‘You’ve heard of cryptocurrency, right?’
‘Oh for heaven’s sake, you’ve not invested in that?’
‘No, it’s something like that but better,’ he said. ‘We just need to wait it out and we’ll make a fortune.’
‘I don’t take risks, so I’ll have my share back now please.’ Darla held out her palm.
Patrick glanced at it and carried on. ‘I can’t I’m afraid, because that’s part of the agreement that you have to leave it invested.’
‘Show me proof that it’s in my name.’ She stared him down.
‘Yeah, you don’t understand. It doesn’t work like that. But trust me, your money is safe.’
‘No, it’s not, because it wasn’t even my money. It was off credit cards and maxed-out overdrafts, you moron. What money do you have to give me?’ she asked, sitting up straight. Clocking Ros’s raised thumbs up from behind his head spurred her on.
‘Sorry, I never said I had any money for you.’ Patrick winced.
‘Yes you did!’ Her last shred of patience was disintegrating.
‘But that’s the money I’ve invested for you. For us.’
The cheek of this guy was unbelievable. ‘If you don’t actually have any cash on you now, how were you proposing to fix things?’
‘By explaining that I had no choice but to leave and that your money is safe. You just need to fob off the banks and credit card companies for a while longer and then it’ll be sorted.’
Darla was astonished. ‘Is that what you think I’ve been doing all these months? Fobbing people off?’
Patrick appeared confused.
‘Bloody hell, Patrick. I lost the flat and everything in it, all my personal stuff including my grandmother’s clock.’ She swallowed hard to keep her focus. ‘Ever since then I’ve been paying off whatever I could so I didn’t go sodding bankrupt.’
Patrick sat back. ‘But you’re okay now. You’re settled here. Got somewhere to live?’
‘I can’t afford anywhere to live. And while we’re on that, how the hell did you know I was staying in Southampton?’
He looked a little smug. ‘As well as keeping an eye on our joint account, I can still get into one of your online shopping accounts and you’ve changed the address to somewhere near here. Sounded posh actually. You ordered some book about goats. I figured you were doing all right. Are you? Are you doing okay, Darla? Because I have been worried about you.’
She made a mental note to change all her passwords as soon as she got in. She’d changed most of them, but clearly she’d missed one. ‘I’m fine, thanks. If that’s it, I think I will get this put into a takeaway cup and get going.’ Darla pointed at her large mocha where the cream was melting and dripping down the sides.
‘Actually, there was one thing.’ He gestured for her to stay sitting down. ‘There’s this amazing opportunity that came up and all I need is—’
‘You are unbelievable. How can you rock up here and ask me for money?!’
‘You’ve not heard how much yet.’ Patrick seemed surprised when she got up and took her drink to the counter. He followed her and waited while the waitress swapped her drink to a takeaway cup. ‘Come on, Darla. I bet you’ve got a bit tucked away. I’ll double your money.’
‘No, apparently I’ve already got a large investment in something like cryptocurrency that’s going to make my fortune so I’m all good thanks.’ She rolled her eyes. What an idiot she’d been to think for a moment he might not be the complete wanker he’d proved himself to be.
‘Ha, you’re funny. So . . .’ He wobbled his head. ‘Will you come back to me on the cash or . . . ?’
‘No, Patrick,’ she said, taking her mocha in the to-go cup and mouthing her thanks at the waitress. ‘It’s a big fat no, and it will always be a no, so unless you have a few thousand quid for me in good old reliable cash, then please don’t ever contact me again.’
She went to turn away and he grabbed her arm and leaned in. ‘The thing is, I need some cash urgently.’
‘Not my problem. But while you’re here I would like to say that you are a total and utter wanker.’ Darla wrenched her arm free and stormed out of the coffee shop. She walked for a bit, her heart thumping. She checked over her shoulder and he wasn’t following her, which was a relief. She headed down to the quay where she and Ros had planned to meet. Once on the boat she went inside the saloon and sat for a moment with her large mocha to try and calm herself down. She was furious with Patrick but she was also cross with herself for daring to hope that he would pay up. With shaking hands she got her phone out, went into her online shopping account and changed the password. The last thing she needed was him ordering stuff on there.
The boat rocked slightly as someone boarded and she gasped. ‘It’s me,’ called out Ros.
‘Down here,’ called back Darla.
Ros carefully reversed into the saloon of the boat and gave her a hug. The unexpected contact made her feel emotional. ‘You did so well back there. Are you okay?’ she asked.
‘Yeah.’ Darla took a breath and thought things through. ‘I might not have gained anything other than the satisfaction of telling him he’s a wanker, but I’ve not lost anything either. I’m fine.’
‘What a weasel that Patrick is.’
‘He’s worse than a weasel. They’re actually quite cute unless you’re a chicken, then not so much.’
Ros was giving her an odd look.
‘Anyway, let’s crack on,’ Darla continued. ‘The sooner we get this cleaned the quicker we can have a glass of wine.’
Darla got out the cleaning products and explained what she wanted Ros to do, when there was that slight sway in the boat. Darla froze.
‘Hello again,’ said Patrick, appearing above them.
Chapter Thirty
Patrick peered into the saloon below. ‘This is pretty swanky. Isn’t it?’
