Page 112 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars
“Hey, it’s me,” Elora says.
“Is everything okay?”
She rolls her eyes. “Why does everyone ask me that every time I call?”
He’s silent for a moment, and I imagine him running his tongue across his teeth. “Sorry,” he says eventually. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Are you still in Queenstown? How did Linc get on? Is he okay?”
Touched that he asked, I bring the coffee cups over to the sofa and sit beside Elora.
“Yes, we went to see his father, and it went very well,” Elora says, flashing me a smile as she takes her cup. “His father is lovely, and the family have welcomed him with open arms, so he’s very happy.”
“Is he behaving himself?”
She meets my amused gaze and shakes her head, and we both stifle a laugh.
“He’s here, and you’re on speakerphone, just so you know,” she says.
“Hey, Fraser,” I say cheerfully.
“If you think I’m going to be embarrassed about that, I’m not,” Fraser replies. “And the question still stands.”
“Mind your own business,” Elora says, half-amused, half-irritated. “Look, we went to Arrowtown today and met the son of the antique dealer. He sold what he’s sure was the Bell Ring back in 2015 to a woman from Milford Sound. We can’t find a phone number, but Linc’s cruise ends up in Milford Sound, so he’s asked whether I’d like to go with him, and then when we get there we can go and see her.”
“Go with him on the cruise?”
“Yes.”
“They have spare cabins?”
Elora snaps. “For fuck’s sake, Fraser. I’m twenty-four, remember? This is Linc we’re talking about. Of course he’s not behaving himself, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
“Jesus,” he says.
“We’re having sex, and it’s magnificent, and I’m hoping we’ll have lots more of it on the boat.”
He’s silent for ten seconds. Her eyes meet mine, mutinous at first, then, as the moment draws out, she pulls an eek face. “Too much?” she mouths. I try not to laugh.
“Ship,” Fraser says eventually.
“What?”
“I presume it has a commander and a crew, and an engine, and goes out to sea. That makes it a ship, not a boat.”
“Jesus, if I wanted a dictionary definition I’d have Googled it. I’m calling you because I want to know if I can take the rest of the week off. We get to Milford Sound on…”
“Friday,” I say.
“Friday, and Linc flies out on…”
“Monday the fifth.”
“Monday,” she says, “so I’ll be back at work by then.”
I wait for Fraser to tell her no, that he expects her back at work tomorrow, which will no doubt prompt an argument, with Elora attempting to stand her ground.
