Page 18 of Lela's Choice

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PASSION LACED HER VOICE, an unbroken link between her, her sister and her niece. She was absolutely focused on finding Sophie. Hamish’s instincts were right. Harnessing her dedication would make this easier for everyone involved. “I’ve answered that. Find Sophie, see if she needs help and get her home.”

“I love my father, but he believes in punishment and retribution.”

“I believe in punishment for crimes against children.”

“That’s not what this is. I’m missing something,” she insisted. The deep sadness in her eyes scraped at him. The sadness, and he recognised it now, the determination to push through. “There’s something Papa’s planning that I’m missing.”

“Ask him.” Hamish was developing a list of questions for Vella himself.

But Vella’s concern for an underage, young woman being taken advantage of by a travelling student was legitimate. Peter Debrincat had taken her out of Australia and left no forwarding address. Sophie had recently developed mental health issues. Giovanni Vella had confided that Lela refused to accept the diagnosis. He’d asked Hamish to keep the information confidential and only to use it as a last resort if it was necessary to bring Sophie home.

“You used the word crime. But in Azzopardi’s office you claimed you didn’t treat children as criminals.”

“Peter’s not a child.”

“Illalu!Papa wants to prosecute Peter?”

“If Peter’s committed a crime, he should be prosecuted, but your father’s asked me to bring her home, not prosecute.” But it was something to think about later. Old man Vella tended to hellfire and damnation in his musings.

“Maybe it’s my fault she ran.”

“Did you fail in your supervision?”

“I didn’t monitor her every move.” Lela rolled her eyes. “She’s eight weeks from legally being an adult. I’ve tried to give her more independence each year, within the constraints of rules and responsibilities. I was aware of her movements; I know her friends; I’ve counselled her about the demon drink, about sex, sextortion, drugs, and wild, wild men.”

“Sounds pretty comprehensive.”

“I had a disagreement with her a few days earlier.” She released a long slow breath, a clue she’d reached another decision. “I told her she couldn’t go away with Peter for a weekend.” She stopped, resting her hands on her hips. “I thought she’d accepted my decision, but she brought it up on that last morning I saw her. She said she loved Peter.”

“And you disagreed.”

“They were moving too fast,” she said. “I suggested she bring him home more often.”

“She said you didn’t understand.”

“You’ve done this before.” A wry smile twisted her mouth.

Hamish hadn’t had a conversation with any woman about the intimate details of bringing up a child since Olivia’s death. When they’d discovered Olivia was pregnant, they’d spent hours daydreaming about their child’s future, what they’d do, what they’d say, what they’d share with their child—planning had been part of the magic. Until it ended. Hamish’s child would be four years old now. He and Olivia would never get a chance to deal with an adolescent. “Standard parenting from all I’ve heard. She probably engineered a fight to mess with your head.”

“I refused permission for a weekend in the mountains with Peter, so they ran away to another country!” She started walking again.

“That’s not exactly what I meant.” He caught up.

“I guessed they were lovers. I’d even given a remarkable amount of thought over the years on exactly how I’d handle this situation, including ensuring she had professionals to speak to about contraception and unplanned pregnancies. And I blew it.” She sucked in air. “I’m considered the revolutionary in our family, and I was preaching caution.”

“That’s why you’re worried she’s pregnant.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “A slap at me. I’m afraid my stubbornness, my insistence that she know who her mother is, may have given her a romanticised view of running away with a lover.”

“The past repeating itself?” Although old man Vella had been vague about how long Sophie had lived with him and Lela, Hamish had the impression it was a few years. Sophie wanting to recreate parts of her mother’s life was a possibility.

“I won’t let Papa issue ultimatums again.”

“The world’s a different place from when your sister had Sophie.” Hamish added the date Sophie’s mother died to the questions he had for Vella.

“Tell that to Papa.”

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