“Are you nervous?”
Am I? A shiver passes through me as I think about the evening ahead. “I suppose I am a little, but in a good way.”
Darren smiles and hands me a glass of wine and I smile my thanks. Yes, Darren has proven to be a good friend when I needed one the most and was the first person I turned to when the shock hit.
He looks around him and shakes his head. “I always knew you had a lovely home, but even I never appreciated just how magnificent this place is.”
Looking around, I must agree with him. This house is magnificent, like the man who provided it. A lone tear escapes as I think about Anton. He must have been in Hell before he died. Darren walks over and says softly, “Hey, no more tears. He wouldn’t want that, not tonight.”
I smile through them and say with a break in my voice, “It’s hard, though.”
Darren takes my glass from my hand and pulls me close, stroking my hair and whispering, “I’ve got your back. We’ll do this together—for Anton.”
I lean into him and marvel at how things have changed. Anton was always my rock, the man I loved and my best friend and now he’s gone his place has been partially filled by an amazing man. Darren is just a friend, despite what my friends may believe when they see him. To be honest, I couldn’t care less because the people that matter know already. They understand that he has helped me out with a problem that was way too big for me. He’s been there to prop me up when I couldn’t stand for grief and his family has helped me solve a mystery that hurts so much every time I think about it.
Pulling away, I say softly, “Thank you.”
He shrugs and smiles sweetly. “I will always be here for you, babe. Don’t worry about that.”
As I look around, it settles my heart a little that I’m not doing this on my own. Who knows what will happen when I play my trump card, but until then, I must play the perfect hostess and make this an evening no one will ever forget?
As the soft music that Anton loved so much pipes through the house and the fire burns in the grate, creating a welcome atmosphere, I gaze around me with satisfaction. Yes, this is the perfect place to get justice for Anton. Now all I need are the players.
It doesn’t take long before the doorbell rings and I take a deep breath and grin. “Here goes nothing.”
Darren waits while I head towards the front door and wonder who will be first. As I open the door, I’m happy to see Arabella standing beside Anthony, although from the expression in her eye, something’s happened. I wonder what he’s done now. Anthony, on the other hand, looks as if he hasn’t got a care in the world and smiles happily. “Fleur, darling, you are as gorgeous as always. The break must have done you good.”
I smile politely and welcome them inside, taking pleasure in seeing the surprise on Anthony’s face as he sees Darren behind me. “Oh, I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure.”
He holds out his hand and says loudly, “Anthony and you are?”
“Darren, a friend of Fleurs.”
He turns to Arabella and winks. “Looking good, Bella.”
Anthony stiffens at the familiar greeting, and Arabella laughs. “Hi Darren, it’s good to see you.”
She turns to Anthony and says with an impish grin. “Darren’s a personal trainer at the country club as well as being Fleur’s trainer. He’s a great favourite with us all.”
We all share a smile as Anthony looks a little put out and luckily the doorbell rings, removing me from the situation. I leave them to it and find Venetia and Matthew looking so happy it brings a tear to my eye. I don’t miss that they are holding hands and notice that Venetia is looking the happiest I’ve seen her in years. Matthew says sweetly, “It’s good to see you, Fleur. We’ve missed you.”
I smile and kiss him on both cheeks before hugging Venetia and whispering, “You look amazing. What’s your secret?”
She smiles and taps the side of her nose. “All in good time, honey.”
As they follow me inside, I already know. It’s obvious. The only thing that surprises me is that they’re so happy about it. Matthew perhaps, but Venetia never struck me as the maternal type. I feel uneasy about what may happen and say a little too brightly, “Guys. Look who I’ve found.”
I watch carefully and notice Anthony nod coolly and Arabella walks forward, smiling sweetly. “Venetia, how lovely you look and Matthew, I need to return your car first thing tomorrow morning.”
He looks surprised. “You can keep it for as long as you like, you know that.”
Anthony moves to stand beside his wife and smiles. “No need. Arabella’s Porsche is being delivered home where it belongs.”
We all stare at him in surprise as he says happily, “I have my old job back, and the future is looking amazing.”
I watch everyone’s reaction and although a little surprised, everybody congratulates him along with Arabella, who looks a little uncomfortable. While everyone is talking, I grab her arm and steer her into the kitchen. “What’s going on?”
I’m surprised as the tears well up in her eyes as she says sadly, “Rather a lot as it happens. I can’t talk now, but I’m not happy and could do with a friend to talk to.”
We are interrupted by Anthony coming in search of his wife and he says in a whisper, “For god’s sake, don’t leave me with that couple. They could bore a man to death.”
I peer at him in surprise, as does Arabella, and he shrugs. “What? I’ve never liked them.”
Leaving them to it, I head to the door again as the final ring announces the last couple to arrive. As expected, Miranda stands there looking a little lost, and she says apologetically, “James will be along in a minute. He had to take a phone call as we were walking out of the door.”
“That’s ok. It doesn’t matter. At least you’re here. Let me get you a drink.”
I don’t think anything about Miranda hanging back a little as I head into the kitchen, but as I turn, I see her hurriedly removing her hand from the hall table. As she heads toward me, my eyes make out a gold object shining on the surface and the room spins. That wasn’t there a moment ago and now it all makes sense. Anton’s missing Rolex. I’d recognise it anywhere and when his parents reported it missing, I wondered where it could have gone. Now Miranda has unwittingly solved the riddle for me. Was it James or did she take it? I’ll probably never find out, but I’m glad it’s back and I can return it to Anton’s parents where it should be.
Taking a deep breath, I head into the room and my eyes search for Darren. He smiles reassuringly and I feel my lip tremble. Now they’re here, I’m not sure I can go through with this, however, I can’t until the final player arrives. I wonder where James is?