‘Not the way he did it. Anyway, he told me if I pursued the issue, he’d cut me out of his will and sack me from the Factory.’

I honestly didn’t know what to say.

‘However, if I keep my mouth shut, not only will I keep my share of my inheritance, he’ll also give the IPA whatever money we need to stabilise the castle and help me get the rest of the shire on side with any legalities.’

‘He cares about his reputation that much?’

Dan nodded. ‘Crazy, huh?’

‘So, have you made a decision?’ I reckoned a man as proud and horrible as Stephen Emerson clearly couldn’t be trusted to keep such a promise after he died. What if Dan did as he asked and then he left him nothing anyway?

‘Mum, hurry up!’

I glanced over to see Payton sticking her head out of the cafe.

I sighed and looked back to Dan, hating to leave him in the middle of such a big conversation. ‘Sorry, I’m going to have to go. I’ve got my kids for another three days but then maybe we can catch up and talk more about this?’

‘That would be awesome. Thanks. Good to see you’re having fun with your family.’

I snorted in a most unladylike manner.

‘You’re not having a good time?’

‘Not really.’ I told him about the kids being bored, me trying to get us to do stuff together and our less-than-successful trip to the Pinnacles and The Lobster Factory. ‘Saxon and I aren’t getting along. I’m thinking maybe I should take them home early.’

Dan considered all this a moment. ‘Do you think they’d like to come and have a bonfire on the island? I was thinking it would be a good way to get rid of some of the fallen tree branches and stuff.’

‘What? At night?’

His lips quirked. ‘That’s generally the best time for bonfires.’

‘Just the four of us?’ I asked, wondering if that would be weird. How would the kids feel spending the evening with a man who wasn’t their dad? Even if nothing was going on between me and Dan, it still might be too soon.

‘We could ask the rest of the committee if they’d like to come out, bring their children as well? Max and Shanae have a girl about your son’s age.’

‘That’d be great. Maybe if they knew some other kids their own age here, they wouldn’t hate the Point so much.’

‘They hate the Point? That’s tragic.’ Dan placed a hand theatrically against his heart. ‘Bonfire it is then. I’m not taking no for an answer—I’m going to make it my mission to convert Saxon and Payton before they leave.’