Part 110 (1/2)

what to wear, what to think.

With a sigh, she shook her head. It would be summer soon, she reminded

herself. And she would go to London. She would see Stevie and P.M.

then as well. She could watch while they recorded.

She'd get through the next few weeks somehow. She had to. It was so

important to Dad, she thought, that she get her education, that she be

safe and well looked after. Well, the nuns did that, she decided. There

was hardly a moment in the day when you weren't looked after.

She could hear the water. Smell it. Going with instinct, she dragged

on a pair of shorts. It was late. Even the guards would be asleep. She

would go to the beach alone for her last night. Alone. She could sit

and watch the water, and no one would watch her.

She hurried out, down the hall of the rented villa, down the stairs.

Holding her breath, she slipped out of the tall gla.s.s doors and ran.

She gave herself only an hour. When she tiptoed back to the villa, she

was soaking wet. It hadn't been enough to watch the water after all.

She came in quietly, with the idea to make a dash to her room. When she

heard her father's voice, she sunk into the shadows.

”Just keep it down, luy. Everyone's asleep.”

There was a feminine giggle, then a whisper, thickly French. ”I'm quiet

as a mouse.”

Brian came into the room with a curvy little brunette wrapped around

him. She was wearing a hot-pink sarong and carrying gold high heels.

”I'm so glad you came in tonight, chdrl” She ran her hands up his sides,

then hooking them tightly around his neck, brought his mouth to hers.

Embarra.s.sed and confused, Emma shut her eyes. But she could hear the