before my time, before we found each other.”
She settles herself, preparing for a long, drawn out interview. “Found? That’s a nice way of putting it.”
“That’s the way it happened. We were meant to be together, but an odd assortment of obstacles was put in our way, preventing us from getting together.” I tuck the blanket around my waist and begin. “We knew each other as children and Ayden made me a promise that he would find me. I waited for him.”
She’s stunned. “I had no idea.”
“No one does, other than a few close family members. So this … this separation has been staged. We couldn’t be apart even if we wanted to, the connection between us is too strong—it’s like a gravitational pull. Keeping us apart would be like holding back the tides. It’s just not possible.”
“I usually stick with the facts, I save the embellishment for the tabloids, but you know what, Beth? I believe you. Not because he’s set you up here in this floating palace, but because of the way your face softens at the mention of his name.” She reaches across to pat my hand. “I’m not known for my romantic streak, but even I can appreciate what is must be like to be that connected to someone.”
“Have you been married?” I ask.
“No. I lived with a guy for six years,” she explains. “I thought he was the one.”
“What happened?”
“He screwed my friend and I caught them at it when I came home early from an assignment. I thought I’d surprise him. Ha! Mission accomplished.” She laughs sardonically, recalling the moment she came face to face with them doing the horizontal tango.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. But what about more recently…?”
“In the past couple of years, there have been a few relationships but nothing serious, nothing on your grand scale.” She smiles warmly.
“I’m sure you’ve done your research on the way over here.”
She nods unselfconsciously.
“What did you discover?” I lean back and brace myself for her appraisal of my life and my marriage.
She sniggers, anticipating her reply. “I discovered that your husband has some friends in very high places.”
We both laugh at the suggestion. “What do you mean?”
“I mean the minimal coverage I’ve seen of some of the most appalling incidents involving the two of you.”
“For example?”
“For example … I wonder how many people know that Elizabeth Parker-Stone killed a man?”
Her directness hits me like a body blow. “Very few, I should think. It was self-defence, you know that, right? Dan Rizler had been looking for me for over seven years. If it hadn’t been for Ayden coming to my rescue he’d have raped me, kidnapped me and killed me eventually in the most horrific of circumstances. I had no choice.”
She prepares to press me further. “I see. So you knew he was looking for you?”
“I assumed he was. That’s why I kept under the radar, kept to myself. Changed my name and moved away as soon as I got my degree.” The words come easily.
“What did he do to you at uni that made you hide away?” She bites her lip. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“He and a couple of friends grabbed me one night and he raped me. It could have been much worse but … but they were interrupted. After that he started stalking me, broke into my apartment, stole things—made my life a living hell.”
She looks genuinely sympathetic. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. There’s nothing about any of this in the media.”
I confess willingly. “That’s thanks to my husband. He’s very protective of me, always has been. That’s why I’m here,”
“But Dan Rizler is dead and so is that crazy woman who died in the car accident. I forget her name...”
“Elise Richards.”
“Yes, that’s it. You have to be two of the unluckiest people I know. Seems like that gravitational pull you mentioned has attracted good and bad to both of you.”
“I suppose it must have.” I consider my reply. “You can’t choose what fate has in store for you, only deal with things when they present themselves.”
“That’s a good philosophy. Excuse me for stating the obvious, but what happens now? How will you resolve this situation without getting hurt? It doesn’t look good.”
Her honesty is refreshing. I prepare to reward it with the facts. “You’re right. What have you seen and heard?”
“Too much! There’s a video on YouTube of you and your husband arguing at Heathrow. You slap him across the face and storm off.” She