‘How was Jorgos’ shoulder?’ Maria asks later, once they are seated on the shore overlooking the water, which unfolds, uninterrupted, into an unbroken blue sky.
‘Hmm?’ David is distracted again, taking a second to register her question before answering. ‘Oh, fine.’
‘David.’ She takes his hand, willing him to look at her. ‘I think we need to leave.’
‘Leave? What are you talking about?’
Maria speaks slowly, keeping her voice calm. ‘I don’t trust them.’
‘Trust who?’
‘Jorgos, and that meathead, Hans. I don’t think they have our best interests at heart.’
‘Why would you say that?’ He pulls his hand away from her defensively.
‘You said it yourself, Jorgos is clearly siding with Jeff.’
‘This isn’t primary school, Maria, there aren’t sides.’
‘No,’ Maria says, her voice losing its patience. ‘It’s a multi-billion dollar company that Clive and you have a major stake in – now with Clive gone, don’t you think it’s possible that … I don’t know, David, maybe they’re trying to control you?’
David shakes his head, less confidently this time, and so she presses on.
‘With Clive gone, and Jeff pushing for things you’re not comfortable with, isn’t it possible that Jeff has charged Jorgos with watching you, controlling you, under the guise of protection?’
‘I don’t understand what you’re saying,’ David says, childlike, though she can see he is listening.
‘I’m saying we need to go somewhere – just you and me. Anywhere we like, within reason. The point is to get you somewhere where you can be autonomous, start the conversations you need to have with your other business partners, without Jeff as a constant intermediary.’
She reaches again for David’s hand and this time he doesn’t resist. ‘Look, I don’t like saying this, but they’re trying to push you out. Without your father, they think you’re weak. How long do you expect to stay here, under their watch? They’re not keeping you safe, they’re keeping you where they can monitor you. We’re their prisoners, David.’
Maria lowers her voice, aware of one of the maids cleaning down the sun loungers at the edge of the garden. She focuses on the thought of Madeleine’s message, and then continues. ‘Where we go is up to you. You could instruct your pilot to take us straight there. Without Jorgos. It has to be dictated by your job, by where makes sense for the business. You have to step up, before they crush you.’
After lunch, Maria goes to bed for a nap, leaving David to head outside with his phone. She is awoken by the sound of movement in the bedroom.
‘What are you doing?’ she asks, sitting up in bed.
‘I’m packing,’ David replies, without looking up.
‘What?’
‘You’re right. We need to get out of here. Tomorrow …’
‘Tomorrow?’ Maria sits up. ‘What? I don’t understand …’
‘I’ve arranged it all.’ David doesn’t look at her. ‘The pilot is coming to collect us at noon.’
‘Noon?’
‘What’s the matter? I thought you’d be pleased.’
‘I am, it’s just … Where are we going?’