Page 125 of The Last Kiss Goodbye

The bare-chested butler stopped adjusting his dickie bow and ran to the Nespresso machine.

‘And let’s not forget this,’ laughed Suze. ‘Anna Kennedy. This is Your Life . . .’

‘What on earth . . . ?’ Anna smiled, untying the white ribbon, then gave a peal of delight. ‘A photo book! Look at this,’ she said, leafing through the pages. ‘Where on earth did you get all these pictures?’

‘Your mum and dad came up with loads, and we tracked down some school friends. Cath supplied those debauched university years . . .’

Abby was still aware of Ginny glaring at her. She excused herself under the pretext of getting some fresh air, and had only been on the balcony a few moments when she heard footsteps behind her.

‘Anna seems to be enjoying herself,’ said Ginny.

‘I think we’re all a bit knackered, though. Spa treatments, afternoon tea, river cruises, it’s thirsty work.’

‘It’s all one big laugh,’ said Ginny pointedly.

They were both silent, and Abby looked out at the view. It was dark now, and London was lit up like a celestial map in front of her.

‘Everybody in that room knows Nick, Abby. I think you should have kept your love life out of the hen night fun and games. At least until you’re divorced.’

‘Suze shouldn’t have said anything. She’s off her head on mojitos.’

‘Yes, Suze was wrong, but perhaps you could have been a bit more discreet and not told her about your celebrity screw in the first place.’

‘Celebrity screw? Thanks for that.’

Ginny raised an eyebrow.

‘You know, you’re still married.’

‘No thanks to you,’ muttered Abby.

Ginny paled.

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I think you know,’ she said quietly.

Ginny turned to go back inside, but Abby did not want to let her escape.

‘Why did you lie to Nick?’ she asked as a cool breeze slapped her face.

‘What about?’

‘You said I didn’t want to be married to him if we couldn’t have children.’

‘I never said that.’

‘Nick told me you did.’

‘And now you trust him?’

Abby did not believe for one second that Nick would have lied to her.

‘What did you say, Ginny?’

She looked guilty, caught out.

‘I was only repeating what you said.’