‘Am I going to have to face that barrage out there?’
‘Not if you’re prepared to wear a silly hat and do some breaking and entering.’ He grinned at her. ‘I’ll see you in a few minutes.’
Zoe returned her thoughts to her letter, trying to push aside her fear and anger.
Dearest Art,she wrote.Firstly, I just want to say that I understand the dreadful position this whole situation has put you in. I feel—
Zoe’s mobile rang, breaking her flow.
‘Yes? Oh, hello, Michelle.’ She listened while her agent spoke. ‘No, I don’t want to go onGMTV, or give an interview to theMail, theExpress,The Times, or the bloodyToytown Gazette! I’m sorry they’re hassling you . . . What can I say apart from the fact I havenothingto say? No comment . . . All right. I will. Bye.’ Zoe ground her teeth. The mobile rang again. ‘What?!’ she barked.
‘It’s me.’
‘Art!’ She gave a small sob of relief. ‘Oh God, I thought you’d never call!’
‘I’m sorry, darling. All hell’s let loose here, as you can imagine.’
‘It’s not exactly comfortable at this end either.’
‘No. I’m so sorry, Zoe. Look, we need to talk.’
‘Where?’
‘Where indeed. Is Warburton there with you?’
‘Yes, I mean, not at this minute. He’s gone out to move the car. It’s like some kind of siege here. I feel like a caged animal.’ She willed herself not to cry down the line to him.
‘It must be ghastly for you, darling. Really, I completely understand. What about your grandfather’s house in Dorset? Could you slip out and get there by tonight?’
‘Probably. Could you?’
‘I can certainly do my best. I’ll try and be there around eight.’
‘Please, please try.’
‘Of course. And just try to remember I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
‘I have to go. I’ll see you later. Bye, darling.’
‘Bye.’
Zoe felt all her tension and recent resolve to end the relationship flood away. Just hearing his voice had given her courage. She looked at the letter she had begun and tore it up. He stilllovedher . . . Maybe therewasa way . . .
The front door opened and Zoe heard a barrage of voices hurling questions at Simon. The clamour receded as he slammed the door behind him, and she poked her head out into the hall.
‘They’re like a pack of baying wolves. No doubt I’ll now end up on the front page of some rag, being suggested as Jamie’s father . . .’ he said.
Zoe’s face darkened. ‘I hope not.’
‘Sorry, Zoe, that was insensitive of me.’
‘But accurate,’ she said wryly.
‘You look better,’ said Simon as he studied her. ‘Get some things off your chest?’
‘Art rang. He suggested I go down to my grandfather’s house in Dorset tonight. He’s going to try and join me there later. So we absolutely have to get out of this house with no one spotting us. I’m going to go upstairs and take a shower.’
