‘Oh, the best. So much fun. Very . . . needed.’ She refused to look Emil’s way, even though his stare was like a hot needle dragging over her skin.

Linus looked between her and Mats with open curiosity. ‘I didn’t know he was your boyfriend.’

‘Oh! He’s my . . .’ A silence opened up. Her brain wasn’t working fast enough to work out what to say.

‘Special friend?’ Mats supplied for her, looking bemused.

‘Yes!’ she said, pointing a finger at him. ‘Very good.’

‘We’re special friends, mate,’ Mats said with a wink.

‘So does that mean you’re going to New Zealand too?’ Panic lit in his eyes.

‘What?’ she asked, bewildered.

‘Mats is racing in the America’s Cup. He’s going to go over there soon. You’re not leaving too, are you?’

She stared at him, a little boy with two fathers and a mother who couldn’t choose. ‘Oh Liney –’ She went to put a hand to his cheek, as she so often did, but before she could make contact, Hanna pulled him back.

‘Now, Linus, we’ve discussed this. Bell has her own life too. We can’t keep expecting her to give up everything just for us.’ Hanna looked back at Bell and Mats with a smile. ‘Apologies. We should let you lovebirds get back to the party.’

‘Okay, sure,’ Mats said, clearly relieved. ‘Well, good seeing you all. Sleep tight, champ.’ He gave Linus a high five. ‘Nice to meet you at long last, Hanna. Emil, stay strong, man.’ Mats held out his hand, but there was a noticeable hesitation before his boss took it.

‘See you Monday, Bell,’ Linus said reluctantly, as he was led off by his mother.

‘Yes, Monday, dude,’ Bell said quietly, feeling Emil’s stare lift off her finally. Her gaze lingered on the trio as they walked down the gangplanks to the berth where the paint-flaked, underpowered boat was moored. To the unwitting, they looked just like a regular, highly photogenic, small family. There was nothing to indicate they were anything but.

‘Shit,’ Mats hissed under his breath, raking his hands through his hair as soon as they were out of earshot.

‘What?’ she asked, watching them become silhouetted in the harbour lights, Emil jumping into the boat first and holding out a hand for Hanna. She looked more beautiful than ever in a red silk dress. It was a dress that said she would be sleeping in his bed again tonight.

‘Did you see Emil’s face? He looked like he was ready to explode.’

‘Did he?’ she asked, swaying slightly and feeling an unexpected surge of triumph.

‘You didn’t notice?’

‘I wasn’t looking.’

‘You don’t think he had a problem with . . . us, do you?’

She shrugged angrily. ‘Why should he? You’re his boat’s skipper and I’m his kid’s nanny. What does he care if he we hook up? It’s none of his business what we do in our own time. We’re employed by him. Not owned by him.’