Page 153 of Wife After Wife

He went back to his own room at five a.m. It had been a wonderful night, sex for its own sake with a pop idol, no strings attached. As Caitlyn thought about the appeal of that, it struck a chord. Wasn’t that what the manor had been all about?

Can we ever truly escape our childhood? she thought as she finally gave in to sleep.

•••

Caitlyn compartmentalized her relationships. Harry at Home—lovely, safe Harry. Tommy on Tour—rock god, sex god.

They were careful, but during the fourth week, the producer asked to see the pair privately.

“Guys,” he said, shutting the meeting room door behind him. “I’m wondering if you two are about to piss off our major sponsor. Look, a quick bonk, fair enough. DCOL and all that. But is this more than a quick bonk?”

Caitlyn felt herself going red. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t fuck with me, Caitlyn,” said Simeon. “Or him.” He jabbed a finger in Tommy’s direction.

Tommy shrugged and looked unconcerned.

“The newspaper speculation I can handle,” Simeon went on, “but when it starts to have a ring of truth, nowthatI don’t like. You need to stop this now. Before Rose finds out.”

“It’s a fair cop, guv,” said Tommy, grinning. “And yeah, probably not sensible. Can’t blame me, though, right?”

In that moment, Caitlyn realized how stupid she’d been. She’d risked her career, possibly her marriage, for a fling with a has-been teen idol who didn’t give a toss.

“I’m so sorry, Simeon,” she said. “You have my word. It stops here. Now.”

She went to call Harry. She needed her safe haven to tell her everything was going to be all right.

•••

Caitlyn flew back to London that weekend, the first round of auditions complete. Harry picked her up from the airport, and as they chatted en route to Richmond, Caitlyn felt herself unwinding. Harry’s reassuring presence calmed her.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said. “The things you say when you’re judging, they’re really insightful. You’re by far the best of the three.”

“Do you really think so? I do enjoy it. People trying so hard to make it, putting themselves out there. Although... I think you were right. Fame is turning out to be a bit of a pain. I hope you didn’t see... didn’t mind. All that stupid stuff the papers were saying?”

“TheTimesdoesn’t tend to discuss the private lives of celebrity judges. And tabloid chitchat is all bollocks. I’ve been on the receiving end myself, and wouldn’t use it to feed my wood-burning stove.”

Arriving home, Eliza and Eddie threw themselves at her, and she hugged them tightly. This feeling of belonging was sublime.

“I’ve missed you guys so much!” she said. Being a stepmum was the greatest thing, and she couldn’t wait to add to this little family with a baby of her own. Maybe they should start trying.

After a cozy family dinner, they had an early night. As Harry took her in his arms, she realized that for the first time in her life, she was properly in love. She’d never be unfaithful to Harry again.

•••

The next morning, the story broke in theNews of the World. Of course, this wasn’t the Rose household’s Sunday paper of choice, but Harry’s secretary had emailed the piece to Harry, he said as he passed it to Caitlyn across the breakfast table.

“Tell me what you make of it.” He sipped his coffee, watching her carefully.

TOMMY AND CAITLYN—IT’S REALITY ALL RIGHT!There was a photo of the two of them kissing passionately in a corridor. She recognized it as the route up to the stage in Birmingham.

She felt the heat creeping up her neck. “I’m so sorry you had to see that,” she whispered. “It was just a kiss. I’m sorry—”

“And the part where the people in the room next to yours could hear you—let me get the words right here—‘bonking all night long, it kept us awake’?” His tone was now low, controlled. Furious.

Caitlyn looked again at the sheet of paper. Anything to avoid his eyes.

A hotel maid claimed to have seen Tommy sneaking out of her room, had counted up the empty condom packets:Five!That was made up, but as she finally raised her eyes, Harry’s expression told her it wasn’t worth splitting hairs.