Page 254 of Under Her Skin

‘Oh, you are kind. Clem, can I treat you to lunch? I’m so grateful for all your help, really, I can’t believe how quickly the wedding day iscoming.’

They walked down to a small family restaurant where Amelia had parked her car and they ordered a crab salad each. As they ate, Jules studied her with a smile on hisface.

‘So the wedding of the year is almost upon us,hey?’

Amelia rolled her eyes. ‘For a wedding that the bride and groom wanted to be small and private. It’s entirely my own fault. I love Jessie like a daughter and after everything they’ve been through, I just want it to beperfect.’

‘I’m sure they’ll love it, whatever you’ve planned. Tell me more about Jessica.’ Go on, tell me how much better you know her than I do. I dareyou.

Amelia smiled, a doting look on her voice, and she leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘I can’t tell you how right she is for Theo. I was beginning to despair that he’d ever find the right woman for him but as soon as I saw them together. She’s had a very traumatic past, did you know? Her step-brother is a monster, there’s no other word for it.’ Her face hadhardened.

Jules was suddenly aware he was clutching the table in anger. He released his hand and put it over hers. ‘Tell me, Amelia. You know you can always confide inme.’

Amelia smiled and Jules could see something shut down in her. ‘I don’t want to talk about it all of a sudden. When I think of her tiny body in that hospital bed… would you excuse me, Clem? I need to go use thebathroom.’

After lunch, he walked her to her car. ‘Thank you for lunch. Next time, mytreat.’

She smiled at him. ‘You’re on. Look, I have to get to Theo’s but I’ll catch up with yousoon.

‘Look forward to it.’ He weighted the words with meaning, and was gratified by her deepflush.’

She got into the car and tried the ignition. Nothing. He rearranged his face to register confusion. ‘Pop the hood for me,Amelia.’

A minute later. ‘Sorry, I can’t see why it won’t start. Why don’t I give you aride?’

Ten minutes later, he pulled the car into Theo’sdriveway.

‘Thank you, Clem, you’re a lifesaver. If I missed this delivery guy one more time, they’ll give up and Jessie will have to get marriednaked.’

The familiar tug of his groin when he thought of Jessica’s smooth skin, her curves. He tried to smile. ‘Noproblem.’

The security guy gave him the once over but Jules could see that he didn’t recognize him. Good. Amelia led the way into the house and Jules couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face. Last time he had been here, Jess had been helpless under his knife as he stabbed her over and over. In the hallway, the wooden floorboards were still stained with her blood. Amelia must have seen him staring at the largestain.

‘Jess won’t let Theo replace the floorboards. She says it’s a reminder of the night she survived. I don’t get that, but it’s not myhouse.’

From the set of her mouth, he could see that she disapproved. He touched her arm, stroked it gently. ‘Don’t think about it. She’s fine now,right?’

Amelia sighed and went into the kitchen. He followed her and sat at the kitchen table while she made them coffee. He breathed in the scents of the room: wood, fresh air, newly laundered linen and faintly of Jess’ gardenia perfume. He was almost giddy with glee at the thought that later, she’d be here, in this room, completely unaware he’d beenhere.

‘Somethingfunny?’

He shook his head. ‘No, just, you know… it’s a beautifulplace.’

Amelia smiled, handing him a cup of coffee. ‘Isn’t it? Look, Clem, I’d like to invite you to the wedding, as myguest.’

He put his hands up. ‘Oh, no, thank you, that’s kind but I don’t know anyone here, really I’d feel awkward.’ And besides, there will be no wedding – not when the bride-to-be is founddead.

She argued with him for a moment but seeing his mind was set, gave up. He smiled. ‘I’m sorry but how about, to make it up to you, I take you outsometime?’

Amelia’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Are you asking me out, Clem? Because I’m old enough to be yourmother.’

He smiled his best, most perfect charming smile. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. And yes, I am asking you out.’ The idea had come to him just then and he congratulatedhimself.

What could it hurt? Or ratherwhom?

Jess wasin the middle of a humongous yawn when she suddenly noticed Theo, leaning against her office door, grinning that smile that made his eyes crinkle. Hurriedly she covered hermouth.

‘Too late, I saw it.’ He squatted down on the floor where she was sitting surrounded by papers. He looked through a couple. ‘You know when we talked about taking it easy your first few daysback?’