Page 24 of Companion Required

Finally, the undercurrent of sadness he had observed in her made sense.

“The night before he left for Cape Town, while he was in the shower, a couple of pretty explicit text messages popped up on his phone. From someone called Shirl. I think it’s his secretary in Melbourne, Shirlene.”

“Did you confront him?”

“Honestly, I was too stunned at the time. Didn’t know what to say.”

“Shit, Reagan. Why didn’t you call me? What are you going to do?”

At that, a small, sad smile crept onto her face.

“I know I’m a Bennett now—by marriage—but I’m also still a Grey at heart. And we don’t take things lying down. So I’m not going to ignore this. But I also have the boys to think about. Fortunately, I had the sense to snap a photo of the display on my phone, in case he tries to deny anything. He’s due back on Friday, so I’ve asked Mum to take the boys that night so Bernie and I can go out for dinner together. Haven’t told her anything else. But anyway, I’ll confront him then.”

“If there’s anything you need from me, I meananything, let me know.”

“I don’t like to worry you—”

“But youmust, Reagan. Something that’s hit home for me this visit is that I’ve been absent from your lives for too long. And that’s not healthy for any of us. Of course, I can’t be physically here to babysit the boys for you or hold your hand, but I can offer both emotional and financial support, if that’s what you need. I’m your brother. I promise I’ll be there for you, okay?”

“Okay, thank you,” she said, grinning broadly. “Hey, Kieran’s a catch. You fell on your feet with that one. Do you think you’ve finally found a keeper?”

“We’ll see,” said Kennedy, thrown off guard by the change of subject, and he looked away.

“Come on, Kennedy, he’s nice,” she said, before tugging on his sleeve and getting his full attention. “What’s wrong with him?”

Kennedy sighed and shook his head. How the hell did he explain to his sister that Kieran was nothing more than paid help—straighthelp, come to that?

“Nothing’s wrong with him, I just—”

“You think you’re not good enough, think he’ll leave you, too, don’t you?”

“Eventually.”

“That bastard ex well and truly messed you up, didn’t he? If I ever run into him, so help me, I’ll—”

Kennedy started laughing then, stopping his sister in her tracks.

“What?”

“You remember what Dad always told us? One battle at a time. Take on too many, you dilute your attention and are more likely to lose them all. Sort your own shit out first.”

They laughed together then, his sister pulling him into a farewell hug.

“Talking of which, are you going to say anything to them, Mum and Dad?” he asked.

“Let’s see what happens first. I’ll keep you posted, too. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. I know you don’t do social media, but email or text me some photos.”

“Will do.”

After she had driven away, he and Kieran spent the rest of their morning packing and readying themselves for the next leg of the trip. Bang on ten, Matty arrived at his bedroom door, insisting once again on taking his bags down to the car. After his mother bade them both a teary farewell, they drove out to the port, where the Diamond Princess towered over every other vessel.

Impressive did not even begin to describe the sheer size and structure of the cruise liner. Seven stories of cabin balconies sat between other floors of restaurants or cafes or gyms—they were difficult to discern from the exterior. Kennedy had almost become immune to the sight, having taken cruises so many times, but in the rear-view mirror he could see Kieran sitting open-mouthed and enchanted.

“Good heavens,” said Jeff, pulling up at the drop-off point. “Looks like a floating city.”

“She pretty much is,” said Kennedy. “Built to accommodate up to around four thousand passengers, not including crew.”

“And they’re all—you know—like you? The passengers?”

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