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ONE

ONE WEEK AGO, FRIDAY 17 JANUARY

‘I can’t believe you’ve persuaded me to come here,’ Kate says to Aleena. They’re in an Uber heading towards Putney high street, and doubt creeps over her, engulfing her in intense heat. The driver is speeding, tearing around corners so fast, it feels like he’ll lose control of the car any second.

‘You have to celebrate your freedom,’ Aleena says. ‘It’s important to mark this occasion. Ellis has moved out – it’s a new beginning.’

‘This isn’t really something to celebrate,’ Kate protests. Even though she and Ellis have been over for months now, him moving out today has hit her harder than she’d expected, and she’s in no mood for drinking, or dancing, or whatever it is Aleena intends for them to do.

‘Of course it is,’ Aleena says, peering round from the front seat. ‘You’re finally free. Better it happened now than later.’

Kate rolls her eyes. ‘Ellis and I are still friends,’ she insists. She’s grateful that there’s no animosity between them, and that they can co-parent Thomas together amicably. Kate still loves him, that will take time to fade, but she will never let him get close to her again.

‘Think I’ll just message him,’ she tells Aleena. ‘Make sure Thomas got to bed okay.’ Kate can picture her son now – trying his best to convince Ellis to give him ten more minutes on his iPad.

‘Thomas is fine ,’ Aleena says. ‘Both our kids are fine. They’re ten, not two. Tonight is about us . For once. We have to forget we’re mums tonight.’ She pauses. ‘Oh, that sounds heartless. What I mean is, not forget , more like just put it to the side for a few hours.’ She flicks back her curly black hair and flashes Kate a dark red smile. It’s strange seeing Aleena dressed up, out of the joggers and T-shirts she wears for the school run, her hair floating around her shoulders instead of scraped back.

In the mirror, the Uber driver grins.

‘I know, you’re right,’ Kate says. Still, she ignores Aleena’s frown and pulls out her phone, quickly sending a message to Ellis.

It’s Friday and the bar is busy; it seems like everyone is out in Putney tonight. Kate’s never been to Tequila Mockingbird; in these colourfully painted walls is a world she doesn’t inhabit, and she feels conspicuous as they walk in. ‘Maybe we could go somewhere else,’ she suggests, stalling by the door. ‘Somewhere quiet? We won’t be able to hear each other speak.’

Aleena grabs her arm. ‘Nope. Don’t even think about it. You’re thirty-seven not ninety! We can talk any time. We are not doing quiet tonight. This place is great. There’s a basement bar downstairs with a dancefloor too.’ She points at Kate’s patent leather Mary Jane shoes. ‘You’ll be fine in those block heels.’

‘I’m not dancing!’

Aleena chuckles. ‘Come on, let’s get you something to help loosen you up.’

Surprisingly, Kate feels a lot better with a drink in her hand. She’s barely touched alcohol since her separation – a subconscious choice she hadn’t been aware she’d made until tonight. The memories of sitting down with Ellis in the evening and sharing a bottle of wine are too raw.

‘Are you really okay about it all?’ Aleena asks, once they’ve found a seat. ‘I’ve known you long enough to sense when you’re…blocking things out.’

Kate shakes her head. ‘Nope. Not at all.’ She takes a swig of her drink, hoping her friend will stop digging.

‘I know it must be hard,’ Aleena continues. ‘My mum’s divorce nearly finished her off.’

Kate nods, and takes a huge gulp of her cocktail. ‘Affairs destroy people. Both people.’ Like other things, she hasn’t talked about this to Aleena, and her voice sounds like it belongs to a stranger. How can this have happened to her?

‘Yeah, I guess. I’ve never thought of it like that,’ Aleena says. ‘We always just think of the person who was cheated on being hurt. But I suppose the one who did the cheating loses out too.’

‘Let’s change the subject,’ Kate says. She doesn’t want Aleena’s pity; she’s not going to crumble because her marriage is over. She’s got Thomas and that’s all she needs in her life. And to keep the past at bay. ‘Everything’s fine.’

‘I salute you for being so forgiving,’ Aleena says. ‘It’s a sign of strength.’

‘Aleena? I thought that was you!’

Kate and Aleena both look up as a tall, dark-haired woman grabs Aleena and gives her a hug.

Aleena jumps up. ‘Oh my god, it’s been years!’ She turns to Kate. ‘This is my old school friend, Heidi.’

‘You have to come and join us?’ Heidi asks. ‘There’s a whole group of us – you’ll love everyone.’

‘Yeah,’ Aleena says. ‘Maybe we will.’

This is the last thing Kate wants, but she doesn’t want to seem antisocial. ‘Why don’t I get some drinks and I’ll meet you down there?’

‘Are you sure?’ Aleena asks.

‘Yep. Go. I’ll be right there.’

They disappear downstairs, and Kate makes her way to the bar, unsteady on her legs, as if she’s detached from her body. At the bar, she finds herself merging into a huddle of men, their booming voices fighting to compete with the music. They look like they’ve just come from the office, but their jackets and ties have been removed, along with their inhibitions it seems.

‘Hey, make room,’ one of the men says, clearing a space for Kate to get to the bar.

‘Thanks,’ she says, forcing her way into the space he’s created.

‘Not a problem.’

He smiles at her, and she takes in his features. He’s around her age, his hair an unusual mixture of dark blonde and brown, short at the sides and longer on top. It looks freshly cut, and his face is clean-shaven.

‘You might have to wait a while,’ he warns, gesturing to the two harried bar staff. ‘I’ve been trying to get their attention for ages. It’s packed in here tonight.’

‘I’m not in a rush,’ Kate says. She imagines Aleena’s already lost in conversation with Heidi.

‘Well, enjoy your Friday night.’ He smiles, and when he turns away to re-join his friends, the jolt of disappointment Kate feels takes her by surprise.

She spends some time downstairs with Aleena and her friends, then when they’re engrossed in conversation she slips upstairs again, planning to leave. But the man from the bar catches her eye and he beckons her over. ‘Going already?’ he asks.

‘I’m debating it. It means abandoning my friend, though, and I’m not sure my conscience will let me.’

‘Come and sit for a bit, then,’ he says. ‘Don’t tell the guys I came with, but I could really do with some quiet conversation. I didn’t really want to come out tonight.’ He glances back at the bar, where his friends don’t seem to have noticed he’s drifted away to talk to Kate. ‘My bed is calling me. Plus, I’ve just started Harlan Coben’s new book. That man is a writing machine, I don’t know how he does it.’ He pauses. ‘You didn’t want to be here either, did you?’ he asks.

Kate doesn’t answer.

‘Sorry.’ He holds up his glass. ‘Nosiness is a side effect of this. And speaking of being nosy’ – he points to Kate’s glass – ‘you’ve barely touched that.’

‘I’m on lemonade now, so who cares?’

He holds up his hand and smiles. ‘Sorry. It’s none of my business how much you do or don’t drink. But…there’s something about you?—’

Kate rolls her eyes. ‘Oh, please. I’m beautiful, right? Breathtaking? You can’t take your eyes off me? Give me a break.’

Briefly, he looks taken aback and his cheeks flushed, but then he smiles. ‘Actually, I was about to say that you look sad.’

For a moment, she’s unsure how to respond. She’s misjudged him, and now he’s thrown her off course. She studies his face, trying to work him out, but comes up with nothing.

‘I’m sorry,’ he continues. ‘Just ignore me.’ He holds up his glass. ‘Can I blame this stuff?’

‘Seems to me you’re blaming the drink for a lot of things.’ Kate surprises herself by smiling. ‘Drowning your sorrows? Maybe you’re the one who’s sad?’

‘Something like that, yeah.’

His words sound so plaintive that she regrets being so intrusive. ‘Sorry. Not my business.’

‘You’re right, though,’ he says. ‘Messy separation. It’s been hard. Trying to sort out all the financial stuff. Childcare arrangements. We have a son. Anyway, you don’t want to hear about that. What’s your story? Are you married?’ He glances at Kate’s hand and she instinctively pulls back, even though her wedding ring sits abandoned in her jewellery box at home; the only evidence of her marriage to Ellis is a pale line around her finger.

Something stops her explaining that she’s going through something similar; the less she gives of herself, the better, even though she’ll never see this man again. ‘Nope. Not married. Anyway, if we’re going to share a table then at least tell me your name so I can stop thinking of you as annoying chatty guy.’

He laughs and offers his hand. ‘Jamie Archer. Nice to meet you.’

Kate shakes his hand, surprised to find his skin so cool in the cloying humidity. ‘Kate Mason.’

‘I like that name,’ he says. ‘No nonsense. Means business. Assertive.’

‘Don’t forget breathtaking and beautiful!’ Kate laughs again.

‘Actually, I was going to say it sounds like an author’s name. Or a detective’s.’

‘I can assure you I’m neither of those things. I’m a vet.’

Jamie smiles. ‘Ah. I don’t think I’ve ever met a vet before. Except when I was a kid and we found an injured bird in our garden. I made my mum rush it straight to the vet, even though she insisted there’d be nothing they could do to save him.’ He frowns. ‘I actually have no idea if it was a him , but in my mind it was.’

Now he’s got Kate’s full attention – anyone who cares about an injured bird is someone she’s happy to give her time to. And for the next hour they become so engrossed in conversation that neither of them notices when their glasses are empty.

‘I have a dull job,’ Jamie tells her. ‘Economist for the Financial Conduct Authority. I’d only just moved to London when my wife and I decided to separate.’

‘Was it amicable?’ Kate asks, thinking of Ellis.

‘No, sadly. She’s having trouble accepting that our marriage is over. I think I’ve been more ready to move on than she has. She just became really difficult to live with. Neither of us cheated or anything; there was just nothing left of us together, other than our son. And it feels lonelier to be in a broken relationship than it does being single.’ He looks away.

‘New beginnings,’ Kate says, burying her burning questions.

He smiles. ‘Yeah, you’re right. New beginnings. Speaking of new beginnings, I think I could do with another.’ He lifts his glass. ‘Can I get you another lemonade?’ he asks, gesturing to her full glass. ‘Not that I want you to overdo it or anything.’

They both laugh. ‘No, thanks – I think I’m ready to head off.’ Kate stands and holds out her hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Jamie Archer.’ As much as she’s enjoyed talking to him, she’s ready to leave now. She can’t bear the thought of making her way through the swarm of bodies on the dancefloor downstairs, so instead Kate messages Aleena to tell her she’s leaving.

Jamie smiles. ‘You too, Kate Mason, veterinary surgeon.’ He winks as she walks away, and she smothers the temptation to call him back and tell him she’s changed her mind about that drink.

Outside, it’s raining, and Kate shivers, pulling her scarf on. She takes out her phone again to order an Uber, trying to ignore her disappointment that Ellis hasn’t replied. Why does she care? She’s let him go.

‘Well, this is a coincidence!’

She spins around and Jamie Archer is walking towards her, zipping his coat. ‘Bloody cold, isn’t it? And I’m sure it wasn’t supposed to rain. Are you waiting for an Uber too?’

Kate nods and turns back to her phone, but she can feel his gaze on her. The app freezes again, and she has to reload it before it works.

‘How long will yours be?’ she asks.

‘No idea – can’t get the app to work. Think I’m going to have to walk.’

‘Not exactly the weather for a nice walk – I hope you don’t live far.’

‘Richmond.’ He laughs. ‘Might be home for breakfast. Well, nice to meet you, Kate.’

Normally she’s on guard, never taking reckless chances with anything, but there’s something about the sight of Jamie walking off in the pelting rain that makes her throw caution aside. ‘Wait!’ she calls. ‘Maybe you can share mine. Supposedly it’s only three minutes away.’

He turns around. ‘Are you sure?’

She’s not sure, but what harm can it do to share an Uber? ‘I’m going to Wimbledon – he could drop you off first then straight on to me. I’ll have to change the booking. What’s your address?’

Thanking her again, he tells her his postcode. ‘I’m really grateful for this. The kindness of strangers, eh?’

‘It’s fine.’

By the time they reach Jamie’s home – a luxury block of flats in a gated community – Kate’s been laughing so much her stomach hurts. The Uber driver glares at them, making no attempt to hide his annoyance that they’re being so loud.

Jamie thanks the driver and opens the door. ‘Wimbledon next for my friend.’

The driver frowns and glances at Kate. ‘No, it was one stop she booked. Only one.’

‘Actually, it was two,’ Jamie insists.

Kate checks her phone. ‘Um, it might not have gone through. It’s just showing your address.’

‘Can’t you just drop my friend home?’ Jamie insists. ‘Wimbledon’s not too far.’

‘No can do. There’s somewhere else I have to be now.’

‘Oh, come on.’

Kate closes her eyes. This driver won’t give in, and through the haze of a few drinks, she hardly cares what happens.

‘Sorry, can’t,’ the driver protests. ‘Booking didn’t come through. Not my fault.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ Kate says, opening her eyes and clambering out of the car. ‘I’ll just get out here and book another one.’

On the pavement, they watch as the car screeches off into the night. Kate clicks on the Uber app. ‘It’s saying the nearest car is forty minutes away!’

‘I’m so sorry.’ Jamie glances at his building. ‘Want to come in for coffee? At least you’ll be dry while you wait.’

‘I’m not going in your house – I don’t even know you.’

‘Actually, it’s a flat. Does that make a difference?’ Jamie laughs, and Kate can’t help but smile. ‘My wife and son kept the family home,’ Jamie explains. ‘It was the right thing to do.’ He points towards his building. ‘Can’t complain – I have a three-bed penthouse apartment all to myself. And Dex is here every weekend. It’s our father–son time together. It makes it all the more special knowing he can’t annoy me during the week.’ He smiles. ‘Just kidding. I love my kid really.’

His words disassemble her carefully constructed barriers. What’s the harm in having a quick coffee with Jamie? All she has to go home to is an empty house, devoid of life because Thomas is with Ellis. She’s never done anything like this, too afraid of the consequences, of what has already happened to her. ‘Show me some ID,’ she says.

‘What?’

‘If I’m going inside there with you, I need to know I can trust you.’

‘Fair play.’ Jamie reaches into his pocket and fishes out his wallet. ‘Here you go,’ he says, handing her his driving licence. ‘Just ignore the mugshot.’

It turns out that Jamie looks nice in his photo, his mouth on the verge of a smile. He’s got neatly trimmed facial hair in the picture but it’s clearly him.

‘Is madam satisfied?’ he asks. Anything else you need before we go in?’

‘Nope. Let’s go.’ Kate memorises his address before handing back his licence. She debates sending another message to Aleena, telling her exactly where she is, but doesn’t want to explain herself over a text message.

Inside, Jamie’s flat is even more luxurious than she’d expected. It’s open plan, with bright white walls that look freshly painted, and the furniture is minimal but it still somehow feels homely and welcoming. ‘Now you see why I was happy to give up my house,’ he says, watching Kate take in her surroundings.

They walk into the spacious kitchen area, where on the fridge Kate sees a photo of Jamie and a young boy who must be his son.

‘I don’t have many photos up,’ Jamie explains. ‘My wife has them all and I keep meaning to get some printed from my phone but haven’t got around to it.’

He makes coffee, while Kate stares out of the window at the huge communal garden, lit up with stake lights spaced around the circumference. ‘Your son must love it here in summer,’ she says.

‘I hope so. He doesn’t talk about the separation much so it’s hard to know how he feels about it all. He just throws himself into his sports and we don’t know how he’s feeling unless we push him to talk.’ He sighs. ‘Guess it’s a taste of what’s to come in a few years when he hits those teen years. And he’s just started at a new school so that can’t be easy. Not really sure yet how well he’s settling in.’

‘I have a son, too. Thomas.’

Jamie’s eyes widen. ‘Ah, I didn’t want to be rude and ask if you had kids. How old is he?’

‘Ten. He’s in Year 5.’

‘Same as Dex. Let’s sit on the balcony,’ Jamie says, handing her a coffee.

‘Isn’t it a bit cold?’

‘Not when I’ve got fleece blankets to keep us warm. Come on – it’s so peaceful out there. Trust me, you’ll love it.’

He goes to find the blankets, allowing time for doubts to set in and urge Kate to run for the door. She’s in a stranger’s house late at night, something so far removed from her normal life, and the buzz of alcohol is wearing off. But by staying right where she is, she’s conquering her fears. She will see this through because it will heal her. This thought makes her smile.

‘What’s so amusing?’ Jamie says, coming back with the blankets and handing one to Kate.

‘Nothing. Just all this. Me being here with you. A few hours ago, we didn’t even know each other.’

‘Come on,’ Jamie says, holding out his hand to her. ‘Let me show you the views outside.’

On the balcony, she realises Jamie was right – as soon as they sit on the sun loungers, wrapped in blankets, a sense of serenity sweeps over her. She tells Jamie about Ellis, and how close they’d been until infidelity had ruptured their marriage.

‘That must have been hard,’ Jamie says. ‘I was cheated on by an ex and it destroyed my faith in people.’

Kate nods, choking up. There is so much she could say to Jamie, so much of her pain she could shed but she has Rowan Hess, her therapist, for that.

‘We need music,’ Jamie says, when Kate doesn’t speak. He jumps up and reaches for her hand again. ‘Something chilled.’

In the living room, Jamie asks his smart speaker to play jazz, and even though it’s a genre of music Kate’s never understood, his passion is infectious, and she can’t help smiling. When he asks her to dance with him, though, she hesitates. ‘You’re kidding?’

‘Nope. Deadly serious. Come on, let go of your inhibitions.’

Her cheeks flush when he takes her hand and pulls her from the sofa, and within seconds, dancing with Jamie in the living room of his penthouse apartment feels like the most natural thing she could do.

And when he kisses her, Kate’s body responds, even though her mind questions whether this is sensible. She lets herself get lost in Jamie, and when after a long moment, he gently eases back, about to say something, she pulls him back towards her, searching for his mouth again, tugging hard at his clothes until she feels his skin against hers.

And she forgets all about ordering her Uber.