‘No. You may think you can have everything you want but you can’t.’
‘I can have who I like in my house and I don’t want you in it, so please leave.’
‘Is it your house though? Or is it your children’s heritage?’
‘You’re drunk, Leo. You’re not making sense.’ He was giving her information about how he got to know about the party though. Martin must have told him for some reason. Possibly spite.
‘Oh, I am making sense! I’m just not quite as clever about life as you are, am I? You saw the main chance and you took it. You decided shacking up with your boring accountant was a better bet than I was. Women don’t reject me, sweetheart, I reject them!’ He started to walk towards her.
Gilly was beginning to feel really frightened now. It was early, no one who was likely to come into the house was due yet and William said he might not be able to arrive until just before the guests were due. Leo was so menacing, angry, resentful. The thought that he might try to rape her crossed her mind. She didn’t let it linger. She was a relatively fit woman and she could either fight him off or escape. She backed away, edging towards the sitting-room door. The French windows were open; if she got into the sitting room she could get outside.
‘You’re a little slut, do you know that?’ he said, still walking towards her.
His hand shot out just before she reached the door and his fingers gripped her shoulder. She shut her eyes, not wanting to see his face approaching hers. Her mouth went dry, and her brain stopped functioning.
Then suddenly he was pulled away; there was a crunching noise and a crash. Her eyes flew open to see Leo sprawling on his back on the floor.
‘Now get out,’ said William. He went to Leo and helped him get up from the floor. ‘Oh God, he’s drunk. He can’t drive.’
‘I’ll ring Helena,’ said Gilly. ‘I’m sure Jago will help if he can. Taxis aren’t keen on taking drunk people.’
‘I’m perfectly fine!’ said Leo, furious, but clearly more in control of himself now.
‘I’ll make him some coffee,’ said Gilly, glad to have an excuse to leave the scene.
Once in the kitchen she found her phone and called Helena. ‘Darling? Is Jago there? Leo came round here and is drunk. We need to get him out of here urgently.’ She paused. ‘William hit him.’
‘Oh my God!’ said Helena, extremely impressed. ‘I’ll call Jago. He’s just in the shower but he can come out.’
A very short time later Jago said, ‘Hello? Gilly? What can I do for you?’
‘You couldn’t come and pick up Leo and take him home? I know William would do it but, between us, I’d rather it was someone young and fit like you. Also, it won’t matter if you’re a bit late to the party.’
‘On my way. No worries.’
Helena came back on the phone. ‘He is so kind,’ said Gilly. ‘I must make him a cake or something.’
‘Don’t worry, Mum,’ said Helena. ‘He loves helping people. Mind you, he also loves cake.’
Gilly made a strong cup of instant coffee and took it out to the hall. Leo was sitting in the hall chair while William stood over him.
‘Here’s some coffee. You’d better drink it, Leo,’ she said.
‘I’ll take him home,’ said William.
‘No need,’ said Gilly quickly. ‘Jago is on his way.’
She suddenly felt weak and shaky. She went back to the kitchen quickly so she could sit down and breathe deeply. She realised now what a narrow escape she’d had. Thank goodness William had been earlier than he’d said he’d be. It took her a little while before she felt herself again.
At last she heard sounds that meant Jago had arrived. A few moments later, William came into the kitchen. Gilly got up and fell into his arms. ‘Oh God, thank you so much for rescuing me! I felt so vulnerable!’ She had a horrid feeling she was going to cry which she really didn’t want to do as she’d made such a good job of her make-up.
‘Darling, of course I’d rescue you! If I didn’t, or couldn’t, there would be no point in my being in your life,’ he said, holding her and murmuring into her hair. ‘I’d go through fire for you!’ He paused. ‘Although I must say, punching someone hurts so much more than I ever thought it could.’
Gilly instantly went into caring mode. ‘Oh, William! Come with me to the downstairs loo. I’ve got some arnica and plasters and things.’
‘I’m not sure I need a plaster.’
‘If you’ve broken a finger I’ll have to stick it to the next finger—’
‘I’m sure I haven’t broken anything,’ said William, following Gilly.
‘Let me just have a look.’
He allowed her to put arnica on it and they were still crammed together in the tiny bathroom when he said, ‘Is there time for me to have a cup of coffee before the guests arrive?’
‘Of course! You arrived early – thank goodness.’
‘I know. I’m so glad. My errand took less time than I allowed for it.’
Gilly found her curiosity piqued. ‘Was it anything exciting?’
‘Hardly,’ said William. ‘I’m a boring accountant.’
She laughed, all her fear dissipated. ‘Boring accountants are absolutely my favourite kind,’ she said and kissed him.
Helena found them in there. ‘Um, is this the party venue? Sorry, didn’t get the email …’
Gilly laughed, beyond embarrassment. ‘No, there’s no room for the band in here.’
Now Helena really did look confused. ‘You’re having a band?’
‘No! Figure of speech,’ said Gilly. ‘Now let’s get this party started. Woo!’
‘Mum?’ said Helena. ‘Now you’re scaring me.’
‘And me,’ said William. ‘A quick cup of coffee and we’ll be ready to greet our guests.’
Gilly glanced at her watch. ‘I think we need to open a bottle of something.’
‘Oh, me too!’ said Helena. ‘I’ll do it.’ She took a bottle of champagne out of the fridge, one of a few Gilly had hidden in there for later. When she’d dealt with the bottle and handed everyone a glass of champagne, she said, ‘I want to hear all about William decking Leo. I so wish I’d seen it!’
‘I’m afraid I had my eyes shut,’ Gilly admitted.
‘Just as well. It was very inelegant – not at all like it is on telly,’ said William. ‘If Leo hadn’t been drunk and off balance he’d never have fallen over.’
Gilly realised William wanted to make light of it so didn’t point out that Leo had been gripping on to her very hard, so in spite of being drunk he wasn’t off balance. It must have been quite a punch.
‘What would you have done if he’d stayed standing, William?’ asked Helena.
‘Punched him again, but I’m very glad I didn’t have to. My hand hurts quite enough.’
Jago walked into the kitchen. ‘Has the party started without me?’
‘Not really,’ said Gilly, ‘but thank you so much for getting rid of Leo for us.’