“Sorry I’m late, babe. I couldn’t find anywhere to park.”
I roll my eyes. I want to say:You can’t find anywhere to park because no sane person drives in London, idiot. Also, I’m not your babe.But I choose to be mature.
“What did you want to talk about?” I push. I’m not here for chitchat and I don’t want to be drawn into any sort of long discussion with the man that stole my 20s.
“How are you?” he says, eyes full of concern. “It must be tough being on your own.”
I scoff.
“I’m great actually,” I reply and realise it’s true.
He gives me a frown that says he doesn’t believe me.
“And you’re living in a flat now? With… flatmates?” He says the word like it’s a disease.
“One flatmate actually and she’s great. What did you want to talk about?” I repeat. I don’t need Colin’s faux concern and I don’t particularly fancy filling him in on my dazzling new life without him.
“Right. I have something I have to tell you, babe. This is going to hurt.” He reaches across the table and grabs my hand. I’m about to yank it back when he says, “Stacey’s pregnant.”
There’s a ringing silence between us and I raise my eyebrows before slowly pulling my hand out of his grip. The words land like a gut punch. I actually grip the table edge to stop myself reeling.
“She’s three months along. We had the scan yesterday. It all looks healthy, thank god. Total fucking nightmare with workof course but once the HR shit’s sorted, it will be fine. She’s been feeling rough as fuck but the midwife said that now she’s entering the second trimester…”
He keeps babbling, a smile plastered on his face as his voice fades into a droning hum in my ears. I just stare. Eventually, he stops, tilting his head like he’s waiting for me to look at him.
“So, it wasn’t just a fling then?” I reply, keeping my voice as even as I can.
“Well, it started that way. But it had been going on a few months when you… Well, before your birthday. I’m sorry, babe.”
He has the wherewithal to look remorseful at that, but I just nod.
“She’s going to move into the house,” he continues. “I’ll buy you out of it when we get the divorce through, ok? I just need you to come and collect anything else you want from it before the weekend.”
“Thisweekend?”
“Yes. Stacey wants to start prepping the nursery and I think she’d be uncomfortable if the house is still full of your stuff.”
I sigh. I can’t even summon the energy to be surprised anymore.
“Ok Colin. I’ll come by to get the rest of it this week.” I stand, looking down at a man who suddenly feels like a stranger. “Congratulations.”
I walk out before I hear him reply.
CHAPTER 29
Emmy
I’mon autopilot as I get on the tube. My brain is whirring with the news and I can’t help but feel a fresh sense of betrayal. The wounds on my heart that were slowly healing have been scrubbed over with sandpaper and I bite my lip to hold in the tears.
Fucking Colin.
I am done with giving that man an ounce of power.
I arrive at Salt’s doorstep before I realise where my feet have taken me and ring the bell. Stuart opens it and gives me a gracious nod.
“Ms Warner,” he says softly, “Welcome back.”
I don’t miss the way his eyes flit over my outfit. I’m still wearing a coat but I’m in a wrap dress and flat shoes – perfect workwear but hardly befitting London’s most exclusive sex club.
