Page 16 of Wife After Wife

Sue grinned. “Too right.”

Katie, pushing Maria in her buggy, had fallen behind and was chatting with Ken and Alex.

“Sorry it’s such a long walk. The Children’s Zoo’s across the other side,” said Sue as they entered the tunnel beneath the Outer Circle.

Harry was about to reply, but his words caught in his throat. It couldn’t be...

Like a rabbit caught in headlights, Harry halted abruptly. Then reason intervened and he stopped panicking. Bennie, coming toward him, would just walk on by. What was he worrying about?

Bennie’s eyes widened in surprise. Harry gave a small shake of his head and carried on past her.

“Oh, hello there!”

What the heck? Harry stopped and half turned, looking back.

Bennie was level with Katie.

“It’s Bennie, isn’t it?” said Katie. “From the Dog and Duck?”

Harry took a few steps toward them, praying Bennie would find a way to move on quickly.

“I used to come in when I was at the gallery in Wardour Street. Fancy bumping into you here! I left to have this little one. And I see you’ve got one about the same age!”

Bennie’s eyes briefly settled on Maria, then she bent down to her own buggy and pulled Henry’s beanie further down over his face and tucked his blanket up around his neck. All that was visible of the little chap was his eyes and nose.

Come on, Bennie—finish it!

“Yes, I remember you,” she said, “and that other bloke—Angus? Well, um, nice to see you again. Sorry, but I have to dash. Late already!”

She went to move off, but little Henry, far too warm, whipped off his hat in one swift movement, throwing it on the ground, then pulled the blanket down, revealing Maria’s hair, Maria’s eyes, and Maria’s smile.

Then the toddler caught sight of Harry, whose eyes were flicking between the two children in horror.

“Dadda!” he cried, holding out his arms with an enormous grin.

Time stood still. Katie paled and Bennie froze, staring at her son.

Harry had no idea what to do next.

Then it was as if someone pressed Play and Bennie whirred back to life. “Hahaha, silly Henry. That’s not Daddy. Sorry, um...”

“Harry. Actually, I think I remember you from the pub too.”

“Do you? Well, sorry, Harry, he’s going through this phase where he calls every bloke about your age Dadda. It’s really embarrassing!” She bent down to Henry. “That’s Harry, not Dadda.”

Harry’s laugh was forced, and he knew Katie knew. But the photographers and the press officer were laughing heartily, and Sue, bless her, said, “My little brother did that for a while. My parents love reminding him about it.”

“Yeah, well, see you around maybe,” said Bennie. “Enjoy the zoo!”

She set off again, little Henry craning his neck around the side of the buggy.

CHAPTER 7

Katie

The child, Henry—Harry’s father’s name—could have been Maria’s identical twin. And Harry had turned white as a sheet. Apple White, in fact. White with a hint of nausea.

Sue, Ken, and Alex may have fallen for the “he calls everyone Dadda” explanation, but Katie knew it was a lie. She’d barely heard the words above the rushing in her ears.