And with that, Ruby walked away. She left Belle, she walked through the crowd, depositing her glass on a passing waiter’s silver tray, and walked straight up to Archie.
‘I want to go,’ she said, and something in her tone told him she meant it.
‘Come on,’ he said without hesitation, and with his hand on her back, he steered her through the crowds.
Outside he hailed a cab.
‘It’s time to go back to Spain,’ Ruby said as she leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder.
He was wise enough not to question her just then. Instead, he nodded.
‘Then we go.’
Ruby knew she had to trust Belle to do the right thing for Cathy, or trust that Belle was scared enough of her not to betray her. It was a risk but then again, wasn’t everything?
CHAPTER 45
‘Come on, darlin’, let’s go and ’ave a nice day together. We’ll get our hair done and go for lunch at that restaurant you like.’
Back in Spain, Ruby was trying to cajole her daughter into going out with her for a girls’ day. There was a fiesta in the local town to celebrate the end of summer and the start of autumn, and it was always a joy to see the spectacle, mingle with the crowds, watch the processions, then head off for some pampering.
Cathy was reluctant at first, but after Archie handed her a wad of notes, she brightened. ‘Well, there is a dress I’ve seen. It’s gorgeous, Mum, and I’d like to try it on . . .’
Ruby was determined to spend as much time with Cathy as possible after Belle’s revelation. If her daughter was going to ask anyone for help, or seek comfort or reassurance, Ruby wanted to be the one who gave it to her. Belle’s words had shaken her up.
‘Let’s go in the sports car with the top down. We’ll be really flash today. Anyway, most of the staff will be off at the festival so there’s no point hangin’ around ’ere. We’ll ’ave a lovely day together.’ Ruby smiled at her daughter. The sun had left her with a smattering of freckles and a light tan that set off the colour of her eyes, exactly the same shade as Ruby’s.
Cathy was wearing a yellow sundress and flip-flops. She wore an ankle bracelet as her only jewellery, and looked relaxed and happy. The sight made Ruby’s heart swell.
‘You’ll be goin’ back to school in a few days so let’s make the most of our time together,’ she added, turning the car ignition and gliding off, the car emitting a deep throaty growl as they went.
It felt good to be out of the villa.
‘You OK, darlin’?’ Ruby asked as they drove down the road that wound along the hillside. Around them were pine trees firmly rooted in the rich red soil, their branches still in the heat.
‘Yeah, I’m OK, Mum,’ Cathy smiled, and the words were like warm honey to Ruby. It was the first real smile she’d seen on her daughter’s face since the attack and Ruby cherished it. Ruby started to relax too. She’s healing. She’s going to be OK, not the same, but OK, she thought.
They drove to the town, spent the day buying clothes, new shoes and make-up before ending the day at the salon.
It was almost six o’clock in the evening by the time they returned. Ruby’s tyres crunched on the gravel as they turned into the villa entrance.
‘Where are the guards?’
Ruby looked round as Cathy spoke.
‘Oh, I think your dad gave them the afternoon off but I thought he’d left a couple ’ere, just in case.’
Ruby frowned as she spotted a vehicle parked haphazardly outside the villa entrance. It was not the kind of car usually associated with their contacts. It was battered-looking and downmarket with scuffed tyres and dirty windows.
‘Who’s this? Do you know the car?’ Ruby asked, thinking perhaps it was one of Cathy’s friends borrowing one for the evening, but Cathy shrugged.
‘No idea. Probably somethin’ to do with Dad.’
Ruby wasn’t reassured by her daughter’s nonchalance. ‘Why don’t you stay ’ere and catch the last few rays of sunshine, darlin’ . . .’ she started to say, but Cathy had already swung out of the car and was heading for the entrance.
‘I’m tired, Mum. I’m goin’ inside.’
‘Wait!’ Ruby said as she got out of the car, and without shutting the door she hurried to the villa entrance. Suddenly, she felt a sense of foreboding. She started to reach inside her bag for her keys and then realised the door was already open.
Cathy, seemingly oblivious to her mum’s instincts, stepped inside.
The cool air greeted them. Cathy walked ahead. Ruby heard her heels tap on the white tiled floor, the sound – clack, clack, clack – echoing through the quiet corridor.
Where was everyone? Surely Archie hadn’t given them all the evening off? How trusting, how foolish of her husband . . . so very unlike him . . .
Ruby walked towards the large airy lounge. Then she heard Cathy scream.
There was the sound of a tussle, and a man’s voice she didn’t recognise. A bolt of panic went through her. She pushed open the lounge door. The first thing she saw was her daughter acting strangely, sitting bolt upright in one of the plush sofas, her eyes wide, her mouth open.
‘Cathy?’
Then, she saw Archie tied to a chair, his face bleeding, his mouth a single menacing line in
