Page 81 of Guilty Pleasures

‘Old family friend,’ said Rob. ‘I’m really here as a proxy for my dad who’s doing some deal in China. My dad and Laura’s dad, Henry, met travelling round Europe when they’d both finished university. I think they ended up in Greece, skippering sailboats for rich tourists, or some such. Henry met Laura’s mum out there, I think she was working in a bar. Anyway, they’ve all stayed friends ever since, so us kids occasionally got thrown together on holidays and visits.’

Rob pulled up in front of the castle.

‘Wow! This is wonderful,’ smiled Emma, climbing out of the car and standing on tiptoes to look at the party on the lawns. The air was scented with the smells of roasting food and the heavy smoke of the bonfire. Guests wandered around in fancy dress, weaving between the neon-lit sideshows – a rifle range, a coconut shy and a bucking bronco – while waiters dressed as cowboys handed out cones of nachos, smothered in sour cream and peppers. Three more pseudo ranch-hands were manning a huge hog roast and pouring cider into tankards from large wooden vats while somewhere in the distance, a country and western band was playing. She turned towards Rob, grinning.

‘It’s such a holiday atmosphere, isn’t it?’

Rob laughed.

‘Ah, so she knows how to have fun!’ he teased. ‘She has holidays!’

‘Of course I have holidays.’

‘Going to the library doesn’t count.’

She slapped him on the arm.

‘I do have holidays. In fact I’m thinking of going to Costa Rica in August actually. Apparently August is fashion’s holiday month, but the shop launches in the second week of September so I can’t be gone for too long.’

‘Costa Rica. Nice,’ said Rob, as they moved across the lawn towards the party.

‘I have a friend who lives out there running a cave-diving operation.’

‘A friend?’ he said, eyebrows raised.

‘Yes, a friend,’ said Emma. ‘Honestly, all you ever think about is sex.’

Rob chuckled to himself as he took a glug of cider from the stall.

‘So there’s no significant other?’

‘No,’ said Emma quietly. ‘I had my fingers burnt at the start of the year, so I’m giving relationships a wide berth for a while.’

‘And you go cave diving instead.’

She gave him a puzzled expression.

‘How does that compare with having a boyfriend?’ she asked.

‘Because everyone has a reckless streak, even you. Most people use sex and relationships for excitement and – strangely – t

o make themselves vulnerable. Extreme sports is much the same thing. It’s the only outlet for danger in your perfect, ordered life.’

‘Charming,’ she sniffed.

‘Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,’ said Rob, with a smirk. ‘And there were compliments in there somewhere, you just didn’t want to see them. Now, how do you fancy a quick ride on the bucking bronco, danger girl?’

Cassandra’s grey eyes turned a deep shade of green as she saw them together. What was Emma doing with Rob Holland? she thought enviously. And at a wedding, too. Of course, she knew that Rob was Emma’s new tenant, but coming to a wedding together was a message. How on earth had she managed it? But then, while Emma was hopelessly overdressed in a YSL lilac silk sheath dress – Cassandra could recognize it even from a distance – she grudgingly had to admit that Emma looked good. So where was the timid, pasty girl she had met in Paris? Her hair had been cut and coloured too. She was laughing happily as she watched Rob on the bucking bronco, clapping her hands. Cassandra bristled. Who did Emma think she was?

‘Well, well, what a surprise. A fully-fledged member of the fashion set,’ said Cassandra walking up behind Emma.

‘Not quite,’ said Emma with a weak smile. ‘I’m a guest of Rob Holland. He’s a friend of Laura’s father’s.’

‘Yes, and Rob’s quite a catch. It seems like it’s your year for getting what you want.’

‘We’re just friends,’ corrected Emma.

‘Oh. I see. My mistake,’ smiled Cassandra. Emma flushed. She felt awkward and foolish, just like she always had when her big cousin was around. Inwardly she cursed herself for having been caught off-guard. She simply hadn’t been prepared for bumping into her so soon.