know,’ I tell her.
Karen has sat for us a few times, and while I would have preferred Nicola, I didn’t want Nicola to think we were taking her for granted.
As we settle into the taxi, I turn to Danny. ‘So, fill me in. What’s he like?’
Danny exhales heavily. ‘The kind who enjoys throwing money around.’
There’s an edge to his voice. Is it bitterness?
‘He’s been a good client, though, hasn’t he? It's nice of him to buy us dinner.’
Truthfully, I’m more excited about seeing the casino than meeting Rupert. I hoped Danny would be excited too, but the closer we get, the more on edge he seems.
When we step into the casino, I can’t help but gasp at its opulence. Crystal chandeliers glitter overhead, while the air hums with anticipation and possibility. My heart leaps, torn between awe and excitement. It’s as if I’ve stepped into a realm where time ceases to exist.
‘Another world, isn’t it?’ comes a deep voice beside me.
I turn. An immaculately dressed man smiles warmly at me.
He exudes an air of refined elegance; he’s wearing an impeccably tailored suit that whispers of sophistication.
A silk tie, knotted with precision, adds a touch of colour, and his eyes, sharp and discerning, reveal a man who knows the power of presentation.
Every gesture, every fold of fabric, speaks of confidence and taste.
‘You must be Joanna,’ he says. ‘Your husband forgot to mention how beautiful you are.’
Danny’s hand tightens around mine. ‘I’m a lucky man,’ he says, but there’s strain in his voice.
We’re led to a private table and treated like royalty. Water is served in cut crystal. The buzz of the gaming floor feels distant, almost muted. For a moment, I’m floating in a world of luxury.
Danny is quieter than usual. He smiles and nods, but something’s off. I can feel it, under the surface, like a vibration in the floor you can’t quite hear.
The meal, though, is spectacular. I can’t wait to tell Gil. We begin with caviar, followed by braised duck in an orange sauce, and then the lightest, most divine strawberry roulade I’ve ever tasted. We finish with a platter of cheese and biscuits, liqueurs and coffee.
Danny is subdued throughout the meal, but Nic more than makes up for that quietness. Nic is loud, quickly becomes drunk, and snaps his fingers at the waiters as if he owns the place. It is mortifying.
‘So, how’s that gorgeous surgeon friend of yours?’ he asks me, slurring his words.
‘She’s very well, thank you,’ I reply coolly, while thinking I can’t very well say she thinks you’re a prick.
Rupert pushes back his chair. ‘Casino time,’ he announces.
***
Every time we win, I feel like a two-year-old. My excitement seems to rub off on Rupert, who keeps handing me chips. Danny offers to pay for them, but Rupert adamantly refuses.
‘My gift to your beautiful wife,’ he says.
I feel Danny tense beside me. ‘We should go soon,’ he whispers in my ear.
I look around for a clock, but there doesn’t seem to be one.
‘You’re not going yet, are you?’ says Nic. ‘Let’s get some more champagne.’
Danny is drinking too much. I’ve stuck to water. I can’t risk being hungover when I’m on call tomorrow.
‘Perhaps a coffee for you,’ suggests Rupert as Danny and Nic disappear. I worry about Nic. He’s a bad influence. Maybe we should go home.
I gather my chips and hand them to Rupert, who looks insulted.
‘My dear lady, those are a gift.’
‘But there are thousands here,’ I say.
‘Don’t worry. Buy yourself a beautiful dress. Let me get you a coffee.’
I look around for Danny, but can’t see him anywhere.
‘One coffee,’ I say. ‘And thank you for your kindness. I must phone our sitter, if that’s okay?’
It’s only when I get outside and see the time on my phone that I realise the evening has flown by. It’s one thirty a.m. I apologise to the sitter and tell her we’ll be back soon and will make it up to her. Fortunately, she’s fine about it. I decide to leave the coffee and find Danny.
The clatter of roulette wheels spinning, followed by the bouncing of the ball as it finds its place, coupled with the screams of excitement, are giving me a headache. I’m about to phone Danny when I see him walking towards me.
‘Where have you been?’ I ask. ‘I was about to phone you.’
‘I’ve been trying to talk her into having a coffee, but she won’t have any of it,’ says Rupert.
‘It’s late, Danny,’ I say. ‘We should get home.’
We thank Rupert for his generosity, say goodnight, and make our exit.
‘I’ll be in touch,’ he says.