Page 75 of Don't Believe A Word

At a fancy dinner in a super-smart location for many of Bristol’s elite? Him in black tie, her in a sparkly dress with her hair pinned up in a chic-messy-style, and their eyes meeting over glasses of champagne. An evening full of easy laughter and who knew what else …

She couldn’t go, of course, and not only because he was married and she might be going to Guernsey. Matthew had already asked her to be his plus-one at the very same event. The coincidence,coupled with the sheer absurdity of it … She was sure if she told Connor he’d laugh out loud.

She was right, he did.

‘I swear to God,’ he cried, slapping the steering wheel, ‘if we did a series about your love life we’d triple the ratings.’

‘You’re so funny,’ she told him darkly.

‘I’m glad you think so. Does Meena know about this?’

‘Of course not, and please don’t tell her. I’m having a hard enough time trying to sort things out in my head … Not that there’s anything to sort out. I’m obviously not going to the dinner with Matthew so he can get everyone speculating on us being back together, but if I turn him down I can’t go with Robert either. Not that I would, it feels too much like a date for me to consider it, and even if it’s not, it’ll look like one and that would just be a slap in the face for Matthew. For Robert’s wife as well, who he’s probably not planning to cheat on. I just don’t want anyone thinking that’s what’s happening and everyone will, because he’s so gorgeous why wouldn’t I want to flaunt him in Matthew’s face after what Matthew did to me?’

Still entertained, Connor said, ‘Who knew life could get so complicated for a singleton approaching fifty? I reckon most women your age would kill to have just one man interested in them, and you havethree.’

‘If you’re including David in that …’

‘Of course I am, and you should see him on your own when we go. What harm can it do?’

‘The same sort of harm I might do you if you make one more jibe about my age.’

He let the silence run for a moment, then glancing at her said, ‘You’re keen to go really, aren’t you? I mean with Robert.’

Having to admit it, she said, ‘If the circumstances were different, then maybe. He’s great company and I imagine he’s a really good speaker.’

‘Then go. He hasn’t said it’s a date and has he done anything else to make you think he’d like to … you know, get you into some horizontal dancing?’

Wrinkling her nose, she said, ‘What kind of an expression is that?’

He shrugged. ‘I think it’s commonly called a euphemism, but if you’d like me to spell it out …’

‘No thanks. And the answer’s no, he has not made any overtures of that sort, I’m just … Well, let’s leave it that he’s married, OK? Shall we change the subject now and concentrate on where we’re going?’

‘No probs, but just tell me this, what would you say if David was inviting you?’

Trying not to be annoyed, she said, ‘As Matthew’s going to be there, the answer would be the same. Now, it’s saying to take the next left just up here and then we should probably be more or less there. Remind me again who we’re going to see?’

Clearly amused Connor followed directions to the address they’d been given and a few minutes later they were pulling up outside a double-fronted detached house, one of five in a small cul-de-sac, all with private driveways and fenced-off gardens.

‘Is this where Edwin lives, or his son?’ Cristy asked, as they got out of the car.

‘Him, apparently. The son’s got a place in town, but he’s going to be here.’

‘If he’s from a second marriage he could be younger than Sadie.’

‘If this is him coming to meet us I’d say he’s about your age.’

Seeing a wiry man in his late thirties heading down the garden path, she had to smile. Connor was so droll.

‘Cristy! Connor!’ James Prosser cried warmly, as they got out of the car. ‘Good to meet you. I hope it’s all right to use your first names.’

‘Of course,’ Cristy responded, as they shook hands. He seemed quite a nice man all told, kindly eyes, good smile, a little grey at the temples, and was apparently a bit of a toff given his jaunty cravat and plummy voice.

As he greeted Connor she tried to figure out where he might actually fit into Edwin’s pantheon of past-players. He clearly predated Mia’s marriage to his father, which was twenty-odd years ago, so maybe Edwin had had several wives along the way, or just several children with various mothers. It hardly mattered, they were only interested in his relationship with Mia, or, morepertinently, in what had happened after he’d stumbled across Sadie and been given his marching orders.

‘Dad’s waiting inside,’ James told them jovially. ‘I’ve made coffee, but tea’s just as easy if you prefer.’

‘Coffee’s fine,’ Connor assured him, going first along the garden path.