Page 75 of Dead in the Water

Chapter Thirty-Three

Through the wardrobe door,Russell’s voice hit Lily’s ears, soft but distinct.

“You could have let Joyce have the room.”

Cautiously, Lily shifted her weight and squinted through the tiny slit at the edge of the door.

Kerry draped her arms around Russell’s neck. “You deserve the bigger room. It would be nice if you’d just say thank you.”

“Thanks,” he said begrudgingly.

“You can thank me properly the next time we reach port. We’ll slip away from Vic for a little shopping spree. I always think a proper thank you involves diamonds.”

He sighed. “More jewellery to add to your collection of items you can’t wear – and have to keep hidden from your husband.”

“I still love it. And I love thinking about the day I’ll be able to wear it without having to worry about Vic asking questions.” She sagged against him. “I do appreciate your generosity. It makes me feel loved.”

He took a subtle step away from her. “I spoke to James this morning.”

“Oh? What about?”

“About me buying his share of the boat. I told him I’d pay him the full amount that his dad wanted.”

“Why?” Kerry pulled back from him. “You insisted the price you offered Joseph was fair.”

“It was…”

Kerry’s eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t tell me this is about Lisa?”

“Why would it be anything to do with Lisa? She’s dead.”

“I thought you’d put that photo on your phone to annoy me, but you still have a stupid crush on her, don’t you?”

Russell exhaled loudly but didn’t say anything.

“That’s why you told James you’d give him more money for the boat. Because of your feelings for his mum. I can’t see why else since he’d already agreed to sell for less. He just wanted a quick sale.”

“I felt bad for him, that’s all.” He walked across the room and out of Lily’s field of vision. “And maybe I felt a little guilty about the way I left things with Joseph.”

“You always said he wanted too much for his share.”

“Even so, it left a bad taste in my mouth.”

“So you’re not still pining for Lisa?”

The silence went a beat too long, and even without being able to see him, Lily was sure he was thinking carefully about his reply.

“Let’s stop dwelling on the past, shall we? Time to look to the future.”

The sound of the door opening was followed by Vic’s voice.

“Trying to steal my wife,” he said, making Lily cringe at his jokey tone.

If only he knew.

“Just thanking her for bullying Joyce into letting me have the bigger cabin,” Russell said, tension clear in his tone.

“Oh, yes.” Vic chuckled. “If there’s one thing Kerry’s good at it’s brow beating poor Joyce.”

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