Andrea gave me a quick look and then turned to the others. “Does anyone here have a complaint about Josie they’d like to share with the group? All of you have told me to my face you think she’s great. So can someone,” she looked pointedly at Evan, “tell me why Mr. P said he’s looking for another nanny?”

“What?” Rod exploded. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Ahh, fuck,” growled Evan and stood. He flung his napkin down on his unfinished food, making Chef flinch. “Bloody fool.”

Evan and Chef then shared a look.

“What?” I asked. “What’s going on?”

Chef chuckled and shook his head.

“For the love of God,” Andrea complained. “Evan?”

“It’s nothing,” he said. “Relax, Josie. I’ll get it sorted out.”

“There’s nothing to sort out,” I said. “I’m definitely not staying where I’m not wanted or needed. This is probably my last night.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Evan didn’t return before dinner was cleared. Back in my cabin, it took less than twenty-five minutes to pack my belongings. Glancing at my watch, I saw it was almost Dauphine’s bedtime. I nibbled the corner of my thumbnail as I debated what to do. Should I go and find her? It was my night off, but if I left tomorrow, I wouldn’t see her. I checked my emails on my phone for something new from Tabitha. Or a response to any of my job applications. There was nothing. I opened the text from Meredith that I hadn’t had a chance to look at yet.

Mer: I found out what coo means. I think he said “cul.” It’s pronounced a similar way, and I bumped into that French lady at Armand’s so I asked her too.

And? What does it mean?

Mer: it means ‘ass.’

Ass? As in butt?

Mer: Yep. He was talking about your ass. I’m sure of it.

About getting rid of it? Like fire her ass.

Mer: Maybe. *Cringe emoji* Sorry. Did he do it? Did he ask you to leave? Tabs said he might but not why.

Andrea appeared at my open door. She’d put on some make up and wore a soft blue sundress and sparkly flip-flops. Out of her starched, white yacht uniform, she looked so much prettier. Beautiful, even.

“Hey,” she said softly. “You okay?”

“Not really. But there’s not much I can do about it. Not sure what Evan was on about, but trust me—I don’t want to hang around to be fired. I’ll draft my resignation letter in the morning. You look stunning, by the way.”

“Thank you.” She looked around. “You packed.”

“I’m leaving first thing tomorrow,” I answered by way of explanation. “This is where I came on the boat, this can be where I leave it.”