Page 55 of Lela's Choice

“It can be gruelling.” He smiled. “You don’t do it alone, there’s usually shared purpose, but egos and national prestige can get in the way.”

“Satisfying?” She wanted to remind him of the value of his work. “Don’t answer that. Of course it’s satisfying, but you need the balance of regular casework as well.”

“Yeah.” He sounded grim.

The fire in the belly forged in the little boy continued, despite what had happened. A man who wore a spider watch to ease the horror of children needed the emotional connection of real people and real stories to face the evil he confronted every day. Easy to love such a man.Whoa, Lela.

“Is that a space?” He spun the car into the last empty spot. “A good omen.”

The engine died.

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LELA FOLLOWED HIM DOWNa narrow passageway, emerging in the middle of a row of shops and restaurants overlooking the harbour. About one hundred metres across, the harbour was crammed with tiny bars and cafés. St. Patrick’s Hotel held the prime, central position.

“The Debrincats have the monopoly on boat licences here.” He steered her towards a small jetty, stopping at a sign nailed to a post advertising boat rides or hires, diving and snorkelling.

“A boat’s coming in,” Lela said.

He shielded his eyes, looking beyond the breakwater to a fishing smack heading their way. “Timing’s right. And that looks like Sophie on the front of the boat.”

Her niece waved at the other occupants before she half ran up the last few metres of the jetty to throw herself into Lela’s arms.

Lela’s world finally righted itself, her breath steadied, and her heart eased. Mariella Debrincat had insisted Sophie was safe, but seeing her made it real. For a few seconds, Lela held tight. Then she stepped back to hold her niece at arms-length.

“Hey, Lela.” Sophie flashed a tentative smile, part guilt, part embarrassment and pure defiance.

“The resemblance is striking,” Hamish murmured, squeezing Lela’s elbow. She turned to him. “Fifteen minutes. Starting now.”

“Where can we talk, Sophie?” Lela sensed rather than saw Hamish walk away, her entire focus on Sophie.

“In here.” Sophie turned and led her through the main entrance into the hotel. “Peter’s cousins own this place.” She signalled to a man at the bar and then crossed to a secluded table near a window.

“I planned to leave, Sophie.” Lela hadn’t planned a blunt confession as her opening, but it wouldn’t hurt to make Sophie realise she wasn’t the only player in this performance.

“Planned to leave what?”

“Move out when you turned eighteen. I’ve signed a lease on an apartment.” Lela loosely linked her fingers on the table.

“You didn’t tell me,” Sophie accused, sounding like a little girl refused entry to a game the older kids were playing.

“I haven’t had much chance to have any kind of conversation with you since you met Peter.” Lela had made herself available, and Sophie had stood her up more than once. “And most of our conversations have descended into brawls.”

“That’s because you wouldn’t listen to what I wanted.”

“I’ve always listened to what you wanted. I’ve taken you seriously, treated you with respect and answered you honestly. That doesn’t mean I’ve always agreed with what you want or allowed you to have it. That’s a responsibility adults have, trying to work out the right decision for your children.”

“I’m not your child,” Sophie flashed defiantly.

“No, you aren’t,” replied Lela.

But you are a child of my heart, and I’ve tried to keep my promise to your mother to make sure you grow up free and strong. At first because I loved her and then because I loved,loveyou.

“I’ll be eighteen in two months, legally independent.”

“I know.”When did Sophie start talking to me as if I’m an idiot? When did she stop being that adoring little girl who tailed me?“Why didn’t you wait until you were eighteen to leave Australia? And why didn’t you tell me or Papa you planned to go?”

“You would have stopped me.” Sophie’s logic was faultless—to her.

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