As Simon was going to be away for the next week at a ‘pen-pushing’ seminar, as he joked, they’d agreed she would stay on at his flat in Highgate.
‘At least until you have a new bed to sleep in,’ Simon had added.
On Sunday evening, he locked himself in the bedroom, telling Joanna he had some paperwork to go through before the seminar. He dialled a number and the line was answered on the second ring.
‘I have it, sir.’
‘Good.’
‘I’m at Brize Norton tomorrow at eight a.m. Can someone collect it from me there?’
‘Of course.’
‘I’ll see them in the usual place. Goodnight, sir.’
‘Yes. Job well done, Warburton. I won’t forget it.’
And neither will Joanna, Simon thought with a sigh. He would have to spin some excuse about the letter being so flimsy that it had disintegrated during the chemical-analysis process. He felt awful betraying her trust.
Joanna was on the sofa watchingAntiques Roadshowwhen Simon emerged from the bedroom.
‘Right. All done and dusted. And let me give you a telephone number, for emergency use only, just in case you get into trouble while I’m away. You seem to be attracting it at the moment.’ He handed her a card.
‘Ian Simpson,’ she read.
‘A pal of mine from work. Good chap. I’ve given you his work and mobile numbers just in case.’
‘Thanks. Can you put it down by the phone so I don’t lose it?’
Simon did so and sat down on the sofa next to her. Joanna put her arms round his neck and hugged him.
‘Thanks, Simon, for everything.’
‘Don’t say thanks. You’re my best mate. I’ll always be there for you.’
She nuzzled his nose with her own, enjoying the familiarity of him, then out of the blue, felt a sudden sharp stirring low inside her. Her lips moved towards his and she closed her eyes as they kissed lightly, then deeper as their mouths opened. It was Simon who stopped it. He pulled away and leapt off the sofa.
‘Jesus, Jo! What are we doing! I . . . Sarah . . . !’
Joanna hung her head. ‘Sorry, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault, it’s mine.’
‘No. I was as much to blame.’ He began to pace. ‘We’re best friends! This kind of thing shouldn’t happen,ever.’
‘No, I know. It’ll never happen again, promise.’
‘Good . . . I mean, not that I didn’t enjoy it –’ he blushed – ‘but I’d hate to see our friendship ruined by a quick fling.’
‘So would I.’
‘Right then. I . . . I’ll go and do my packing.’
Joanna nodded and he left the room. She gazed at the television, the screen a blur through her damp eyes. It was probably because she was still in shock, vulnerable, and missing Matthew. She’d known Simon since childhood and even though she’d always acknowledged his good looks, the thought of taking it further had never seriously crossed her mind.
And, she promised herself, it never would.
9
On Saturday morning, Zoe lay in bed daydreaming. She glanced at the clock and saw it was half past ten. It was unheard of for her to be up later than half past eight – she usually left the badge of sloth to Jamie, who often required a forklift to get him out of bed during the holidays – but today was different.
