Page 89 of The House on Sunset Lake

Connor stepped forward and put a possessive hand on his wife’s shoulder.

‘We’ll talk later. Right now, I think Jimmy was just leaving.’

Jim’s eyes locked with Jennifer’s once more.

‘Am I, Jen?’

He stretched out a hand towards her. This was the moment, the moment when it would all change or come crashing down. Time seemed to stop, Jennifer’s gaze locked on his fingers . . .

‘Jennifer.’

Connor’s voice was deep, authoritative. Jim had the sense that it was the tone he used when she wasn’t doing as she was told, when she was threatening to step out of line.

‘Jen?’

Her eyes flickered to his, then down to the floor, and Jim knew it was over. He had been so sure, so convinced, but no. She had made her choice. And it wasn’t him. Again.

‘Fine,’ he said quietly, turning and heading for the door. ‘I’ve got the message.’

Somewhere in the distance he could hear the band playing an instrumental version of ‘Come Fly With Me’. He yanked his top button open, pulled his tie loose and stepped out int

o the night, feeling the cold through his soaked jacket for the first time. It didn’t matter; the rain was still coming down anyway. He tipped his head back, feeling the drops on his face.

He walked slowly down the steps, moving into a new life, one without her. It was almost as if the universe was conspiring to taunt him. He saw a bus go past advertising the latest kids’ movie, watched a couple stepping into a taxi, laughing. He must move forward. Make these simple images part of his life too. Not with Jennifer or with Sarah, but perhaps there was someone else out there who could one day make him happy.

‘Taxi, sir?’

Jim looked round. A uniformed attendant was standing at the kerb, sheltered under an umbrella.

‘Sure, why not?’

The man whistled, and two yellow cabs materialised from the traffic.

Now the taxis are stopping, thought Jim.

‘Wait!’

Her voice was muffled by the hiss of the rain and the traffic.

‘Jim, wait.’

He turned around and saw her, the bronze of her dress shining at the top of the steps.

They stood motionless for a moment, then Jennifer took a tentative step forward. Shoulders still hunched, he walked towards her.

‘We need to talk,’ she said.

‘Just the weather for it.’

‘I knew who Connor was with on Tuesday. Well, I guessed. Some interior designer who’s been working on the condo project. I just confronted him. He didn’t deny it.’

‘You knew he was having an affair?’

She shook her head. ‘I’d found a few texts, some emails, but I never said anything because I knew that I was in the wrong too.’

‘Why were you in the wrong?’ he asked, his heart beating fast.

‘Because of you, Jim.’