Page 61 of Lela's Choice

“You were very good at it.” Sophie sighed. “To be honest, I was expecting one of the nuns to ambush me.”

“What nuns?” Lela echoed Hamish’s confusion.

“They’re like an underground group, keeping a check on any unaccompanied young people who might move into the area. A bit like your foundation.”

“We haven’t spoken to them,” Lela said. “You were seen on the ferry to Gozo about the time we arranged an appointment with Peter’s aunt.”

“You said Nannu knows Mariella?” Sophie looked from her aunt to Hamish. “She said to call her Mariella.”

“She was a friend of Mama’s. Your mother was named after her.”

“Mr. Vella never said a word,” said Peter. “Neither didzija. What’s the deal?”

“Nannu had some sort of fight, didn’t he?” Sophie demanded. “I’m not stupid. For an astute businessman, he still manipulates his family as if old vendettas mean something. He thinks he can move us all around like chess pieces in some private game. For me, it stops now.”

“Papa knows we’re meeting you today.” Lela dropped that bombshell into the conversation. “He’s expecting a call.”

“You’re calling him today?” Sophie pushed back from the table.

“I promised.” Lela sipped her water.

“That’s a trap in our family. When you give your word, you have to keep it.” Sophie sat upright. “Except Nannu broke his promise to you, Lela.”

Hamish registered her father’s failure to honour his promise as another blow. He didn’t doubt she’d have it out with him, make her disillusion clear.Did old man Vella care? Did he deserve the loyalty she gave so freely?

“You gave me a promise to tell me where you are, where you’re going,” Lela said.

“I was a child then.” Sophie shrugged, not equating her behaviour with her grandfather’s. “I’m not promising anything now. I’m staying here for the summer, and I’ll think about my next steps.”

“I’ll tell him we’ve found you, and you’re safe,” Lela said. “That’s enough for one day.”

* * *

THE ARRIVAL OF PETER’Sfamily ended private conversation. Lela liked the friendly couple in their forties on sight. Mariella Debrincat must have issued instructions to be explicit about the chaperoning arrangements to protect Sophie and Peter’s reputations if anyone came looking for the young couple. Separate bedrooms were mentioned so often, even Peter was rolling his eyes. Sophie giggled, a light-hearted sound, making Lela’s heart ache.

With shadows darkening the skies, Peter led them to a bustling restaurant nearby, the Stone Crab, which specialised in local seafood. Another link in the family business. Lela excused herself while the others settled at the table. Peter and Sophie were arguing over which dishes to order, while Lela found a quiet corner.

Opening her phone, she texted the message she’d been composing in her head for the last hour: “She’s safe. I’ve spoken to her. She says she ran because you had a husband lined up for her. Not fair, Papa. I’ll call tomorrow.”

Hamish raised an inquiring eyebrow when she slid into the vacant chair beside him, and she passed the phone under the table. Scanning the screen, he closed it and passed it back, before resting his hand on her knee. More than comfort, he was on her side. Having a defender was a rare and lovely experience for Lela.

She appreciated how lovely an experience when she couldn’t summon meaningless conversation at dinner, and Hamish covered for her. Asking about the boat business was an inspired choice of topic with this family.

The Debrincats described the routes to coves and inlets offering secluded swimming or diving; how trips would multiply in coming weeks and months as more visitors arrived for day trips or longer on the island. Sophie’s help would be appreciated—when she learned a few more skills. More people were renting houses and staying for longer periods, tempted by the ruggedness and less-developed nature of this smaller island. The boat and crew-renting business for personally designed tours was taking off.

Waiters eventually removed the final plates from the table.

“You could stay, couldn’t they, Peter? This early in the season there are still rooms available,” Sophie volunteered, a hint of desperation in her voice.

“You’re very welcome to,” Peter agreed.

“The ferries run continuously, but we should make a move,” Hamish said, with a “time to go” motion of his head.

“We’ve had some weather warnings,” Peter replied, his gaze on Sophie. “Occasionally they close the crossing.”

“We’ll take a chance,” Lela said. Prolonging this departure wouldn’t make it any easier for her or Sophie.

“Deep down I didn’t really think you were on Nannu’s side.” Now that they were leaving her where she said she wanted to be, her niece clung to Lela. “I tried to convince myself because it gave me an excuse to run. I’ve wanted to run for a long time.”

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