Page 103 of All Mine
Walker and Fox looked at each other and clinked beer bottles.
‘That’s what we think,’ Fox said.
‘You knew?’ Etienne asked in disbelief.
‘Have done for ages,’ Walker agreed, high fiving Fox across the table.
‘No!’ said Reggie, kicking the table leg with a tiny foot. ‘Not fair.’
‘Oh my God,’ said Etienne. ‘I’m in love with Isabella Tucci.’
Reggie harrumphed and grabbed an unsuspecting George in a headlock, marching him through and out of the kitchen. ‘We’re going to bed,’ he said as they stomped up the stairs.
‘Two miracles in one day,’ Fox muttered as he followed them swiftly to make sure the job got done.
Walker grinned at him and clinked his bottle against Etienne’s, who sat back in his chair, winded by his own feelings.
Isabella had worked her way so far under his skin that she’d embedded herself right in his heart. He finally acknowledged all his trips past Tutto Mio were to bump into her. He realised that he’d accepted her ‘no-sex’ deal in the first place only because he wanted to spend more time with her. Every time she smiled at him, his heart lifted. And every time he held her, he never wanted to let go.
His phone rang. Alex’s name on the screen dragged him back to the present with a jolt. He showed Walker the screen as he answered it, putting it on loudspeaker.
This time Alex didn’t wait for Etienne to speak before starting himself.
‘Et, you’re in danger! It’s all gone wrong!’
Etienne stood up with his fists on the table, leaving the phone between them. ‘What’s happened?’
‘The Dougalls suddenly rang, saying they wanted the money transferred now.’
‘I thought we still had six days to get it together. . .’ Etienne said. ‘But I can do that—’
Alex cut in.
‘I knew you’d say that so I told them I didn’t have it, but I would get it from you and could transfer it straight away.’
Etienne made a noise of agreement.
‘And then they got really mad and said they’d already waited too long. Four years too long.’
Walker’s eyes widened as he focused on the phone screen.
‘And they said they’d come and get it themselves.’
Walker and Etienne’s eyes locked. This was bad. They both knew it.
‘Have they found out where I am?’ Etienne asked, trying to keep his voice level, thinking about old Fred Barrow at home watching the television in his slippers.
‘Old Man Dougall saw you on the evening news. They know the name of your restaurant.’
Fox appeared in the doorway having put the boys to bed, glancing between the two, sensing the tense atmosphere.
Etienne put his hands to his head and wracked his brain, forcing himself to recall the interview. Had they asked him about The Bistro?
‘Did you see it?’ he mouthed at Walker and Fox but they both shook their heads.
He thought back. Isabella explaining how she organised the scheme. The interviewer asking whether they liked living in Honeybridge. And Isabella’s happy promotion of the restaurant, Tutto Mio.
The Dougalls thought they were a couple. And they now thought they owned a restaurant together.
