Page 69 of Perfect Wives

‘So if you’ve got nothing to hide, why is there a lock on your study door?’

He looks surprised for a moment, and I can see in his face that he knows I was snooping. ‘For your information, I found Oscar playing on the top floor landing one evening while you were out at one of your meetings. You know what a tornado he is. I was worried about my computer equipment, so I put a lock on the door to make sure he couldn’t go in there.’

In the beat of time that passes between us, I think I might hate my husband. But love him or hate him, I do believe him. I might not know Nate as well as I thought I did, but a hidden camera really isn’t his style, and the explanation of the lock on his door makes sense. Oscar does have a habit of knocking drinks over and breaking things in his battles with imaginary dinosaurs.

‘What’s going on, Georgie?’ Nate asks. ‘Why are you asking about Jonny and cameras and trying to go into my study?’

‘Don’t turn this on me,’ I say, deflecting the question. ‘We’re nowhere near done talking about you.’

‘We’re over. What more is there to say?’ he asks.

‘I think I have a right to know why you were dating other women, Nate? What wasn’t I giving you?’

‘It’s honestly just like I said – I wanted to spend time with women that didn’t drain me of energy. That didn’t make me feel like I was living a fake life inside a magazine shoot. But it turns out all women are crazy.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘One of the dates found out I was married and called me up, screaming down the phone at me. Absolute psycho.’

‘The night of the quiz?’ Not a reality TV show then, like he told the police.

I grit my teeth, fighting the desire to scream. To throw something. To storm out. To collapse to the ground and cry andcry. I’ve lied. I’ve schemed. I’ve almost helped commit murder. All for nothing. And still a part of me is clinging to the belief that everything can be fixed.

PRESENT DAY

Strangers on a Train WhatsApp Group

Saturday, 18 October, 8.14 a.m.

Georgie

We know you knew Jonny! We have a photograph of the two of you together. We’re taking it to the police and telling them everything. This ends now.

Keira

You think they’ll believe one photo over all the evidence against you?

Keira

If you really want this to end, all of you meet me in the coffee shop on Portland Street. 10a.m.! Don’t be late.

Keira

And bring the packages I sent you.

Magnolia Mums WhatsApp Group

Saturday, 18 October, 8.17a.m.

Beth

Are we going to go?

Tasha

What choice do we have?

Georgie