‘You’re kidding me?!’ Roman was up on his feet. ‘That’s my livelihood! I’m hanging on to my job by a thread as it is.’

‘Apparently, according to Callie, she’s gone in shouting the odds and has upset a few diners, and Flynn was about to ring the police when she made a comment about her dad working there.’

Roman was already reaching for his house keys. ‘This is typical of Megan, doesn’t give a damn about anyone…’

Ella could see that Roman was getting angry and she took hold of his hands. ‘And breathe… Don’t go shouting or losing your temper, she needs our help. Let’s stay calm, get Megan calm, and fingers crossed, her place is still available at Oasis Lodge. This isn’t Megan, it’s the alcohol. It’s an addiction. Okay?’

Roman nodded. ‘I just want my girl back, I just don’t recognise her at all.’

‘And she will come back, but what she needs is support, not anger. Let’s stay calm.’

Roman exhaled loudly. ‘I’ll do my best.’

‘Good, because that’s all any of us can do.’

As the speedboat bounced over the waves, they arrived at The Lakehouse in record time. Callie was looking out at the entrance of the restaurant and hurried down the jetty towards them.

‘What’s going on? Where’s Megan?’ asked Ella.

‘We aren’t quite sure. Flynn asked her to leave because she was causing a scene. Honestly, we weren’t aware she was your daughter, Roman. The boat was about to leave so Wilbur agreed to sail her back to Heartcross, but then she started shouting in the restaurant, staggering between the tables, and a couple of glasses were broken. Flynn was in the middle of an important business meeting when Megan started shouting about her dad working here, and that’s when we realised.’

Roman exhaled loudly. ‘I’m so sorry Callie, I don’t know what to say, I really don’t.’

‘All I can say is Flynn’s not best pleased; he can’t have scenes like this in restaurant. We are trying to build up the reputation of The Lakehouse, not cause any more bad press. He wants to see you.’

Ella looked towards Roman. ‘You go and see Flynn and explain the situation – and I mean the whole situation.’

‘What’s going on?’ asked Callie, looking between the pair of them. ‘What situation?’

‘Roman just needs to speak to Flynn first,’ Ella placed her hand in the small of his back. ‘You go.’ She looked back towards Callie. ‘So did Megan get on the boat?’

Callie shook her head. ‘No, I got a glimpse of her literally a moment ago over the far end of the bay. I was about to go after her when I saw you arrive.’

‘I’ll go and see if I can find her, and Roman – go and talk to Flynn!’