The next day, Lucy steeled herself and shut herself away in the study with instructions not to be disturbed. She sat looking at Drake’s number for a while before hitting dial. It seemed an age before he answered.
‘Lucy? I haven’t heard from you in a while’ said Drake ‘Are you well? She smiled, butterflies in her stomach at hearing his familiar voice
‘I’m well Drake, I’m sorry I haven’t called’ she said, ‘And you?’ There was a pause before he answered
‘You’ve been busy, and thanks for thinking of me. I’m okay, but there are some things I need to think about. I’ll probably take a break, go and stay with Savannah for a while, or maybe go back to see Mom in the States’
‘Oh No!’ cried Lucy without thinking ‘I mean – before you do, can you come over to my Duchy? There’s something very important we need to talk about.’ Again there was an agonising pause.
‘I think we said all we need to, Valois’ came his reply ‘Now you’re married to Brad, I don’t think there’s anything left…’ Closing her eyes she tried to imagine him in the room, but his voice was cold and distant.
‘Please Drake, it really is vital. It’s not just me, Brad would like to talk to you too’ There was another silence.
‘If Brad wants to talk – he needs to tell me himself. I hope you’re not offended – but that’s the way I feel’
‘Can you take it on trust, Drake - he’s not about right now, but we both need to talk to you as soon as possible – and not over the phone’ Silence…
‘You’re killing me, Valois’
‘Please say yes’ There was a deep sigh from the other end of the line
‘Ok, I’ll come over as soon as I can. It might be a couple of days’
‘As long as that?’
‘That urgent huh? Should I be expecting a visit from Bastien if I don’t pull all the stops out?’
‘You won’t regret it I promise. We’ll have whiskey waiting for you’
‘Well why didn’t you say so? I’ll get the Range Rover ready’
‘Thankyou Drake – we look forward to seeing you’
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