Page 114 of Gold Diggers

Their bedroom was just next door and she went through. She could see Adam’s Brioni linen jacket slung across the back of a high-backed leather chair and, picking it up, she slid her hand into the inside pocket, her fingers brushing against a bunch of keys, and a money clip holding together a sheaf of notes. She pulled out a butter-soft leather wallet and opened it. Ignoring the platinum and black credit cards, she slipped a finger into the silk lining and pulled out a piece of neatly folded paper.

‘Tina. I’ve got …’ her words trailed off as she realized it wasn’t a wrap of cocaine but a folded receipt. Her heart leapt as she saw it was from a jeweller on Bond Street: a ‘gold and diamond teardrop pendant’ costing £1500. Fifteen hundred. Her elation was immediately replaced by a twinge of disappointment.

‘So. Has he got any?’ asked Christina, appearing in the doorframe.

‘No,’ replied Karin quickly. ‘I’m going to find Adam.’

Karin was standing by the swimming pool, a glistening electric blue against the black of the night, staring into the darkness.

She was sipping a mojito slowly, alone with her thoughts, when Adam crept up behind her and pulled her close.

‘Unless I’m very much mistaken,’ he said, showing her his watch, ‘it’s gone midnight and that means one thing …’

‘It means I’m twenty-nine again,’ smiled Karin, resting her head on his shoulder.

Adam nodded and took her hand, leading her inside, the laughter of the crowd growing faint behind them. ‘I might have been late today,’ smiled Adam, ‘but at least I come bearing gifts. I take it you can’t wait another minute for your present?’

Karin tried to look enthusiastic. ‘Patience has never been one of my virtues.’

‘Well then, step this way for the show and tell …’

He pulled her into their bedroom and Karin slipped off her sandals and arranged herself elegantly on the bed, letting the ceiling fan woosh a stream of cool air across her body.

Adam rummaged in his black suitcase, then walked back to Karin with his hands behind his back. ‘Close your eyes and hold out your hands,’ he teased.

Karin sat up and did as she was told. ‘Happy birthday, honey,’ whispered Adam, placing a warm kiss on her lips and a package in her upturned palms.

Karin opened her eyes to see a long claret box tied up with a gold ribbon. She tore off the ribbon and flipped up the lid, which opened with a satisfying click.

Lying on a bed of black velvet was a string of clear and primrose-coloured tear-shaped stones, sparkling in the lamplight. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. It was exquisite. Adam took the bracelet and fumbled to fasten it around Karin’s wrist.

‘Diamonds and canary diamonds,’ he said, grinning. ‘Do you like?’

Karin was staring at the delicate string around her wrist with a bemused expression. ‘I like a lot …’

‘But …?’ asked Adam noticing the quaver in her voice.

‘But this didn’t cost fifteen hundred pounds …’ There was a trace of laughter in her voice.

‘I don’t follow.’ Adam sank on the bed and looked up at her.

Karin cursed herself for the slip, realizing she’d have to confess for looking in his wallet.

‘It’s nothing.’

‘No, tell me,’ pressed Adam.

‘Well, I found a receipt in your wallet and I thought …’

Karin saw it immediately – just a flicker of something in Adam’s expression that sent a cold shiver down her spine. When she had first found the receipt, her reaction had been one of disappointment, anger even. Their relationship seemed to be going well – very well in fact – and Adam had a lot of money. Had she misjudged the situation so terribly. Did he really think so little of her? But now the penny dropped. The necklace wasn’t for her. It was for somebody else.

‘Who is it for?’ she said softly, unconsciously fingering the bracelet.

‘Who is what for?’

‘The necklace, the receipt in your wallet.’

Adam stood up, suddenly angry. ‘What were you doing in my fucking wallet?’ he snapped.