Page 28 of Don't Believe A Word

‘To be honest I didn’t see much of him – maybe I was avoiding him, I’m not sure, but I’d heard from the children by then so I was worried about them …’

‘But he slept with you that night? As in, you shared a bed?’

Cristy nodded and felt her heart contract at the way she’d feigned sleep when he’d come into the room. She simply hadn’t felt up to any sort of heavy discussion, and still hadn’t in the morning which was why she’d left the way she had.

‘And you haven’t been in touch since?’

Cristy shook her head.

‘Not even with his mother?’

‘Well, of course I’ve emailed her and she replied saying they’re all missing me. I don’t know if David’s included in that, but if he is he should be speaking for himself.’

Meena shook her head in dismay. ‘You need to have this out with him,’ she declared.

‘Maybe, but now I want to hear about your time in India …’

‘Hang on, before we go there, I hear Isabelle Penny dropped in on you today. How did it go?’

‘You mean Iz,’ Cristy said dryly. ‘And what little we saw of her decided us that she’s an unusual sort of person that could either grow on us, or drive us mad. Only time will tell. Now, back to you and your trip. How was your wonderful mother? And did you remember to send her my love?’

As Meena launched into a colourful and hilarious accountof her and Harry’s Christmas in Mumbai, Cristy found herself laughing and unwinding in a way she hadn’t since leaving Guernsey.

Finally, after finishing the bottle and an extra glass each, they left by the iron steps of the old industrial building to wait for Meena’s Uber outside the cycle works. The night was icy cold and damp, but alive with Friday revellers as the city’s youngsters descended on the hotspots.

‘Are you going to be all right?’ Meena asked, as her driver pulled up alongside them.

‘Absolutely fine,’ Cristy assured her.

‘Why don’t I drop you?’

‘Because it’s in the opposite direction and it’ll take me five minutes to walk from here.’ Pulling her in for a hug, she said, ‘It was lovely to see you.’

‘You too,’ Meena smiled. ‘Just don’t be so hard on yourself, OK?’

‘Promise,’ and aware of her mobile vibrating she stood back for Meena to get into the car.

Please let it be him.

Moments later, as she took the phone from her bag, she saw that it was Hayley and decided not to answer. She simply couldn’t face her daughter’s wise counsel this evening, so slid the phone back into her pocket and began walking towards the swing bridge. By the time she’d crossed it and reached her apartment complex a message had arrived from Hayley. She waited until she was inside, coat off, kettle on and feet up, before opening it.

Hey Mum, just checking in on you. Hope you’re OK – Dad keeps asking me if it’s serious between you and David. I hope it’s all right with you but I’ve ended up telling him ‘very’. David’s a good guy. He definitely gets my and Aiden’s vote.

Love you, call anytime.

H?

CHAPTER EIGHT

CRISTY: ‘OK, Sadie, can you talk us through what you have there?’

SADIE: ‘Of course. I’ll be glad to.’

In spite of the bravado in her voice, Sadie hesitated, and took a deep, slightly shaky breath. Jasper was at the small dining table next to her, his treacle-coloured hair slick to his head, his handsome but unshaven face showing his concern. They were at his parents’ weekend retreat near Bradford-on-Avon, a converted stable block with far-reaching views of the countryside and so much olde-worlde charm it was like being in a cosy antique shop.

Cristy watched them quietly, sensing their connection, understanding Sadie’s uncertainty as well as her gratitude for his support. This wasn’t going to be easy for her, Cristy knew she’d be having difficulties too in her shoes, but Sadie had insisted on going through with the recording.

Eventually, she laid her hands on the box file in front of her and began to describe it.