Page 84 of The Girlfriend

“Meant to be a nice weekend. You catching up with anyone? Seeing Daniel?”

It was about as subtle as a brick, but she kept her fixed smile in place.

“Not got any plans to,” he said slowly.

She braced herself and any pretense left her. The question hadbeen burning away for days and she had to know. “Has he been in touch? You know, since he moved out?”

Howard took a sip of his drink. “Yes.”

It cut her down, even though it was the answer she’d secretly expected.

“Is he okay?”

“I take it you’ve not spoken to him.”

She didn’t feel the need to reply.

He was awkward. “He’s fine. Busy at work. Doesn’t have a lot of spare time. You know how it is, these trainee doctors.”

Knowing he’d lied to spare her pain made it all the worse. If Daniel had time to speak to his dad, then he had time to speak to her.

“Is Cherry still living there?” Her voice sounded tight, strangled.

He looked at her. “You want me to answer that?”

Laura took a deep breath and glanced around the room without really looking at it.

“Leave it, Laura.”

Hurt, she looked at him. She didn’t want to get into another argument. “Right, well, I’d better be off.”

“Going somewhere nice?”

“Just to Isabella’s.”

“Well, enjoy.”

She was about to say, why didn’t he come too, seeing as he was back earlier than expected, but he’d already turned away, was fixing himself another drink. She nodded at his back and went into the hall, put her shoes on and left.

* * *

She was the last to arrive. Isabella had hired caterers, whose staff was also acting as a sort of butler, and a young woman with sleek dark hair, who reminded her of Cherry, took her coat. She was led into the front room, abuzz with chatter and good humor, and she recognized most of the people there: Diane and her husband, Phillip, who’d come to the BBQ last year, as had Sally and Edward. A couple of others she’d seen at Christmas, but no onesince, as socializing had taken such a knock over the last few months. No one noticed her. She stood just inside the doorway, on the periphery, unable to join the flow of the party.

Laura felt as if she didn’t belong, as if, should she go over and try to join the conversation, they’d turn with cool glances. She’d lied that her son was dead. Laura was under no illusion what these people would think if they knew. They’d reel in shock and a collective muted horror. Even if they knew the truth about Cherry, it wouldn’t be enough to justify what she’d done. She’d said the unsayable and allowed it to permeate deep into other people’s lives. They’d put themselves above such sordidness. They’d judge, gossip, some maybe even getting a kick out of the eyebrow raising, the subtle amusement at her expense.

She was starting to regret coming, and wondered about just backing out and going home, when Isabella spotted her. She waved delightedly and headed over.

“Darling, you’re almost late, I hope it’s not because you’ve been working yourself too hard.” She didn’t wait for an answer, but kissed her on the cheek and signaled for the waitress to bring over some champagne, holding her own glass out at the same time for a refill. “Come and meet my new friend, Andrew. You look great, by the way. What a beautiful dress. Silver gray does wonders for your eyes.”

Laura was pulled in the direction of Isabella’s husband, Richard, who was talking to an energetic, wiry man with gray hair and a tanned, weathered face.

“Andrew, allow me to introduce you to my great friend Laura.”

“Hello, Laura.” He held out his hand warmly and she took it as Isabella looked on.

“Laura is a television producer, and Andrew runs an exporting business. Oh, we’re ready,” she said as a gong went off in the dining room, and Laura found she’d been seated next to Andrew.

As she looked around the table, she realized they were the only two people in the room who had arrived alone. A flash of suspicion crossed her mind and then it became clear during the first course.