Page 153 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not stupid to believe Alfred hasn’t had affairs. I know what kind of man he is.” She said even as he hissed slightly at her. “What I want to know is if your mother is going to sell some kiss n tell story for a quick buck.”

“Wow.” Maddie murmured shaking her head and then looking at Alfred. How much had he told her? How much had he said? He stared right back at her.

“My mother is dead.” Maddie said. “She died when I was sixteen.”

“Oh.” Cynthia said.

“And there isn’t much to kiss and tell about.” Alfred added. “It was a one night stand nothing more.”

“Right.” Cynthia said glancing at Maddie and then back at her husband.

“How much did he pay in child support?” She asked.

“Five million. It was held in trust till I came of age.” Maddie said.

“Huh.” Cynthia replied.

“Let’s order some food.” Alfred said clicking his fingers for the waiter. Maddie glanced at the menu. She wasn’t hungry, she didn’t want to eat but she had to pick something, to be compliant.

The waiter took their orders and she had exactly what Cole ordered, deciding to keep it simple. Cynthia made a big fuss about her food, asking to swap the cheese, and wanting the sauce on the side. Alfred just smiled at her and said nothing.

When the waiter left Cynthia looked between Kelsey and Maddie.

“You look nothing alike.” She stated.

“How could we? We have different mothers.” Kelsey said.

“Still I’d expect some sort of resemblance. I’m guessing you take after your mother Kelsey while you…” She looked at Maddie. “You look more like Richard.”

“You’ve met Richard?” Maddie asked.

“A few times. I like his wife.” She stated and Maddie glanced at Alfred noting the sour look on his face.

“And what do you do for work Cole?” Cynthia asked fixing her beautiful blue eyes on him.

“I run my own business.” He says.

“Oh. Whereabouts? Is it local?”

“We operate across the globe. Our HQ was London based until last week and we manage a multi-million dollar portfolio.”

“Why until last week? You’ve not moved because of Brexit?” She asked and Maddie bit her lip not the laugh.

“It’d be hard to keep our HQ where it was considering someone blew the whole god damn office up.” Cole said and Maddie took a very slow deliberate sip of her drink.

“What?” Cynthia said glancing at Alfred.

He rolled his eyes. “My wife is not really up on current affairs.” He said.

“Current affairs?” Maddie repeated before she could stop herself.

“Your office got blown up?” Cynthia asked.

“Kaboom.” Cole replied putting his hands together to emphasise it.

“But why? Was it those terrorists?” Cynthia asked.

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