‘She doesn’t hate you,’ Lily protests.
‘She totally does,’ Robert contradicts her with a smile. ‘I think there’s more chance of Fliss and I getting back together than Amy and Tori becoming pals.’
‘To be fair to her, I haven’t exactly shown her my best side,’ I add. ‘I don’t know what it is, but she just seems to bring out the worst in me.’
‘It’s a shame,’ Lily says sadly, ‘because I like both of you and can see both of your good points. However, I think Robert is right that things have gone too far to salvage, and she probably would blame you if she found out about you and Stuart. It doesn’t sit comfortably with me, because it feels deceitful but, onbalance, I agree that it’s best not to say anything to Amy while we’re here. I will tell her when we get back though.’
‘If it’s any help,’ Robert offers, ‘Dan and I could have a word with Stuart.’
‘I’m not sure I want that either,’ I tell him. ‘Stuart will just come for me.’
‘I don’t think Stuart will be coming for anyone by the time I’m finished with him,’ Robert growls. ‘I’ve always known he had a wandering eye, but this is totally against any kind of bro code.’
‘I’ve just had a thought,’ Dan says quietly. ‘We’re all assuming this was a one-off.’
‘It’s definitely a one-off from my perspective,’ I tell him. ‘I’m never going near the creep again.’
‘No, I mean, what if there were others? What if he’s a serial cheat?’
Lily claps a hand over her mouth in horror.
‘One thing is for certain,’ Robert says grimly. ‘He’d better enjoy his couples massage class and whatever he and Amy decide to get up to afterwards, because he’s not going to have a pleasant evening.’
I’m feeling nervous as I make my way down to the bar shortly after five. I’ve replayed Gabriel’s words over and over again in my mind, but I’m no closer to deciphering what he meant by them. I have, however, upped the ante a little by replacing my usual shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops combo with a dress and some strappy sandals. I’ve also applied a little bit of makeup.
‘If he doesn’t fancy you looking like that, he’s either blind or gay,’ Robert had said when I’d come out of the bathroom to showit to him. ‘In fact, I think even gay men would fancy you. You look amazing.’
‘Is it too much?’ I’d asked anxiously.
‘No. I’d say it’s just about perfect. Go forth and reel in your man.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I’ll try to stay out as late as I can. If you, umm, use the bed, perhaps we could agree a little signal so I know to sleep in the other one? I don’t really want to be in the same sheets you’ve been having sex in.’
‘I think you’re way ahead of yourself. I’m not going to sleep with him on the first date, assuming it even is a date.’
‘Not being funny, but you do have form in that department.’
‘Throbbert?’
‘Yes, Libby?’
‘Fuck off.’
He’d laughed uproariously at that, and I couldn’t stay cross with him. If you’d have told me on the first day of this holiday that Robert and I would strike up what feels like a solid friendship, I’d have told you that you were mad. But here we are and, surprising as it seems, I’m almost glad to be sharing a room with him rather than Fliss. I liked her, but he’s been a great supporter and co-conspirator in the constant battle against Amy, and I’m not sure she’d have been an ally in the same way.
Gabriel is in his customary position at the piano as I go up to the bar to order a virgin mojito. I don’t mind them any more, particularly as I know I’ll get a proper drink at Raphael’s a little later. As I take my glass over to sit at my usual table next to the piano, Gabriel stops playing to look at me, and I swear I see his eyes widen as he takes in my outfit.
‘You look very nice this evening,’ he remarks.
‘Thank you. I thought I’d better make an effort for this amazing pianist I know who’s throwing me a personal recital.’
He laughs, and once again I can feel myself reacting to him physically. ‘I’m not sure it’s a personal recital for you. It’s a recital inspired by you though, which is better. So, remember the deal. As promised, I’ve prepared what I think is quite a good mashup of Liszt and the Lady Gaga songs you mentioned, but I need you to record it on your phone and then send it to Priya’s husband. What’s his name, by the way?’
‘Martin.’
‘OK. Ready?’
