“I’d like to do some work in Central America, there are some fierce drug cartels there that make life miserable for the local population. The governments don’t do anything to help, but they would if pressure was put on them by the US.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

He smiled and ate an olive. When he’d swallowed he said, “Yes, I imagine it will have some risks involved. Neither the government or the drug barons would take kindly to having their illegal activities exposed to the rest of the world.”

“But you would do it anyway.”

“Yes. I would do it anyway.”

She frowned.

He chuckled. “But don’t panic. It’s just a thought, a seed of an idea. It will probably never happen—nine out of ten proposals get turned down by the board because they’re either too expensive or too risky.”

“Well this one sounds far too risky. I’m sure your family would be worried sick.”

“There’s just Mum left now, Dad passed five years ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, but she’s fine. Happy playing bridge in Oxford with her friends and doting on one of my sister’s two kids.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It is, they’re four and two, a handful but adorable. My other sister lives in America, she’s Roxy’s mum, as you know. What about you, Megan? Have you got family nearby?”

She pulled in a deep breath. This was a question she’d dreaded. “No, they live in Sydney.”

“Wow, that’s a long way off.”

“It is.”

“But you don’t have an Australian accent.”

“Well no, I’ve only been there once.” She smiled. “They emigrated a few years ago. Dad had a great opportunity, the last big promotion before retirement and they jumped at the chance. I could have gone too, but I had a life here, thoughts of setting up my own business, friends, you know…”

“Still, that must have been hard, saying goodbye.”

“Horrendous to be honest, but I put a brave face on it.” The turmoil of emotions had set her nerves on edge for weeks. She’d been happy and excited for them but she’d been the one, after all, being left behind. For a while she’d grieved for them, the ache in her chest a constant dark ache that had stalked her.

“Do you regret not going too?”

“Sometimes, especially when I see my sister getting taller. She’s turning from a teen to a young woman and I’m not there with her.”

“Oh, how old is she?”

“Seventeen and loving the Aussie life. Spends her days at the beach and cooking on the barbeque. Still hassles me to send her shoes every season, though, which of course I do because I’m a soft touch.” Megan smiled at the thought of Olivia, her sunny personality and her pretty face. Australia suited her down to the ground.