A Confusion of Mandarins by Ron Culley

Author:Ron Culley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781908596260
Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing
Published: 2011-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

By mid-day, Kim had awoken and joined Miguel in the wheelhouse.

“Morning, Miguel,” she yawned. “Where are we?”

“Good morning, Señorita Kim. We are just over the horizon from Marbella. We can make shore in about half an hour if you give the command. Today the water is calm so we can stay here if you wish. The forecast is good again with fine sunny weather.”

“Have our guests stirred?”

No, señorita. They still sleep.”

“Okay, I’ll make breakfast for them. I’m sure they’ll be up shortly.”

After making some coffee for herself, Kim bustled around the galley busying herself with the task of organising breakfast, her mind still racing from the night before. While she was washing some dishes, much to the disapproval of Graciana and Juanita, who asked her as usual what they were meant to be doing if not cleaning up, Susan and Liam appeared.

“Hi,” said Liam. Is there any task on this floating palace that you don’t do?”

Kim smiled. “Hey, you’re up. What would you like for breakfast?”

“Coffee for two will be fine.” He paused, unsure whether to continue. “You okay after last night? Susan and I have been talking. We’re really sorry that we seem to have brought nothing but trouble to your door since we arrived.”

Kim’s face flushed. “On the contrary. I’ve been torturing myself all morning about me ruining your honeymoon by exposing all my old family wounds. It’s completely unacceptable and I want to offer to return the entire cost of your holiday. If you decided to leave immediately, I’d understand perfectly.”

Susan stepped forward and gave Kim a hug. “We won’t hear of that, Kim. Don’t be silly. We are so impressed by you last night and remember, it was Liam and I who first started all this by getting involved with those ruffians in Marbella. We stay. You relax. And we wait to hear if we can help Gus and Jack.”

Kim held her own counsel and poured coffee for Susan and Liam. She smiled weakly. “Let’s take these out onto the deck space.”

After some time during which they reviewed the events of the night before, Liam decided to spend some time in the Jacuzzi, leaving the two women together.

“It must have been difficult coming across your father last night, Kim,” proffered Susan.

Kim shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“More than I’d anticipated. I suppose I knew that I’d need to confront this at some point…I mean, last night after we all went to bed I had to face up to the fact that despising my dad as I do, I still operated a business only a few miles from his pub. I could have chosen to work my boat from anywhere in Europe but I chose to stay close… so if I’m honest, maybe I was looking for an opportunity to bring some closure to my issues with him. This had to happen at some point but I didn’t need to involve you guys.”

“You were doing something to help two men we’ve both grown fond of over the last couple of days,” countered Susan.

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