Finding Sky

‘Simon, Sal y, delighted to meet you in person after our phone cal s. And this must be Sky?’

Her smile was friendly, but her emotions told another story, flickering between cool blue calculation and a tinge of red violence. I hoped my face did not betray my revulsion at seeing her again.

I had to pretend I stil did not remember.

‘Yes, it is,’ said Simon. ‘Thanks for inviting us.’

She waved us to three chairs across the desk from hers. ‘I was hoping that this weekend would give you a chance to understand my hotels, what kind of clientele we cater for, and what artistic tastes they might have. I think you’l find our rooms range from the economy to the exclusive and our guests’

preferences are on as wide a scale.’

This job was bogus—I could see it in the yel ow lights now glowing around her. She was enjoying spi

‘I’ve got a ful programme worked out for you and one of my assistant managers wil be dedicated to facilitating your visit. But that no doubt sounds very boring for your daughter.’

‘Sky’s happy to fit in with us,’ Sal y said. ‘She’l be no bother.’

‘No, no, that won’t be necessary. I thought she might prefer to find out what Vegas has to offer young people.’

Simon shifted in his seat. ‘Wel , now, Mrs Toscana, that’s real y kind of you, but you know what Sky’s been through recently; we don’t want to leave her on her own in an unfamiliar place.’

‘Natural y, I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I’ve asked my younger brother if he could spare the time to look after her. I’m sure he’l show her a good time.

Maybe they could catch an afternoon show. The Cirque du Soleil is amazing—she can’t miss that!’

Sean Kel y’s idea of a good time was to drain me of al my emotions and mess around with my head.

So this was the plan: to throw me to the Sean-lion while my parents were shepherded off to play in the hotel. I only hoped Victor and Zed were getting al this and would step in before things went too far.

‘Would you like that, darling?’ Sal y asked.

‘That’s fine,’ I replied, not quite able to bring myself to thank Maria.

‘Lovely.’ The lines around Sal y’s eyes crinkled into a relieved smile. ‘Then we’l see you back here this evening for di

‘I’ve booked my private dining room for us, so you can meet other members of the senior staff.’ Maria smiled, displaying an expensive set of teeth. ‘But Sky might prefer to grab a burger with Sean. He’s waiting for her just outside. I’ve got a few business matters I’d like to discuss with your parents, Sky. I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Fine.’ She was a real cow—sending me off with the creep outside while pretending she was doing me a favour. ‘I’l see you later then.’

‘Let’s play it by ear,’ Simon said happily. ‘Come back when you’ve had enough, love.’

Reluctantly, I got up. The only redeeming part of this plan was the fact that my parents were going to be far away from any danger. I checked my new phone was in my jeans’ pocket. Victor had given it to me that morning, saying he’d programmed in his and other emergency numbers just in case. ‘Keep your phone switched on, Simon—I’l cal when I’m finished seeing the sights.’

‘Don’t rush if you’re enjoying yourself.’ Sal y smiled conspiratorial y at Maria.

That was highly unlikely—not unless it involved seeing our hosts led away in handcuffs.

I’d forgotten just how repulsive Sean was in the flesh.

It wasn’t the fact that he was overweight—that could have made him friendly and jol y—it was the dampness of his palm, the smarminess in his smile, the little moustache that looked like an earwig.

‘Sky Bright? Delighted to meet you.’ He held out a hand which I had to take but I slid free as soon as possible.

‘Hi. You’re Sean, right?’

‘Yes. Maria’s asked me to take care of you.’

I bet she has.

‘What do you want to see first? The tables?’ He led the way to the lifts.

‘Am I al owed to gamble? I thought I was under-age.’

He gave me a wink. ‘Let’s say it’s a special arrangement just for you. I’l get you some chips on the house and you can have a play without losing a dime of your own money. I’m generous—I’l let you keep any wi

‘That’s real y kind of you.’ Not.

He took me to the cashier’s window and drew out chips worth a thousand dol ars. ‘That should get you started.’

‘I don’t know the rules of any of the card games.’

‘Then let’s try roulette—that’s child’s play.’

This whole thing was like a spin of roulette. Black or red? Would we come out a wi

‘OK. That sounds fun,’ I said with feigned enthusiasm.

I swiftly lost half the money through bad guesses, then won a quarter of it back with a lucky punt. I could see how the game could become addictive. There was the hope that the next spin would favour you. No skil was involved; only good fortune.

‘Another go?’ Sean raked in my wi

‘OK.’ I shoved nearly al of my money on an outside bet on the evens square.

I lost.

‘Hey ho,’ I sighed, trying not to be bothered by al this money going back to the hotel. It was only leprechaun gold, like in Harry Potter.

Put everything on the fifteen, Zed whispered.

I hid my smile behind my hand. I knew he’d be unbeatable at gambling. I placed my remaining chips on fifteen. Sean shook his head.

‘Are you sure, Sky? A bet like that is cal ed a straight up—a risky move.’

‘Yeah, I like to live dangerously.’ I gave him a brash smile.

The other participants chuckled indulgently at my rookie’s enthusiasm.

‘Wel now,’ drawled a Stetson-wearing good ol’

boy from Texas, ‘if the pretty lady says black fifteen is lucky, I’l put my money where she’s put hers.

Thirty-five to one—great odds—if you win.’

From the gentle orange glow around the man, I could tel he was only trying to make me feel better about my rashness in the spirit of ‘misery loves company’ when I inevitably lost it al .

‘Trust me,’ I told him seriously. ‘I’m feeling good about this.’

With a laugh, he shoved a sizeable chunk of his money on the fifteen. Catching on to the fun of the moment, several other people risked a chip or two on the same square.

With a confident smile, the croupier spun the big wheel and dropped in the bal .

‘First time, honey?’ asked my Texan, tucking his thumbs into his belt.

‘Yes.’

‘You’ve got a nice accent there.’

‘I’m English.’

‘Pleased to meet you. Now, little lady, don’t go getting upset when you lose your money—treat it as a lesson. Wish I had when I was your age. I’d’ve had myself a nice condo in Florida if I hadn’t wasted it al in places like this.’

I smiled and nodded, turning my attention back to the slowing wheel. Little did he know but he was one step closer to that retirement place.

The bal jumped, clattered, then dropped into its slot. The croupier looked down and swal owed.

‘Black fifteen!’

There was a gasp from al at the table, bar me.

Then …

‘Yee-ha!’ The Texan threw his hat in the air. Next he picked me up and spun me round, giving me a kiss on both cheeks. ‘Luck is a lady and here she is!’

Our joint wi

‘Promise to spend it on a place in Florida?’ I asked the Texan, who introduced himself as George Mitchel the Third. I could just see him handing it al back to the Kel ys with another rash bet.

‘I promise, honey. And even more, I’l cal it after you. What’s your name?’

‘Sky Bright.’

‘Perfect. Bright Skies here I come.’ With a wave of his hat, he headed for the cashier’s office, hitching his trousers up by the belt.