I’ll sort out a future for us. The words ring in my head as I take my morning shower. I angle my face under the warm water, my thoughts drifting back to last night. There was so much I wanted to say to Catrin, but only so much that I could say.

One day I’ll share with her what it was like to leave the land of my birth and start a new life in London. School was the first shock; I was bullied for my Russian accent and soon learned to speak like everyone else. When we arrived, the opulence of our Knightsbridge home seemed strange after living in a small Moscow apartment. There, Papa had to hide the fact he’d made a fortune from the privatisation of the finance sector after the fall of Communism. Once he’d taken his wealth out of the country, however, he spent his billions like they were water.

Mama only wore designer clothes in London and I never saw her lift a finger to do any housework. Now that I think about it, we were probably happier in Russia; life was simpler than in the gilded cage Papa created for us.

I switch off the shower, reach for a towel and dry myself. My balls grow heavy as I think about how I’d dried Cat the other day… her luscious body, her sweet musky scent. I’d give anything for us to be able to move in together. I’d give anything to wake up with her in my arms. Fuck, why hasn’t Eric done what I asked and set up a meeting with Gleb? My brother is the key to what happened three years ago; I’m fed up with pussy footing around the issue. Gleb got me into this mess; I damn well hope he’ll get me out of it.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a sweater, then head downstairs to the kitchen. Ben is already sitting at the table, still dressed in his PJs, munching Weetabix. He knows that on Sundays I like to sleep a little later than the rest of the week, and he’s learned how to make his own breakfast. Not that spooning cereal into a bowl and adding milk could be described as rocket science…

I switch on the coffee maker. Rain slides down the window pane and the central heating has clicked on, the floor warm beneath my feet.

I pull out the chair next to Ben. “What would you like to do today?”

“Can we make lunch for Catrin and Becca?” He spoons the last of the cereal into his mouth and gives me an expectant look.

I rub my beard. “What do you suggest?” I make my expression deliberately serious, although I’m chuckling inside my head. Ben’s and my repertoire is strictly limited to ready meals or what comes out of a can.

“Baked beans?” he asks hopefully.

I pretend to consider his question. “I think we can do better than that. Maybe we can invite them out?”

He stares at me, open-mouthed. “Awesome, Dad. Where?”

I crease my brow. There’s a pleasant inn in a not-too-distant village, where I’ve eaten a couple of times while he’s been at school. No one knows me there, so it will be perfectly safe. It’s the least I can do after Catrin cooked for us last night.

“Let’s make it a surprise.” I rumple his hair. “Run upstairs and put some clothes on. Then we can go next door and invite them out.”

He does as I ask, and silence descends on the kitchen. I reach for my phone. It’s the one I was given by Eric to use only when I need to contact him. I key in his number, but the call goes straight to voice mail. Damn!

* * *

The King’s Head is one of those traditional English inns beloved by tourists. Nestling beside the village pond and overlooking the cricket green, it oozes charm. There are oak beamed ceilings, an open fire and traditional country furniture in the cosy dining area. A good choice, I think.

Catrin’s face is a picture of delight as we step across the threshold, shaking the freezing rain off our coats. It’s warm inside, though, and there’s a choice of roast lunches on the menu. We opt for chicken; both Ben and Becca declare it to be their favourite. No alcohol for me, as I’m driving, but Cat deserves a glass of wine, so I order one for her.

“Thank you for bringing us here.” She lowers her voice to a whisper, even though the kids have discovered a play area with one of those ball pits and have left us to our own devices. “I thought you didn’t want to be seen with me in public.”

I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “It’s not that I don’t want to be seen with you. It’s that I can’t.”

She pulls her fingers from mine and fiddles with her hair, staring at me silently.

“I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.” My voice cracks.

She plucks at her sleeves, and her eyes waver from mine. “You scare me a little. I mean, the other night when Toby went crazy, you acted like you wanted to kill whoever you thought was out there.”

“There was no one out there,” I reassure her.

A tremor of a smile comes to her lips. “I know. But your reaction...” She gives a shudder.

“They don’t call me the Brute for nothing,” I say with a deliberately sardonic laugh.

“Don’t joke, Daniel. You said you loved me. If you loved me you’d be up-front with me.”

And there it is, the bone of contention between us. I hardly need to spell it out. “Do you love me, Cat?”

“Yes.” She moves her chair closer to mine.

“If you love me, you must accept me as I am. I said I’d tell you everything eventually, and I will.”

“Touché.” She frowns then shrugs her shoulders. “I, on the other hand, am completely open. Ask me what you want.”

A sudden idea forms in my mind. I’ll try and arrange for Eric to stay with Ben for the day while I go and confront Gleb. There’s a school vacation coming up at the end of October. Maybe if Cat takes Becca to visit her family in Wales, she won’t question what’s going on…

“Have you really moved on from Josh?” I ask, my fingers closing around hers.

“I think so,” she says softly.

I tilt my head. “Are you in touch with his parents?”

“Yes.” She draws a shaky breath.

“Then maybe you should go and see them during the half-term break? Just to be sure?” There’s a note of firmness in my voice.

“I am sure.” Her eyes shine with warmth. “They’ll always be Becca’s grandparents. Josh was their only child and I’d never deprive them of her.” She shakes her head. “She’s what stops them from dwelling on the past. I’ll still go see them, though. It’s time I took her for a visit.”

I lift her hand, kiss the inside of her wrist, then place it on the table. God, I love her generosity. I fucking love everything about her.

“I’d invite you and Ben to come with us if I thought you’d agree.” She reaches for her glass of wine and takes a sip.

“I said I was going to sort out a future for us, didn’t I? Just trust me, okay? I won’t let you down. I love you.” I fix her in my gaze.

She gives a hesitant nod. “If you say so…”

“Be patient. In the meantime, we can meet for lunch every day, either at your place or mine.” I waggle my eyebrows. “And…”

A blush blooms on her lovely cheeks. “Continue my training?” Her body relaxes, and she leans into me. “I’d like that a lot.”

I’m about to sweep her up in my arms and repeat that I love her, but our server arrives with lunch. Cat catches my eye, smirking, and I smirk back at her. “I’ll fetch the kids,” I wink.

* * *

After we’ve finished eating, I go to the bar area to settle our check. Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck prickles, and an icy shiver runs down my spine. I swear I can feel eyes boring into the back of my neck. I swivel around.

The door to the inn has just been opened then closed, letting in a blast of cold air.

Only my imagination.

I drive home slowly, the kids and Catrin playing a game to see how many horses they can count in the fields we pass. The rain has stopped, and weak sunshine lights the puddles of water on the road. I keep an eye on the rear-view mirror; it pays to be vigilant.

I pull up in front of the cottages, and the sound of Toby barking loudly comes from Catrin’s place.

Fuck, there’s Eric, leaning against the garden gate. He could have told me he was coming.

Ben pushes open the car door and runs up to him. Eric spoils my son; he always brings him a new video game. Sure enough, he hands Ben a gift bag.

I give Catrin an apologetic smile. “My agent has turned up out of the blue.” I squeeze her fingers. “I need to deal with him.”

“Of course. No problem at all.” Her smile is easy. “Thanks again for lunch. It was delicious.”

We pile out of the car, and Becca grabs Cat’s hand. “Hurry up, Mum. I need a wee.”

I give a gruff laugh and watch them until they’ve gone indoors. The dog falls silent.

Jangling the keys in my pocket, I walk up to Eric. “You could have messaged me.”

He shrugs. “I was up at Aldridge House. Thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. I didn’t think you’d be out on a Sunday.”

I open my front door. Ben goes up to his room with his new game, and I take Eric through to the living area. We sit opposite each other. “So? Did you manage to contact Gleb?”

“Not exactly. I’ve put out feelers. This kind of thing takes time...”

I grit my teeth and bunch my hands into fists. “You keep telling me that. My patience is wearing thin. You have three weeks to set it up.” I feel my nostrils flare. “And another thing. I’d like you to stay here with my son while I meet with my brother. I’d take him with me, but it’s too dangerous. Ben knows you and likes you.”

“What if I can’t set it up?” He folds his arms across his chest. “My employers don’t think it’s a good idea.” His eyes are so fucking smug.

Bloody hell. Eric is supposed to be on my side.

“You’ll set it up or I’ll go looking for him myself.”