Page 44 of Wife After Wife

“And... Ana. We haven’t talked properly since—well, since June. But thank you for your help. Your calmness under pressure, and all that.”

“How is Katie?”

“Not great. Searching for reasons why when there aren’t any. It’s hard to reach her when she’s like this. I’m not sure that I can anymore.”

“That’s very sad. She should probably go back to work, take her mind off things.”

“She has Maria.”

“Isn’t she at school?”

“Yes, she’s just started.”

“Then she should definitely get a job. I’m sure it would help. And commiserations on the loss of your baby. It must have been awful for you too.”

“Thanks. Yes, it was. Again.” He sighed. “I wish death would leave me the fuck alone.”

Anna frowned, and their eyes locked for a moment.

“I hear your friend Cassandra’s in rehab,” she said.

“How did you...?”

“Megan told me.”

“Of course.” His tone of voice must have said it all.

“Don’t be too hard on Megan, Harry. She thinks the world of you, and this rift between you and Charles is really upsetting her.”

“He needs to get his relationship back on track without any distractions.”

“Maybe you don’t realize how Megan feels. It’s not a schoolgirl infatuation anymore. I honestly think she loves him.”

An idea formed in Harry’s head. “Perhaps I should come over and talk to her.”

There was a pause.

“Or take her out for dinner, maybe,” said Ana. “Neutral ground.”

“Home turf might be better, if there are going to be tears.”

So Harry was going over to Megan’s flat tomorrow. He hoped Ana would be there—and he sincerely hoped that preening ponce Percy wouldn’t be.

Ana

There’sThe Bodyguard?”

“Not keen, to be honest,” said Percy.

Ana had suggested a movie, to give Harry and Megan some space. “Or we could just go out to eat?”

“I had a big lunch. And I’m a bit knackered. Can’t we stay in?”

The penny dropped. Percy and his team were pitching for the Rose account in two weeks’ time, and Percy somehow thought hanging out in the flat while Harry tackled his sister about her relationship with Charles was going to help with that.

“Don’t mind me,” called Megan from the kitchen. “Ana, it’d actually be good to have you here. Harry respects you.”

Percy lifted his eyebrows at Ana and smiled. “That’s great. I hope Terri knows.”