That evening, she arrived at the restaurant to find Becky waiting for her. They both pretended Eva’s eyes weren’t swollen from crying as they hugged and settled in to a comfortable table with a good view of the room.

She brought her friend up to speed on her whirlwind twenty-four hours and ended with. “So I’m on a plane to London in two weeks, with no idea what I’m supposed to be expecting from a woman I met once.”

Becky humphed and said. “And what about this lawyer guy? He’s sweeping in pretty high-handedly, are you sure he’s legit.”

“I checked him out on social media and his company’s website this morning. All above board.”

“I’m not convinced. That stuff’s easy to fake.”

Never mind that Eva would be far more likely than Becky to spot an online fake. She stayed silent and let Stephen’s sister dig herself into the perfect hole.

“You need someone to vet him in real life.”

Eva took a casual sip of her wine. “I’m glad you think so. He’s dropping by here later to pick up an agreement I told him I wanted your eye on. You can check him out and report back to your mother.”

“What agreement?”

Eva pulled the document from her bag and put it on the table in front of Becky. “Scope or terms of service or something. It looks pretty straightforward, but you’ve read more business contracts than I have…”

Becky frowned but, after a careful perusal, agreed. The document was clean and clear.

David made his appearance as their main course was being cleared. Eva waved him over and watched her friend out of the corner of her eye as the lawyer crossed the room towards them. Yep, definitely Becky’s type.

He didn’t stay long, just enough time to confirm Eva’s approval of the agreement, check her hotel was still acceptable, and promise details of flights and London hotels the next day.

After he left, Becky said. “If he’s single and straight, he is going to be the best revenge I could possibly pull on my shit of a brother. Make sure you give him my number before you leave the country.”

After that, everything seemed to fall into place. Eva tied up her work commitments, was pampered by the hotel staff, and pretended she didn’t cry herself to sleep over the empty space in the bed each night.

Sierra was still messaging questions like a mad thing when Eva switched off her phone before boarding the plane to London. Business class, of course, David Yip’s assistant hadn’t even given her the choice when making the booking, and the photos of her London hotel looked like something out of a high-end magazine as well. There were worse ways to try and take your mind off a heartbreak.

Her lawyer had accompanied her to the airport, bowing slightly as she joined the line to go through security. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms Stone, and I hope you find the destiny you wish for in the UK.”

“Thank you, and I hope you enjoy dinner with Becky this evening.”

He flushed, just a little, but a small smile escaped his stone-faced, professional façade. “I believe I will. And I’m sure she’ll let you know either way.”

She settled into her seat on the plane and realised, she had fourteen hours of nothing ahead of her. No meetings, no projects, no friends being distracting, no hotel gym. How had she forgotten to buy a book? It was her favourite way to pass a flight but now she was going to be at the mercy of whatever was on the in-flight movie channels.

There were way too many rom-coms. In the end she watched a couple of documentaries, a crime movie she switched off halfway through, and two movies from the kids’ channel. Sleep had never been an option.

Eva was collected by a smart-looking driver holding a board with her name on it in the Arrivals Hall. He asked about her flight, and the purpose of her trip, then tactfully fell silent. The flight had arrived on time, just after six in the evening, and it felt strange driving in bright daylight one to two hours later. She’d heard about the long summer twilights but hadn’t been able to picture it. In Hong Kong, dusk lasted about fifteen minutes.

They drew up in front of a wide, ornate building on a busy street near what her phone told her was Hyde Park. The car door was opened, and she and her luggage were whisked inside with a polite sense of purpose Eva always associated with her Dad.

The chatty but efficient woman at the desk checked her in, and encouraged to order room service, or pop down to the restaurant, once she was settled, and handed the key card to her room.

Crossing the lobby to the lifts, she was jolted out of her pleasantly detached brain fog by her mother’s voice. “Eva? Is that you?”

She turned to see her parents walking out of the restaurant. Her mother air-kissed both cheeks before releasing her to her father’s hug. As she emerged, her mother looked around. “But where’s dear Stephen. You can’t have come all this way without him.”

“Stephen and I split up.”

Her mother tutted and pulled out her phone. “Don’t be ridiculous. Whatever little spat you had isn’t worth breaking up with such a lovely man. I’ll just give him a call and smooth things over. What do you need to apologise for?”

“I walked in on him fucking Mia.”

Her mother put the phone away, her cheeks burning red. “Language Eva, please.”

Her father tucked Eva under one arm. “It sounds like you’re well rid of him then,” he hushed her mother then patted Eva’s shoulder. “Now you look done in and it’s not surprising, so how about you toddle up to your room, order some wine with dinner and we’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.”

They didn’t change. Eva leaned into him for a moment. “Yes Dad.”

She pulled away and headed for the lift. “See you tomorrow.”

The lift doors closed on her mother saying. “But he was so nice – handsome, clever, good income. Surely they could…”

No they absolutely couldn’t. Hopefully her father would be able to reconcile her mother to a Stephen-free future before breakfast.

Related posts