Page 101 of The Moon Sister
‘If you cared to glance at what is in that file, you would see that I have included a first-class flight for you to travel back to anywhere in Europe once a month. You would also see that I envisage you spending at least six months a year in Africa, especially in the beginning, when you are looking for ways to spend the twenty-five million dollars you will have at your disposal.’
Twenty-five million . . .
‘It all sounds amazing, but I’m only twenty-six, and have zero experience in anything other than animal conservation. There’s no way I could do all the business stuff.’
‘Which is why you will have an experienced team around you. As I have already said, your sole mandate is to source the projects and to front the whole enterprise. We will get you a stylist, a new wardrobe, a public-speaking coach . . .’
I stood there as Zed continued to tell me how I would be taken and moulded andownedby him. And as I thought about this, Zed’s face and body began to change, and he morphed into a giant green and horribly venomous lizard, his pointed tongue flicking in and out at me as he spoke . . .
Zed eventually stopped talking, and as he did so, transformed back from reptile to human.
‘Er, right. Um, thank you, Zed, really, I’m honoured, but whatever you say to me, it’s still a no.’
‘And it really is this place – Kinnaird – that holds you here?’
‘Yes,’ I confirmed. ‘I love it.’
‘Well then, my decision is made.’ Zed slapped his thigh. ‘I will buy this estate. I have been thinking about it for the last few days. I’m sure Charlie will agree to sell to me. We all know how desperate he is. He will be only too happy to have it taken off his hands.’
‘You want to buy Kinnaird?’ I whispered, my voice quivering with horror.
‘Why not? It will be tax deductible; we can hold teambuilding exercises for my staff in the great outdoors, and perhaps use some of the land for an eighteen-hole golf course. I can extend the Lodge into a proper hotel and turn those old barns into retail outlets selling local products. In short, I would bring the whole place into the new millennium. And you, Tiggy, can stay here and help me.’
I was so completely shocked that I opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish.
‘So,’ Zed continued, smiling, ‘whichever way you throw the dice, Tiggy, it looks like you will end up working for me. Now, let us have that champagne.’
‘Zed, I’m sorry but I have to go.’
‘Why? What is it I have said or done that has offended you?’
‘I . . . You’ve been more than generous, and I really appreciate it, but I can’t work for you, Zed, either here or in New York.’
‘Why ever not, Tiggy? I thought we were getting on very well?’
‘Well, it’s just that . . .’ I fished in my back pocket for the printout. ‘I spoke to my sister Maia about you. And she sent me this.’ I proffered the paper to him and watched him unfold it. He looked at the photograph, then up at me.
‘It’s my sister, Electra,’ I prompted.
‘I know who it is, Tiggy, I just do not understand your reaction to it.’
‘First you date Maia, and then you move on to Electra, and now here you are with me! I’m sorry, but I just think it’s . . . weird.’
‘Tiggy, please don’t be so naive. You must know how the media can take a completely innocent friendship and make it look like the greatest love affair since Burton and Taylor. I told you openly that I knew MaiaandElectra. And yes, with Maia I had a relationship, but with Electra, only a casual friendship. As you know, she currently has a boyfriend, so I have not seen her for months. Besides, you are all beautiful women who move in similar circles to me. It is as simple as that.’
‘I certainlydon’tmove in similar circles to you. And I never will. Now, I’m going, and I’d really prefer it if we didn’t see each other again.’
‘Surely you are not jealous of your two sisters?’
‘Of course I’m not!’ I almost shouted at him in frustration because he still didn’t get it. ‘Your fixation with us sisters, it’s just . . . creepy. Bye, Zed.’
I walked from the room, half expecting him to follow me and glad that Beryl was there as protection in the kitchen and that Cal would be home for lunch. Once out of the house, I bolted across the courtyard, opened the front door to the cottage and slammed it behind me.
‘Shit!’ I said as I contemplated moving the sofa against the door as extra protection.
‘Where’s the fire?’ asked Cal, sauntering out of the kitchen, eating a huge slice of meat pie.
‘Are you going to be here for the next hour?’ I panted.
