“Loads!” I lie hastily, remembering a conversation I once heard between Mum and Dad. Apparently everything was swallowed up by the nursing-home fees, but Sadie wouldn’t want to hear that. “And they were really thrilled.”
“So they should be.” She sits back in satisfaction. A moment later the car pulls off the road and approaches a pair of enormous gates. As the car stops by the gatehouse and a security guard approaches, Sadie peers past me at the mansion.
“Goodness.” She looks at me uncertainly, as though someone must be playing a joke. “That’s a rather large house. How on earth did he become so rich?”
“I told you,” I say under my breath, as I give my passport to the driver. He hands it to the security guard, and they confer as though I’m some sort of terrorist.
“You said he ran coffee shops.” Sadie wrinkles her nose.
“Yes. Thousands of them. All around the world. He’s really famous.”
There’s a pause, then Sadie says, “I should have liked to be famous.”
There’s a trace of wistfulness in her voice, and I open my mouth to say automatically, “Maybe you will be one day!” Then, as the truth hits me, I close it again, feeling a bit sad. There isn’t a “one day” for her anymore, is there?
By now the car is purring up the drive, and I can’t help gazing out of the window like a child. I’ve only been to Uncle Bill’s mansion a few times in my life, and I always forget how impressive and intimidating it is. It’s a Georgian house with about fifteen bedrooms and a basement with two swimming pools in it. Two .
I’m not going to get nervous , I tell myself firmly. It’s just a house. He’s just a person .
But, oh God . Everything’s so grand. There are lawns everywhere and fountains sprinkling, and gardeners snipping hedges. As we approach the entrance, a tall guy in a black suit and shades with a discreet earpiece is coming down the spotless white steps to greet me.
“Lara.” He clasps my hand as though we’re old friends. “I’m Damian. I work for Bill. He’s looking forward to seeing you. I’ll take you round to the office wing.” As we start to crunch over the gravel, he adds lightly, “What exactly was it you wanted to talk to Bill about? Nobody seems very clear.”
“It’s… um… private. Sorry.”
“No problem.” He flashes a smile. “Great. Just approaching, Sarah,” he says into his earpiece.
The side building is as impressive as the main house, just in a different style, all glass and modern art and a stainless-steel water feature. As if by clockwork, a girl comes out to greet us, also dressed immaculately in a black suit.
“Hi, Lara. Welcome. I’m Sarah.”
“I’ll leave you here, Lara.” Damian flashes me his teeth again and crunches back over the gravel.
“So, it’s an honor to meet Bill’s niece!” says Sarah as she leads me into the building.
“Oh. Well… er, thanks.”
“I don’t know if Damian mentioned this.” Sarah ushers me to a seat and sits down opposite me. “But I was wondering if you could tell me the subjects you’d like to discuss with Bill. It’s something we ask all his visitors. So we can prep him, do any necessary research… It makes life easier for everyone.”
“Damian did ask. But it’s kind of private, sorry.”
Sarah’s pleasant smile doesn’t falter for an instant.
“If you could just indicate the broad areas? Give us an idea?”
“I don’t really want to get into it.” I can feel myself flushing. “I’m sorry. It’s kind of a… family thing.”
“Of course! That’s fine. Excuse me a moment.”
She moves away into a corner of the reception area, and I can see her muttering into her earpiece. Sadie glides over to Sarah for a minute or two, then appears back by my side. To my astonishment, she’s cracking up with laughter.
“What is it?” I demand under my breath. “What was she saying?”
“She said she didn’t think you looked violent but maybe they should call extra security anyway.”
“What?” I can’t help exclaiming, and Sarah immediately whips around to survey me.
“Sorry.” I wave at her cheerily. “Just… er… sneezed. What else did she say?” I hiss as Sarah turns away again.
“Apparently you have a grudge against Bill? Something about a job he didn’t give you?”
Grudge? Job? I stare at her baffled for a second-before the penny drops. The funeral. Of course .
“The last time Uncle Bill saw me, I was announcing a murder in the middle of a funeral. He must have told everyone I’m a total psychopath!”
“Isn’t it a wheeze?” Sadie giggles.
“It’s not funny!” I say crossly. “They probably all think I’ve come to assassinate him or something! You realize this is all your fault?” I hastily break off as Sarah approaches again.
“Hi, Lara!” Her voice is bright but tense. “So… one of Bill’s team will sit in with you during the meeting. Just to take notes. Is that OK?”
“Look. Sarah.” I try to sound as sane and calm as possible. “I’m not a nutter. I don’t have a grudge against anyone. I don’t need any notes taken. I just want to have a chat with my uncle, one to one. Five minutes. That’s all I want.”
There’s silence for a moment. Sarah still has a vivid smile pasted on, but her eyes keep swiveling to the door and back again.