Page 61 of Wife After Wife

CHAPTER 22

Ana

Ana rewound the answerphone as she kicked off her shoes, sighing with pleasure as her bare feet met the tiled floor of the hallway. It had been another hot day in London, and people who were strangers to deodorant seemed to have been overrepresented on the tube home to Holland Park.

“Hi, Ana.” The voice was Percy’s. “Can I come over? I’ve got some news. Good news! We need to talk about it, though. Call me back.”

She went through to the kitchen and opened the fridge, enjoying the cold blast of air. Idly wondering when the weather would break, she had a sudden memory of the storm at last year’s launch party. Had it really been a year ago?

She poured herself a glass of Sancerre, then returned to the phone and dialed Percy’s number. “It’s me.”

“Ana! Finally you’re not working late. Can I come over? I’ve got some news.”

“You said. Why so mysterious? Can’t you just tell me over the phone?”

“I’d rather tell you in person. It’s major, and I need to... why don’t I just leave now? Shall I bring wine?”

“I have wine. Bring food, though, I’m starving.”

“What sort?”

“Indian would be good.”

“OK, Indian. What sort?”

“Percy, just get our usual. See you in a bit.”

Ana changed into a T-shirt and chinos, then took her drink into the living room and switched on the TV, flicking through the channels. She switched it off again. She couldn’t settle. Harry’s softly spoken words kept coming back to her:I want to be more than your boss.

She closed her eyes for a moment, and his image swam before her.

Dealing with unwanted advances wasn’t a new experience. She’d batted them off throughout her time in France. But Harry? A married man, her boss, her sister’s lover. How could he even think she’d consider going down that path?

She enjoyed his company, his quick wit; she’d admit to that. Sparring with him, whether verbally or over a tennis net, was strangely compelling. There was no denying his... lord, but he was beautiful. And his charisma, which threw every other man in the room into the shade. But then, the sun was dangerous, especially if you flew too close.

Ana had a horrible feeling that Merry was about to have an Icarus moment.

He wassoarrogant, and he’d been dreadfully rude about Percy. How had he thought belittling her fiancé would make himself more attractive in her eyes? But she also had to admit that Harry brought out the worst in Percy.

Her fiancé arrived, wearing the new Calvin Klein jeans she’d bought for him, teamed with a black T-shirt. He looked cute, and she gave him a big hug. “You have no idea how pleased I am to see you.”

“Same, and I can’t wait to tell you what’s gone down today!”

They laid out the cartons on the table, spooning rice and curry onto their plates, unwrapping naan bread.

“Mm,” said Ana, tucking in. “Too busy to eat today. OK, international man of mystery. What’s the breaking news?”

Percy leaned in. “I told you it’s big.”

“You did. Now tell me what’s big.”

“OK. The big three at the agency, Connor, Matt—”

“I know who the big three are.”

“Right. They said that, apparently, in the next year or so, Ireland’s going to boom.”

“What?”