Page 43 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Mrs Davenport stepped forward. “We’re sorry, my dear. We didn’t mean any offence. It’s just at our age, we don’t get to engage in salacious gossip.” She shot Isabella a sheepish look. “Not that we should. We all know better. We apologise. You and May have been wonderful hosts, and we’ve enjoyed our stay.”

The other women nodded in agreement. Isabella drew in a deep breath. This was supposed to be her sanctuary. In only a few hours, the tranquillity she and May had strived to create had been shattered.

“I can only apologise. For years, I’ve strived to keep my private life out of the press.”

Isabella could not have been more surprised when the ladies crowded around her and pulled her in for a hug. They were all in their sixties, enjoying a women’s break while their husbands were off at a local golf resort.

“It will sort itself out,” Mrs Davenport said before winking, “He’s quite the hottie. If I was a few years younger.”

She fanned herself dramatically.

Isabella couldn’t contain her giggle. “He’s quite something, isn’t he?” she heard herself say before clamping a hand over her mouth, which made the older ladies cackle even louder.

“Come on, let’s stretch,” Mrs Davenport said, patting Isabella on the shoulder before moving back to her mat.

Isabella threw herself into the yoga class. She needed to clear her mind. Thanking the ladies for their understanding, she apologised once more for any inconvenience they’d experienced.

May was in the office when she returned.

“The street outside The Retreat is full of news vans, local, and international press. The local police are keeping them off the property, but Ban and the others are working double time to keep them out.”

“May, I’m so sorry.”

The tears she’d been holding in all morning finally gave way.

May swept her into her arms and rocked her as she would Kalaya. “This is not your fault.”

“How can you say that? Of course, it’s my fault. I was careless. I grew up around the press... This is only the beginning...” Isabella stared wide-eyed at May. “What is your father going to say when they drag up my sordid past? The press are not going to leave that alone. They’re like a dog with a bone. I’ve been off their radar for seven years... I’m the missing heiress, according to the internet. The press in the UK are having a field day.”

“Have you heard from Christian?” May asked.

“No. He had a meeting in Singapore before flying back to London. He’ll still be in the air.” Isabella stared at the clock. She dreaded to think what would await him when he got off the plane.

Isabella’s phone rang. “Lady King...”

Isabella cut the call off. She’d lost count of the number of missed calls she’d had while teaching.

“They’ve been blowing up the reception line too,” May said, looking as lost as Isabella.

The office door opened, making them both jump.

“Gosh, Annelise,” May said, clutching her chest. Annelise pulled Isabella into a bear hug.

“Come on,” she said. “We need to get you out of here. You can come back to our house. The grounds are secure, and so is the house.”

Isabella extracted herself from Annelise. “I can’t do that to you,” Isabella said, overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness.

Annelise and May both huffed. “Of course you can,” they both said together.

It was Annelise who spoke up. “Christian would never forgive Richard or me if we didn’t help. He’s still in the air. Richard has tried to contact him.”

“I know, but I can’t abandon May,” Isabella said, sinking back against the desk. Her eyes flew to May’s. “I don’t know what to do.” Her mind and body were racing. She could no longer think straight. “I know I need to leave. If I don’t, everything we’ve worked for will be destroyed. You can’t have a Mindfulness Centre and Yoga Retreat with the world’s press camped outside. Our guests come to get away from the daily grind of the world. The last thing they want is it camping on their doorstep.”

The look in her friend’s eyes told her she could not disagree, even though she wanted to. This was their livelihood, and it was under attack. Isabella was the prey. Like any mother, she needed to draw the vultures away from the nest.

Turning to Annelise. “If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble…”

Isabella’s heart was beating double time as the enormity of the situation set in.

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