Daisy forced her best receptionist smile and offered her hand to the woman. ‘Hi, I’m Daisy,’ she said. ‘I work at the Encore.’
‘Nice to meet you, Daisy,’ Bella said. She gave Daisy a knowing smile. ‘I couldn’t help noticing you were looking very cosy with my husband.’
‘Your…’ Her breath seemed to be sucked out of her. She willed the woman to laugh and tell her that she was joking. When she didn’t, Daisy took a deep breath. Gabriel’s arm dropped away from her. No one was laughing. She turned to stare at him.
Gabriel groaned. ‘Daisy, I should have mentioned this before now,’ he said, glaring at Bella. ‘This is Bella, and yes, technically, she’s my wife.’
Daisy couldn’t speak. She could have cried, but wasn’t going to let herself down by making a humiliating situation even worse. Refusing to look at Gabriel, she forced a smile onto her face and said. ‘It’s good to meet you, Bella. Do you want me to move over a bit so you can sit down?’
Bella shook her head. Daisy noticed that she’d suddenly turned rather flushed. ‘Oh dear – I was just being silly. Don’t worry about me, I’m old news. I won’t stay; I’m meeting friends. I just thought I’d pop by and say hello.’
Daisy watched the long, tanned legs step carefully over people as Bella made her way to a larger group of people sitting close to the band.
She got the distinct feeling that the others didn’t knowwhat to do or say, and when they began busily delving into their picnic hamper and handing out food, Daisy turned to Gabe and in a low voice said, ‘You didn’t think to mention that you were married?’
His stricken look only served to show how guilty he felt, but she had no sympathy. The pain in her chest made her wince. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, Gabe? How could you take me out and spend time with me knowing you had a wife waiting for you at home?’
‘It’s not how it seems,’ he said, taking hold of her hand. ‘Please, let me explain?—’
She snatched it away from him. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she whispered between clenched teeth. ‘I don’t date married men, under any circumstances. Do you understand?’
‘Daisy, it’s not like that, honestly.’
She narrowed her eyes at him as white rage pumped through her system so strongly that she thought she might scream. How could she have been so stupid? She shouldn’t be surprised that Gabe wasn’t single, but a wife?
‘We’re not together any more, like she said. Our relationship has been over for months. It never really began, if I’m honest.’
‘Are you divorced?’
He hesitated. ‘No, but we will be.’
‘When?’
‘In two years’ time.’
‘What?’
Her evening was ruined. She couldn’t bear to be near him for another second. She grabbed hold of her jacket and small bag and stood up. Gabriel went to stand. ‘No, you stay here,’ she said quietly, not wishing to alert those nearby to her trauma.
‘But Daisy, how will you get home?’ He stood up ignoring her pleas.
‘I travelled around Asia by myself,’ she said. ‘I think Ican find my way back to the hotel.’
‘I’m taking you,’ Gabe said, bending down and grabbing hold of the hamper. He handed the half-empty bottle of champagne over to Izzy and scooped up the rug.
‘I can give Daisy a lift home,’ Ed said.
‘No, it’s fine,’ Gabe said. ‘Thanks though.’
‘Will you sit down?’ an angry voice hissed at them. ‘Some of us are trying to enjoy our evening.’
Daisy marched off towards the pine trees and the peace of the field beyond. She could hear Gabriel apologising to the man for interrupting the performance followed by his footsteps as he ran to catch up with her.
‘Daisy, please,’ he said, stopping in front of her so that she couldn’t keep walking away. ‘I’m not lying when I say that Bella and I are no longer a couple. I wouldn’t cheat on someone, I promise you that.’
Daisy took a deep breath to try to calm down. ‘I’m probably overreacting but I feel such an idiot.’
‘Why?’ he asked, trying and failing to take hold of her hand. ‘How were you to know?’
