‘I can’t believe I just told you that story. My greatest humiliation.’
‘Honestly?’ A faint smile. ‘I liked hearing it.’
Of course he would. She’d let Shay down when it mattered most, hadn’t she? Having her heart broken by a charming unfaithful Frenchman was karma in its purest form.
‘So what happened after that?’
‘I concentrated on my career. Again. Until Aaron came along and—’
‘Swept you off your feet?’
Had there been sweeping involved?
‘Until Aaron came along and made me realise there were good men in the world who weren’t selfish and immature and only interested in sleeping with other women behind their girlfriend’s back.’
‘Do you ever really know that for sure?’ said Shay.
‘I trust him. Completely. After Pierre, I didn’t think I would ever trust again, but Aaron changed my mind. He won me over and ticked every box. He’s the kind of man anyone would want to marry. Not a bad bone in his body . . .’ OK, stop now, before it sounds as if you’re trying to convince yourself.
There was such a thing as showering your fiancé with too much praise.
Shay searched her face for a second. ‘Well, good for you,’ he said, as if he meant it. ‘I’m happy you’ve found—’
‘Oh my God, it is you! Shay Mason, I can’t believe it. Hello!’
Chapter 17
Bossy Bella Carpenter had been in Shay’s year at school and her voice had always been loud. Now, as she approached their table like a ship in full sail, all heads turned and Shay was forced to rise to his feet in order to be clutched in her embrace.
‘How amazing, back at last – gosh, we have some serious catching-up to do! And look at you two, having dinner together. Where’s that handsome man of yours, Didi? Shay, it’s so good to see you again, and looking so well.’
Alerted by the racket, Sylvia poked her head around the entrance to the restaurant and caught Didi’s eye. Didi pushed back her chair. ‘Sorry, looks like I’m needed out in reception.’ Resting a hand on Bella’s pillowy upper arm, she added cheerfully, ‘I was just telling Shay all about Aaron, so thank you for calling him handsome!’
Just as well they’d finished their meal; as Didi left the restaurant, Bella Carpenter was already sliding into her empty seat. Deciding to give them ten minutes together, she chatted for a while with Sylvia and they agreed that Bella was both the noisiest and the nosiest inhabitant of Elliscombe. Through the doorway, they could hear and see her being her extravagant, cackling self.
‘She’s finishing your glass of wine.’ Sylvia was aghast.
‘She’s welcome to it. At least I’m not having to listen to her bellowing on about her precious holiday apartment in Cala d’Or.’ It occurred to Didi that if she was going to spend the rest of the evening in Layla’s flat without Layla there to keep her company, she could do with something to read. ‘OK, I’m going to leave them to it. I’ll just pick up a book, then head over the road. Don’t worry, I’ll text Shay and let him know.’
‘Ooh, have you tried that one I lent you last week? About the psychopathic granny baking severed heads inside birthday cakes?’ Sylvia was hooked on thrillers, the more grisly and stomach-churning the better.
The book’s blood-spattered cover design had been enough to put Didi off. ‘Is that a giant spoiler?’
‘Oh yes. Sorry! It’s still brilliant, though.’
‘I don’t think I’ll read it. I don’t know how you can enjoy stuff like that.’
Sylvia winked. ‘Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.’
‘Fine, but I’m never going to eat any cake you’ve baked for me.’
Upstairs, Didi headed over to the private quarters and let herself into her apartment. She found the novel Sylvia had lent her and read the blurb on the back cover: The inhabitants of Upper Sisley are losing their heads. But who is taking them and where are they being hidden? It’s up to Marjory Buttermaker to find out!
No need to bother with that one then.
As she was sorting through her shelves of paperbacks, the half-open door was pushed wider and Shay came in.
‘You escaped,’ said Didi.
‘Just about. One minute you and I were having dinner together, the next you’d thrown me under the bus.’
‘Sorry. I didn’t want Bella to think she was breaking up something . . . you know, significant.’
‘She finished your glass of wine.’
‘I know, I saw that. How did you manage to get away?’
‘Told her I had to take a conference call with a company in New York.’ He paused. ‘I wasn’t expecting to find you here.’
‘Just dropped by to pick up something to read.’ Didi waved the book currently in her hand, then realised it was titled The One That Got Away and hastily shoved it back on the shelf.
‘We could go downstairs and get another drink if you want. Bella’s left, so it’d be safe.’
‘I don’t think so.’ Didi shook her head; even prior to Bella’s arrival she’d been aware of other diners keeping a surreptitious eye on her. Which was fine when you’d absolutely nothing to hide, but less comfortable when the whole reason for sitting together in public was to convince your audience that this was the case.
Especially when – let’s be honest here – it wasn’t.
‘I know.’ Effortlessly reading her mind, Shay said, ‘I felt it too. But there’s no reason why we couldn’t have another drink up here, before you go over to Layla’s.’
Could he really not think of a reason? Did that mean she was the only one battling with her emotions? Teetering on the edge, she heard herself say, ‘OK, just one drink.’ Well, she hadn’t been able to find a book that grabbed her attention. ‘There’s a bottle of Vouvray in the fridge. Shall I open it?’
‘I’ll do a deal with you,’ said Shay. ‘Let me sort out the wine. You find that photo of you being proposed to by the first of the three fiancés.’
He disappeared into her tiny kitchen and Didi peered at the desktop. By the time he returned with two glasses, she’d found the incriminating photograph.
‘I see what you mean about the outfit.’ For a moment, as he leaned in closer for a better look, Shay’s forearm brushed against hers, and she didn’t dare glance down because she could feel the little hairs on her own arm standing to attention.
‘I really did look like a knitted frankfurter.’
‘The expression on your face,’ said Shay. ‘God, I’d love to have been there.’
And for a moment Didi couldn’t speak, because if he had been there, if they’d stayed together and Shay had never left Elliscombe, she would never have got involved with Craig in the first place.
She gave herself a mental shake. ‘OK, now let’s show you Pierre.’ She began scrolling forward at the speed of light, whizzing through the next couple of man-free years. ‘Here he is.’
Shay slanted an eyebrow. ‘Looks like a smooth bastard.’
He did too. Hindsight was a wonderful thing. Skimming forward again, Didi found the section containing recent photos featuring herself and Aaron. Out of a sense of pride, even though Shay had already met him in person, she wanted to find the ones that made Aaron look his best.