‘Mark’s publishing that blog, “Scenes of a Sexual Nature”,’ Emma told her.
‘Oh my God, really?’ Sophie chuckled. ‘Have you met her, then? Your precious NiceGirl?’
‘Yes, I have.’
‘What’s she like?’
‘He’s not telling us anything about her,’ Olivia said.
‘She wants to remain anonymous.’
‘I love that blog,’ Sophie said. ‘Do you know it, Claire?’
‘Yes, I read it all the time.’
‘Mark’s a bit obsessed with her, aren’t you, Mark? He flirts his arse off with her online. You want to watch him with that one, Claire.’
‘Claire has nothing to fear from her,’ Mark said, smiling secretively at Claire.
‘And you really won’t tell us anything about her?’
‘Nope.’
‘You’re no fun. I bet she’s a hag. That’s why you won’t tell us.’
‘I’ll tell you this much – she is definitely not a hag.’
Claire felt unnerved. She wasn’t sure what was going on. Sophie certainly wasn’t behaving like a woman who’d just caught her boyfriend cheating on her. And Mark wasn’t acting guilty. Maybe what Sophie had said was just banter – a bit of harmless teasing between friends. But if that was so, why all the strange looks when she’d turned up?
‘Is anyone up for a picnic on the Heath tomorrow?’ Olivia asked later. She had produced cheese and crackers to end the meal, and everyone had fallen on them hungrily, making up for dinner. ‘It’s meant to be another lovely day.’
‘What do you think?’ Mark asked Claire.
‘It’s up to you…’
‘We’ll give you a ring in the morning and let you know,’ Mark said to Olivia.
‘And Andy’s having a barbecue tomorrow night,’ Sophie said.
‘Yes, you’re all invited,’ Andy said.
‘Claire’s going home tomorrow, so we won’t be around for that,’ Mark said.
‘Oh, that’s a shame. What time is your flight?’ Olivia asked Claire, as she started clearing the table.
‘Eight twenty.’
‘Well,youcan still come, Mark,’ Sophie said.
‘I’m taking her to the airport.’
‘Oh, bum!’ Sophie pouted prettily.
‘If you want to go, I can easily make my own way to the airport,’ Claire said quietly, to Mark.
‘No, I want to take you.’
‘Course he does,’ Sophie said gaily, leaping up to help Olivia. ‘Mark is the model boyfriend at all times. I can vouch for that. If you ever need a reference, Mark, I’ll be happy to provide a glowing one.’
