Blue Moon #3 (Story of Us Series - Into the Blue) - Sydney Jamesson Page 0,4

she says, “There are a couple of other notes in your diary.”

“Yes?” I reach for my coffee, taking a few seconds to curb my belligerence.

She deserves better.

“That young boy you had round to Stone Heath, Jamie…?”

“Yes?”

“He called first thing this morning. I told him you were in a meeting and that I would pass the message on.” She flips back a page. “I quote, ‘Ask Ayden if he’s got time to show me some moves. I could do with learning a few.’”

I understand his message perfectly, so much so it makes my mouth twitch. “Okay. I know what he means.” I take a look at my computer screen. It’s Monday—again—another week spent alone in an empty house.

Spending time with him in the gym will kill a few hours until bedtime…

“Call him back and tell him that Lester will pick him up at seven o’clock tonight—and to bring his gym gear and a towel.”

“Very well.” She lowers her pad and pen and glances up at me. “And what about the arrangement you have made with Mr. Pendleton? Would you like me to call him and arrange a meeting?”

In the subtlest of ways she is showing me her allegiance. “Thank you, Charlotte. That’s a good idea. He mentioned a fitting…” I lean back into my chair resignedly. “I don’t know what it entails but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.”

“Indeed. I’ll give him a call right away.” Without another word, she exits my office, closing the doors silently behind her.

Turns out the highlight of my day will be going a few rounds with Elise’s son. I hope that kid’s not going to pussyfoot around or I’ll become very bored, very quickly.

THE LAUNCH APPEARS FROM the harbour, instantly recognisable by a faint hum that fast becomes a motorised roar announcing the arrival of Sam Bellamy.

She’s finding it difficult to speak with an open mouth fixed in that awestruck O shape that I, too, must have adopted on first seeing this spectacular boat. She would have been expecting five star accommodations—for sure—but this is something else.

Phil takes her hand and helps her aboard, drawing as little attention as possible to the fact that the deck is awash with muscle bound men and my personal bodyguard, Bernie. My shipmates are a close knit band of brothers who appear to have an aversion to changes in plans and the arrival of unscheduled guests. Ms. Bellamy’s arrival has upset the status quo—but not for long.

She’s just as I remembered her, tall, slim, the wrong side of thirty-five. She has an eye for detail and there is not much she has missed in her three-minute appraisal. The only thing missing from those sharp eyes is the colour—they most certainly are not grey. Even in the fading light, it’s as plain as the nose on her face: they are blue.

I reach out my hand. “Welcome on board, I’m Beth Stone as I’m sure you already know. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Let me show you to your cabin.” She reaches for her luggage. “You can leave your bags here. One of the crew will bring them down for you. They need the exercise.” We share the joke and observe no more than a smirk and a raised eyebrow as Phil moves to one side, allowing her to pass.

The guest cabin has an en-suite bathroom, an enormous bed and an array of well-appointed furniture and accessories. It was previously occupied by Christian, our Captain, who had no objection to bunking with the rest of the crew. Now only Sam, Bernie, Richard and myself have individual cabins.

I remove the towel bundle from her bed and place it on the counter in the en-suite bathroom. “I hope this cabin’s to your liking?”

“Liking! Dear God! It’s palatial compared to my apartment.” She bounces on the bed, causing the cushions to bounce along with her. “So this is how the other half live?”

I offer an amicable smile in response. “I suppose it is, but you can thank my husband. He doesn’t believe in doing anything by halves.”

“In that case. I congratulate him on his good taste.”

I’m laughing under my breath. “Yeah, he gets that a lot. I’ll pass on your regards when I next see him. And please call me Beth.”

“Thank you, Beth. I’ll try to remember. I just need a few minutes to catch my breath.” She runs her hand along the delicate bed linen. “I must say your team are very efficient. Everything ran like clockwork. Even the