In the Brazilian's Debt(66)

                ‘It is, Chico. Is the past really behind us both now?’

                ‘My shoulders are pretty broad.’

                She shook her head as if it would take some time for her to come to terms with everything she’d learned, but it was time for him to focus Lizzie’s attention on urgent practicalities. ‘You’re obviously in a bit of a mess here, and I’d like to help.’

                ‘We’re not in a mess,’ she said, looking around. ‘We’re getting ready for the annual Christmas party, so admittedly we’re a bit untidy at the moment, but it’s nothing that I can’t put right.’

                ‘I’m not talking about Christmas decorations exploding out of boxes.’

                ‘What are you talking about, Chico?’

                ‘Pride is great, Lizzie, but it doesn’t pay the bills,’ he said bluntly. ‘I’m offering to bail you out. Money,’ he explained when she looked at him blankly. ‘Whatever you need.’

                ‘Whatever I need?’

                ‘What you need to set Rottingdean back on its feet must seem like a lot of money to you, but it won’t be a problem for me—’

                Her eyes turned steely. ‘This is my responsibility, Chico.’

                ‘I’m not trying to patronise you. I have a charitable foundation—’

                ‘So I’m a charity now?’

                ‘No. But the estate is in danger of being lost, and I’d like to help so you can keep it in the family. As your grandmother helped me,’ he reminded her.

                ‘This is my home, Chico. It’s mine to save. I do appreciate your offer of help, but no, thank you.’

                ‘You’d risk throwing people like Annie out on the streets, rather than accept help from me?’

                ‘That’s unfair.’

                ‘Is it?’

                ‘And if I accept this offer of yours? What’s the catch?’

                He looked at her quizzically. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

                ‘Chico, there’s always a catch. You’re not going to write a blank cheque and let me get on with it.’

                ‘Well, no, I’m not,’ he admitted, raking his hair, to give himself time to think.

                ‘So?’ Lizzie pressed. ‘What’s the catch?’

                ‘Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll open an account and deposit sufficient funds to take care of all the renovations and to pay off the creditors, and I’ll send my best managers in to take charge. And then, obviously, you’ll come back with me to Brazil.’

                ‘There’s nothing obvious about it,’ Lizzie exclaimed. ‘At least, not to me.’

                ‘So you don’t want to finish the course, play in the match, or be awarded your diploma?’

                ‘I want all those things, but not with any strings attached. If I come back, we both know what will happen, and I don’t want to be accused by anyone of sleeping my way to a diploma.’