Page 52 of They Found Us

“Done,” I agree.

“Thank you.” Stephanie breathes a sigh of relief.

“Your mother and father had a pension and life insurance with us. That will of course go to you. They lived in the house on our grounds, which will need to be emptied. We can leave that until you are ready.”

“Here, this is my number, and this is Leo’s. Let us know if there’s anything else you need.”

“Okay. I’ll be going now.”

Katie shows her out, and I retreat to my office, pour myself a scotch, and light a cigar. The guilt I felt for the death of Alga and Sergio has lessened slightly now that I know that Alga was terminally ill. But Sergio still had years ahead of him. Then again would he have wanted those years without his wife? It’s a decision I hope I never have to make.

I turn on my computer, login into the Guerra accounts, and wire a one-million-pound transfer to Alga and Sergio’s account. This will then get passed on to Stephanie. Better to not send it straight to her, as she won’t want any connection to us.

Katie appears at my door looking panicked. “Marco is coming down the driveway with my parents.”

“Come here.” I wave her over and stand from my desk. “It’s going to be emotional and hard. It may take time, but they will get there. We all will.”

Katie takes a deep breath and nods.

“And luckily, we have two amazing boys that will steel their hearts in an instant,” I add.

“Yes—oh my goodness, they are grandparents, and they don’t even know it.”

“We’ll keep them upstairs until you’re ready. Remember, you tell them as much as you think they can handle. I’ll be by your side as always.” I hold her face and kiss her firmly. She starts to melt in my arms like she always does, but I pull away, turn her round, and smack her ass before her parents see their next grandchild being conceived.

We wait in the sitting room for Marco to bring them in. Katie cannot settle and is pacing the room, biting her nails. She stops when she hears the front door open.

We can hear Katie’s father protesting, accusing Marco of kidnapping and some sort of sick joke. He still obviously doesn’t believe it. As a father, I can imagine the pain he must be going through.

Marco enters the room first, with Katie’s parents, Paul and Heather, close behind him. Marco’s large frame covers their view until he steps aside.

Paul’s eyes land on me first. They widen in disbelief, and then they then land on Katie, who stands at my side. His expression is one that I am sure will stay with me for the rest of my life. The colour drains from his face. The idiomhe looks like he has seen a ghostis a correct way to describe it. He is frozenbecause the daughter he mourned has in fact returned from the dead.

“Oh, Katie,” Heather gasps. “How, why?” She screams with emotion and runs towards Katie. She puts her hands on her daughter’s face, kissing her cheeks as if to check she is real.

Paul continues to stand and watch, not saying a word. I wonder whether to say something to him. But I’m not sure what I would say.

“Is it really you?” Heather continues.

“Yes, it’s me, Mum.”

There’s a sound from Katie’s father that I can only describe as a wail. He bends and puts his hands on his knees.

Worried he may pass out, I go to him.

“Come and sit down.” Gently, I put my arm under his and lead him to the sofa.

Katie sits down beside him, her mum clinging on to her arm as if she may disappear again. “Dad. Are you okay?”

“I didn’t believe it. I can’t believe it. We had your funeral.” He cries and puts his head in his hands.

“I’m sorry, Dad. We had no other option.”

“But why? Why did you do this? Oh, I can’t believe this.” He’s short of breath, and I think he may be having a panic attack.

“Marco, bring us some water and refreshments,” I command.

After comforting him for a moment, Katie says, “Here, drink this.” She hands her dad a glass of water from the tray Marco has just plonked down on the table. He doesn’t like being a server. “I want you both to just listen while I explain. Then youcan shout and scream at me or ask any questions, but let me just get it all out first.”

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