Page 33 of The Situation Ship
“The club scene isn’t for me. I helped Eckells with a case, and we became friends.” Isaiah didn’t expand; Levi wouldn’t like him talking about their past.
“So you helped him get out of trouble? Make something disappear?” Poppy asked.
He tried not to be offended by her assumption. “No, I’m not that type of detective. Someone he cared about deeply was attacked, and I helped him find out who.” He kept his voice low; everyone on the ship worked for Levi. “I’m not on his payroll, if that’s what you think. We both stay on our sides of the law.”
“Isn’t he paying you to help me?”She smiled.
“You’re the exception, Princess.”
“I feel so special.”
“You ask a lot of questions. Are you still questioning my trustworthiness?” he asked, noting that she flushed a little at the nickname, but didn’t comment on it. She was known as the Princess of Pop, after all.
“Sue me for trying to get to know the man who’s supposed to protect me,” Poppy huffed.
“Poppy! Is that you?”
A woman in a pink head towel and white robe stood over them. Her ageing skin was covered in thick clay that Isaiah thought couldn’t possibly be comfortable and was starting to crack as she smiled at Poppy.
The manicurist excused herself politely to let them talk. Isaiah stayed put. If Poppy wanted him to go, she would ask.
“Calliope, how lovely to see you. I didn’t know you were a guest here.” Poppy smiled at the woman, but Isaiah noticed it failed to reach her eyes. “Thank you for the white lilies you sent to the house. I was disappointed that you couldn’t make the funeral.”
“I don’t blame you for keeping to yourself. It breaks my heart to think of all you’ve gone through recently.” Calliope clutched her chest dramatically. “I hope you’ll understand that I couldn’t leave Monaco. We had spent weeks trying to get this chef on our yacht, and your aunt wouldn’t have blamed me for embracing life. She always knew how to have a good time. We had a toast in her honour, and I saw the livestream; she would have loved seeing you in her Chanel. To think I even invited her to Monaco—but she refused because she wanted to be there for your last show!”
“I didn’t know about that. She truly loves Monaco. If she’d been with you, she might still be alive,” Poppy said, dipping her head low.
Isaiah didn’t want the woman upsetting Poppy. He’d been so worried about how she was dealing with a potential killer that he’d forgotten about the grief she had so recently suffered. Still, it wasn’t his place to intervene.
“Hush, don’t think such things,” Calliope said, resting a hand on Poppy’s arm. “Martha was utterly devoted to you, and we can’t change what happened; what happened was no one’s fault. She has been in my prayers, as have you.”
“Thank you. She would be comforted to know that,” Poppy said. Her leg had started bouncing under the table; something about this woman had irritated her.However, anyone watching would never know from her tone or expression. Isaiah admired her masking skills.
“Martha and I were such kindred spirits back in the day. How many hours did we spend on sets together when we were only your age? I suppose our time has passed, and the industry belongs to the young. I can’t help but feel she was taken from us too soon.”
“My aunt would hate to hear you say so; she admired your talent. You should have seen how she reacted when you were nominated for an Academy Award last year. Her time may be over, but she would want you to embrace every opportunity,” Poppy said, taking Calliope’s hand before releasing it just as quickly.
Calliope’s smile tightened at the mention of the award. Isaiah couldn’t help but feel there was more to the story.
“I can only hope she’s watching over us. I’m sure she would be proud to hear you’ll soon be following in her footsteps. Some little birds have told me you’ll be making your acting debut this year?”
“Just some small projects.”
Calliope winked. “Right– best to keep your cards close to your chest. You never know when someone is listening. Especially on theMidas; the walls have ears.”
“Oh, I have nothing to hide. It’s just a small indie film I’ve invested in– when there’s more to say, I’ll be happy to. Smaller projects are the right fit for me. I could never be able to live up to either of your talents,” Poppy said, charm dripping from every word.
“Stop! You’ll make me blush.” Calliope swatted at Poppy playfully before turning her attention to Isaiah, as though shehad only noticed his presence. “Forgive me for being so rude. Who is your dashing friend?” She offered him her hand. “The ladies and I were wondering who was keeping you company.”
“This is Isaiah Rivers, my bodyguard,” Poppy said politely.
“You bring your bodyguard to get manicures with you? I suppose you can never be too careful.” Calliope smirked. “We thought you might’ve replaced Joshua with a real man. Your aunt never thought he was good enough for you, and you should have listened to your elders. We’ve been around long enough to know a scoundrel when we see one – and he caused such a scene at the dock before we departed. If I had been there, I would have given him a good slap. Don’t let the humiliation get you down; hardly anyone is talking about it.” Her condescension was thicker than the smell of acetone in the air.
“Better to end it than let it drag out. I’m sure they’ll find something new to gossip about. How is your stepson, by the way? Or is he your fiancé now? I wanted to send you a congratulations card, but with the funeral, I was too busy,” Poppy said.
Isaiah cleared his throat, trying to conceal his laughter.
Calliope’s pinched smile threatened to undo her Botox. “Rory wasn’t my stepson. He was my ex’s stepson and already a grown man when we met, so it’s not like he was any relation to me. You know how the tabloids can sensationalise.”
