‘So, what are you up to today?’ I asked, redirecting the conversation.
‘I was about to ask you the same thing. I’m on my own today.’
Dale’s absence, not only at breakfast but for the rest of the day, was hardly a smoking gun. Then again, he and Julianhadworked together in Ottawa, and they were both in tech – maybe hewascaught up in this questionable business deal.
And poor Trudy – she probably thought she was in for a luxurious holiday with her adoring husband. Now she was spending the day alone.
‘Well, I’m booked into the spa this afternoon. They could probably fit you in,’ I suggested.
‘Ooh, a spa day! What treatments are you having?’
‘Essentially one of everything – well, all their signature treatments. There’ll be an entire PR campaign just on the spa. Julian says it’s world-class.’
‘Do you think theycouldfit me in? Even just for a manicure,’ she said, her eyes dropping to her nails.
‘How about I check with Niki, then let you know?’
Trudy perked up at that, beaming at me. ‘Perfect.’ After a moment, her smile softened. ‘You know, Ally, I didn’t expect to make a friend on this trip but— Oh, sorry, that was presumptuous of me.’ She shook her head at herself dismissively.
‘No, no, not at all. I feel the same way. And it’s very much welcomed, Trudy. I don’t have that many friends,’ I added wryly, careful not to sound woeful.
‘Really?But I would have thought with your— Oops, confession time: I looked you up. Ally, you’refamous. You’re the Divorced Diva!’
‘I am. And you’re right, I do know a lot of people. But most of them are just that – people I know, rather than close friends.’
‘Well, that makes it all the more special that we met then,’ she said, reaching over to pat the back of my hand.
I returned her warm smile, and for a second, I considered sharing my predicament with her. But just as quickly, I dismissed the idea. Despite our rapport, it would be unfair to burden Trudy with my worries and woes. It was too much to lay on someone I’d only just met,andshe knew Julian.
I was about to take a sip of coffee when Trudy said, ‘I’ve been meaning to ask… what’s your connection to Julian then? How do you two know each other?’
Ignoring the ironic timing, I set down the cup and regarded her closely. It was obvious she wasn’t just fishing for a juicy morsel of gossip – she seemed genuinely curious.
She watched me, her eyes wide, as she waited for an answer. I could have lied to her again, but what if Julian let it slip that we’d been married? He’d pronounced it proudly when he introduced me to Tommy. He might not think anything of it. There was also the possibility that Trudy would stumble upon it herself. She’d looked me up – she might dig deeper. She would only have to go back to my social media posts from a few years ago and she’d have a front-row seat atTheJulian and Ally Show.
Besides, we’d only just talked about becoming friends – I didn’twantto lie to her.
‘Well, Trudy, I was also married to Julian.’
Trudy stared at me for a beat, then threw her head back and burst out laughing. ‘Oh, Ally, you’re too much!’ She fanned her face, gasping for air as her laughter intensified.
Well, I’d tried. If she raised it again, I’d set her straight but right then, I had more to worry about than convincing Trudy I was telling the truth.
* * *
After breakfast, I found Niki in her office and asked about Trudy joining me at the spa. She assured me it was no trouble and that she’d get in touch with Trudy herself. That sorted, I went in search of Julian, thinking he might be in his office by now.
I knocked on his door and it swung open. Elsa was standing behind the desk, rifling through a stack of papers.
Her head jerked up, her eyes flaring with annoyance. ‘Is there something I can help you with?’ Her tone made it sound as ifIwas the one intruding – as if it were perfectly normal for her to be going through Julian’s desk.
‘I’m looking for Julian,’ I said, keeping my voice even.
She stared at me like I was an idiot. He clearly wasn’t there – but why wasshe? And what was she doing?
‘He’s up at his villa,’ she said eventually.
‘What’s that?’ I nodded towards the paper in her hand. I had no real authority to challenge her – unless having been married to her boss and her boyfriend counted, which it probably didn’t – but she was obviously up to no good. I had to say something.
