The Yacht Party (Lara Stone)

He put his phone to his ear.

‘I’m calling Ian Fox,’ he said.

‘Detective Fox?’

He nodded. ‘If Lara’s in danger, I need someone who can find her.’

‘But is this…’

She stopped as her phone hummed.

She looked down.

Just landed in Brussels. Supposed to be meeting at Lara’s houseboat at 6pm but I’ve just missed my connecting flight to Heathrow so won’t be able to make it. Everything ok? Eduardo.

Stella put her hand over Alex’s phone and shook her head.

‘Grab a cab,’ she said. ‘We’re going to Chelsea.’

Chapter 35

Lara glanced at her watch, nerves jangling. It was gone five o’clock and Stefan was due any minute. Well, Stefan and Eduardo: Lara had to remind herself she had invited them both and that, technically, this was a business meeting. Even so, Lara was on edge, dashing around cueing up some Aretha and rearranging the flowers on the table: a jam jar of mustard pansies and pink and lilac stocks, which reminded her of Foxhills. Even so, she looked up through the skylight with foreboding. The bright colours were in sharp contrast to the grey sky. It had been muggy all day and rain was already patting against the glass; another thunderstorm was forecast, which put paid to Lara’s plan of a romantic evening drinking wine coolers on the deck.

‘Calm yourself,’ she muttered. ‘Business meeting, remember?’

Still, it felt significant that this would be Stefan’s first visit to her home. She could admit to herself that she liked-liked him. Yes, it had all happened super-fast and no, she didn’t really know him and obviously, you shouldn’t get involved with people you work with, but then wasn’t that how love was supposed to be – illogical, spontaneous and head-over-heels? Love. She was like a ditzy teenager. She’d even put fresh sheets on the bed.

Lara was just checking the chicken in the oven when she heard a tentative knock on the door. A locksmith had reinforced the frame so well it would take a bazooka to get through it now. He had also drilled a peephole and Lara bent to peer through it.

‘Stefan!’ she smiled, unlocking the door. He looked relieved to see her too, his shoulders hunched against the rain, a neon yellow umbrella keeping the worst off.

‘Come in, come in,’ she said, greeting him with a kiss.

He stepped inside, looking around with wide eyes.

‘This is amazing.’

Lara grinned, uncommonly pleased at his reaction.

‘No Eduardo?’ she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

‘Didn’t he call you? He’s missed his connection and he doesn’t think he’ll be back in London until around ten, so I doubt we’ll see him until tomorrow.’

Lara pulled a face.

‘Oh no: my phone’s been off. I switched it to silent for this society auction I went to today. I must have forgotten to switch it back on.’

‘That will explain it. I was worried about you,’ he said, with a hint of reproach.

She pulled him close.

‘That’s sweet, but you don’t have to be worried.’

They kissed again, more slowly this time. Lara melted against him, her

fingers trailing along his neck.

Stefan stepped away and took a bottle of red wine from his rucksack.