‘Who’s Jimmy boy?’
‘James Logan. Of Images fame. You must have heard of him.’
‘Of course. Who hasn’t?’ Even if he hadn’t been Sydney’s most successful advertising man, his marriage to a supermodel— and subsequent divorce—had given him some notoriety.
‘I went to school with him as well. And no, James wasn’t a scholarship boy. His father had made a fortune in transport. Not that his father bankrolled Images. He didn’t. Jimmy boy built that business from scratch. I suspect he had something to prove to his old man. He’s a bit on the intense side, is James. And somewhat ruthless when he wants to be.’
‘Aren’t most successful businessmen these days?’
‘Some of us are.’
Kathryn refrained from commenting that she didn’t categorise him as a successful businessman. He would inherit his fortune, not make it for himself. Still, he’d certainly impressed her yesterday with the way he’d handled that board meeting. He really was very intelligent, with brilliant people skills. It was a pity that he didn’t have a better work ethic. Or, indeed, better ethics all round.
Still, she could not bring herself to think too badly of him today. No matter how selfish his motives, she would be eternally grateful to him for his offer of marriage.
‘I don’t think I’ve thanked you properly,’ she said suddenly. ‘You have no idea what it will mean to me, having Val’s house in my life.’
‘Which is why I want to see this place for myself. What time is it?’
Kathryn glanced at her wristwatch. ‘Just after eleven.’
They finally made it to the motorway, the city quickly left behind as Hugh put his foot down.
‘I could put the top down, if you like,’ he said as they zoomed over the crest of a hill.
‘I’d rather you didn’t.’ Kathryn was afraid she might like it too much. Or begin having even more fantasies about herself and Hugh.
‘Fine,’ he said in his usual easy-going fashion. ‘So, is there anywhere decent to eat at Pearl Beach?’
‘There’s a very good restaurant right on the beach,’ she told him. ‘But it’s often frequented by the rich and famous. So I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to take me there. Not if you want to keep our relationship a secret.’
‘We don’t have a relationship.’
‘You know what I mean. I suggest we stop at Woy Woy on the way through and I’ll get us a takeaway. Then we can eat it in Val’s house.’
‘But how will we get in? It’d be all locked up, surely.’
‘I had copies of the key made at Christmas. There’s only the one.’
His sidewards glance showed surprise. ‘That was naughty of you.’
‘I suppose it was. But at the time, I thought it would soon be mine.’
‘And so it will be.’
‘Yes,’ she choked out.
‘You’re not going to cry again, are you?’
‘Would it matter if I did?’
‘Yes,’ he said sharply.
‘I don’t see why.’
‘I can’t cope with women crying.’
‘Then I suggest you treat them better.’
He laughed. ‘Max was so right about you.’
‘In what way?’
‘He said it would do me good to have a woman around who didn’t pander to me. Who always told me the truth.’
Kathryn stared over at him. Then she laughed. If only he knew
He stared back at her for a second. ‘Do you know, I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh out loud?’
‘Is it really?’
‘Yeah. I’ve heard the occasional snigger. But not a real laugh.’
‘Oh, dear, you make me sound awful.’
‘Not awful. Just way too serious. Life is very short. You don’t want to look back on it and regret that you haven’t lived it to its fullest.’
Kathryn wasn’t sure what to make of that statement. It was rather facile, she thought. Especially coming from a man born with all the privileges money could bring. He had no idea what it was to live the life she’d lived as a child.
‘Life is not always easy, Hugh,’ she said, somewhat defensively. ‘Sometimes, survival is the name of the game. You don’t have a clue what it’s like to wonder where your next meal is coming from. Or whether you’ll be able to go on the simplest school excursion, because there isn’t the money to pay for it.’