Page 106 of Savage Obsession

Nathan Darke bounds up the gangplank in a couple of strides, then takes the steps up to the main deck three at a time. Eva and Bella follow at a more sedate pace.

He pauses, opens his arms to her, and Rosie rushes at him with a delighted squeal. He enfolds her, lifts her and swings her around effortlessly, his face buried in her hair. His voice is muffled, but I pick out “so scared” and “thought I might never see you again”.

Eva and Bella join them on deck and muscle their way into the group hug amidst much sobbing, hysterical laughing, and perhaps a bit of “where the fuck have you been?”

I’m aware of footsteps behind me. Baz, Kristian, and Janey appear at my side.

“How touching. Don’t you just love a happy ending?” Kristian observes. “I see he came mob-handed. Do we have enough spare cabins for our guests?”

“I’ll talk to Señora Hernandez about accommodating everyone at the hacienda,” Baz offers, dragging his phone from his pocket. “In fact, we’ll need an entire wing if all the Savages are here as well.”

“I’ll leave that with you, then.” Sensing the initial euphoria of the reunion may be subsiding somewhat, he steps forward, his hand outstretched. “Mr Darke, Mrs Darke. I’m Kristian Kaminski. Welcome to Tenerife.”

It turns out that Rosie’s stepmother doesn’t go by the name of Mrs Darke. Though they married some years ago, she retained her old name and title, Professor Eva Byrne. A renowned academic in the field of linguistics and digital technologies, she has apparently written enough books to stock her own library and enjoys a degree of fame in her own right. As well as lecturing at various universities in the north of England, Rosie boasts that her stepmum, who she clearly adores, speaks at least a couple of dozen languages and plays the violin to concert standard.

The younger girl, Rosie’s half-sister, despite being just seventeen years old, takes after her mother. She has already stacked up an armful of A levels and completed her first year of university, studying astrophysics. Nevertheless, she’s as excited as a toddler by the horses at the hacienda. A decent horsewoman herself, she loves to canter around the paddock with Lily while her parents and Rosie get reacquainted.

They find the retelling of her story harrowing, but they listen and manage not to judge or blame. There are tears, laughter, plenty of self-recrimination and no small amount of anguish. But, as Eva never ceases to remind her little family, what’s done is done. The future is what matters, and the past is just that, and should be left behind them. There’s probably a lifetime of therapy before them, but they’ll get there.

Baz and I leave them to it, simply extending the hospitality of the hacienda for as long as they need it. We have our work cut out with the influx of Savages. Ethan and his wife and their two boys; his brother, Aaron, and his partner, along with their son; and Aaron’s mother-in law, Grace. We also have Casey Savage and her husband, Jed O’Neill, and their delightful little girl, Roisin, as well as three other children. I find myself uncertain regarding just how they fit in. Natalija is sixteen, and her younger brother, Andrej, is eight. They are Belarusian and apparently live with Grace. Then, finally, little Robbie, a shy boy who follows Ethan about like a small shadow. When I ask, all I’m told is that they live on Caraksay and are part of the family. I leave it at that.

The main house is chaotic, a riot of din and activity. Señora Hernandez is in her element catering for everyone under Janey’s direction, and I opt to leave them to it. I was never much of a domestic goddess, but I don’t seem to have any other serious purpose in life. It’s not that I don’t feel welcome. I do, but everyone has their role, and I don’t seem to be able to find my niche.

I welcome the opportunity to wander down to the stables to spend a bit of time in the sedate company of the horses. I don’t ride, have no desire to, but I do find their company helps to ground me. They have their priorities sorted. Food, sleep, a comfortable place to live, and they’re satisfied.

I’m getting to be a bit like that myself. I didn’t expect to be so contented here, but despite my restlessness, I find I am. The climate, the lifestyle, the resurrection of my marriage. Baz and I are stumbling along; it’s not all plain sailing, we’re still getting to know each other all over again. But we’re getting there.

I dig into the bag I brought with me and produce an apple. I offer it to the handsome ivory-grey stallion in the stall, who ceases his snickering and fussing to gobble it down. I stroke his velvety nose, which he tolerates, barely. He’s far too grand, too aristocratic for the likes of me but makes a generous exception when an apple is in the mix.

“Hey, you like that,” I croon. “You like to pretend you’re too cool for being made a fuss of, but I know better. You alpha males are all the same. Big softies at heart.”

He snorts his disagreement with the sentiment, but I’m not fooled. “Stop denying it. I see straight through you, you big marshmallow. You like to play the hard man, but?—”

“Does that go for me, too?”

I whirl at the voice behind me, my heart thudding. “Baz. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” I spread my fingers across my chest. “You shouldn’t creep up on folk like that.”

His mouth splits in a sensual grin. “Oh, I don’t know. I like you a bit flustered. It’s sexy.”

I zip up my bag of apples and hoist it onto my shoulder. “I should be getting back. Lunch…”

“…is in the capable hands of Señora Hernandez.” He steps forward to relieve me of the bag. “Lily seemed happy this morning.”

“Yes. She’s been looking forward to it.” Today was her first day at her new school, and she was near enough giddy with excitement when she set off in her brand-new uniform. “I hope it works out.”

“It will. She’ll soon settle, make friends. That’s what kids do.”

“I suppose so.”

“What about you?”

“Me?” I squint up at him. “What do you mean?”

“I watch you wandering around like a displaced ghost, not sure what to do with yourself.”

“I’m sorry, I never meant?—”

“I know. You never complain, but you do need… more than just the horses as company.”

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