childrenâs mother as she looked at Lucyâs downbent head, and wondered cynically if it was just that the childrenâs swimming things had been forgotten or if she had deliberately sent them away with the wrong clothes in order to make life difficult for their father.
âWell, perhaps you could ask Daddy to buy some new things for you?â she suggested practically. The resort had any number of shops selling clothes and, whilst they might be expensive, Sir Peter Verey did not strike her as a man who had to watch his budget!
A maid came in to clear away the breakfast things, and through the open door Suzy could see a powerfully built man standing in the hallway.
One of Lukeâs men? Although there was no obvious evidence of the villa being heavily guarded, Suzy suspected that if she tried to make any attempt to leave she would find that she wasnât allowed to get very far.
Idly she wondered just what it was that demanded Lukeâs presence here. Certainly the soldiers she had seen departing must have something to do with it. It must be politically delicate rather than dangerous, she suspected, otherwise the children wouldnât be here. Sir Peter might not be a particularly hands-on father, but surely he wouldnât risk exposing his children to danger?
âItâs no use us asking Daddy to take us shopping. Heâll just say that heâs too busy.â Lucy informed Suzy, her words breaking into her thoughts.
The weary resignation in her voice made Suzyâs heart ache for her. It told of a small lifetime of being told that her parents were âtoo busyâ.
âBut Suzy could take us! Lucy, letâs go and ask Daddy if she can!â Charlie suggested excitedly, getting off his chair.
âIf she can what?â
Suzy spun round as Sir Peter and Luke came into the room.
âDaddy, Mummy forgot to pack our swimsuits and our shorts and things,â Lucy answered her father, a little reluctantly.
She obviously felt that what she was saying was a betrayal of her mother, Suzy recognised.
âYes, and we want Suzy to take us out and buy some new ones,â Charlie added importantly.
Suzy could feel both Sir Peter and Luke looking at her. The relaxed approval in Sir Peterâs eyes certainly wasnât mirrored in Lukeâs.
Suzyâs heart gave a painful jerk. The sight of him was releasing the despair and anguish she had been fighting to ignore. Self-contempt and misery crawled through her veins like poison. And yet, as she dragged her gaze from Lukeâs face, Suzy acknowledged that it wasnât the anger she should be feeling that was making her tremble inwardly, but a destructive and humiliating ache of longing!
She was distantly aware of Sir Peter exclaiming enthusiastically, âWhat an excellent idea! My dear, you are a godsend!â
âPeter, I donât thinkââ Luke began, an ominous expression in his eyes as he cast Suzy a freezing look of contempt.
âLuke, I know you want her all to yourself, and I canât blame you.â Sir Peter smiled. âBut we mustnât disappoint the children!â
Luke had intended to spend the morning catching up on some paperwork and trying to see if there wasnât some way that President Njambla could be pinned down to a definite date in order that he could wind up the whole exercise with as much speed as possible. He told himself he should have guessed that Suzy would try to pull this kind of trick.
He had already given orders that no one was to be allowed to leave the villa without his permission, and thanks to the high wall that surrounded the property it was impossible to leave other than via one of the discreetly guarded gates.
The staff all lived in, and had been thoroughly vetted, and it should have been an easy task to ensure that Suzy did not have any outside contact with anyone. He had taken possession of her mobile phone and her passport.
Taken possession! Luke
âWell, perhaps you could ask Daddy to buy some new things for you?â she suggested practically. The resort had any number of shops selling clothes and, whilst they might be expensive, Sir Peter Verey did not strike her as a man who had to watch his budget!
A maid came in to clear away the breakfast things, and through the open door Suzy could see a powerfully built man standing in the hallway.
One of Lukeâs men? Although there was no obvious evidence of the villa being heavily guarded, Suzy suspected that if she tried to make any attempt to leave she would find that she wasnât allowed to get very far.
Idly she wondered just what it was that demanded Lukeâs presence here. Certainly the soldiers she had seen departing must have something to do with it. It must be politically delicate rather than dangerous, she suspected, otherwise the children wouldnât be here. Sir Peter might not be a particularly hands-on father, but surely he wouldnât risk exposing his children to danger?
âItâs no use us asking Daddy to take us shopping. Heâll just say that heâs too busy.â Lucy informed Suzy, her words breaking into her thoughts.
The weary resignation in her voice made Suzyâs heart ache for her. It told of a small lifetime of being told that her parents were âtoo busyâ.
âBut Suzy could take us! Lucy, letâs go and ask Daddy if she can!â Charlie suggested excitedly, getting off his chair.
âIf she can what?â
Suzy spun round as Sir Peter and Luke came into the room.
âDaddy, Mummy forgot to pack our swimsuits and our shorts and things,â Lucy answered her father, a little reluctantly.
She obviously felt that what she was saying was a betrayal of her mother, Suzy recognised.
âYes, and we want Suzy to take us out and buy some new ones,â Charlie added importantly.
Suzy could feel both Sir Peter and Luke looking at her. The relaxed approval in Sir Peterâs eyes certainly wasnât mirrored in Lukeâs.
Suzyâs heart gave a painful jerk. The sight of him was releasing the despair and anguish she had been fighting to ignore. Self-contempt and misery crawled through her veins like poison. And yet, as she dragged her gaze from Lukeâs face, Suzy acknowledged that it wasnât the anger she should be feeling that was making her tremble inwardly, but a destructive and humiliating ache of longing!
She was distantly aware of Sir Peter exclaiming enthusiastically, âWhat an excellent idea! My dear, you are a godsend!â
âPeter, I donât thinkââ Luke began, an ominous expression in his eyes as he cast Suzy a freezing look of contempt.
âLuke, I know you want her all to yourself, and I canât blame you.â Sir Peter smiled. âBut we mustnât disappoint the children!â
Luke had intended to spend the morning catching up on some paperwork and trying to see if there wasnât some way that President Njambla could be pinned down to a definite date in order that he could wind up the whole exercise with as much speed as possible. He told himself he should have guessed that Suzy would try to pull this kind of trick.
He had already given orders that no one was to be allowed to leave the villa without his permission, and thanks to the high wall that surrounded the property it was impossible to leave other than via one of the discreetly guarded gates.
The staff all lived in, and had been thoroughly vetted, and it should have been an easy task to ensure that Suzy did not have any outside contact with anyone. He had taken possession of her mobile phone and her passport.
Taken possession! Luke
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