Chapter 5
On Friday morning, Brooke arrived at our house with the children and two large equipment cases.
Owen had an emergency at a property closing. He would join them at the marina later.
"The booking office will sort it out," he said into his phone as he came downstairs.
I looked at the suitcases.
"There is no voyage to sort out. Everyone received the cancellation."
"Brooke's already hired her crew."
"Then she should speak to them."
Finn stood beside the front door in a blue sweatshirt with a whale on it.
"Are we still going?"
Owen looked at me as though the answer were a punishment I was choosing.
I knelt to straighten the strap on Finn's backpack.
"The boat isn't leaving today. Marcus has explained that to the adults. Whatever happens next, you and Ava will be looked after."
"Dad said you didn't want to come."
"That wasn't true. I wasn't asked."
Ava looked at her father. He reached for a suitcase.
"Can you come now?" Finn asked.
"The adults have some things to resolve. None of this is your fault."
Brooke sounded the horn.
They left for the marina anyway.
At 10:06, Marcus called.
"They're at the boarding entrance. Brooke says there must be a mistake. I'm walking over now."
He ended the call. I opened the yacht's exterior camera feed.
Beyond the stern, through the railings and marina gate, I could see Brooke standing with her cases. Ava held Finn's backpack while he tried his visitor badge against the reader.
The light stayed red.
Brooke spoke to the photographer, then moved Finn two steps to his left. Away from the sign pointing toward reception.
The photographer lifted his camera.
Marcus entered the frame seventy-two seconds after the first failed badge attempt. He pointed toward the guest lounge and helped Ava with her bag.
Brooke turned toward the yacht's camera.
She knew I could see her.
My phone rang.
"Are you enjoying this?" she demanded.
"Are Ava and Finn inside the lounge?"
"You humiliated me in front of my crew."
"You received the cancellation on Wednesday."
"Owen said he'd handle you."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Marcus has arranged a car," I said. "You can choose where to take the children."
"They were promised a vacation."
"I wasn't part of that promise. I was only expected to pay for it."
Her voice hardened.
"People are going to find out what kind of stepmother you are."
She ended the call.
Forty minutes later, my colleague Priya sent me a link.
Brooke's photograph showed Ava and Finn beside their luggage, with the closed marina gate behind them. Marcus had been cropped out. So had the entrance to the guest lounge.
The caption read:
Some women will strand children at a marina rather than let them enjoy one week with their parents.