“Hiding.”
Opening my purse, I pull out the pack of wet wipes I always carry with me. They’ve been in there such a long time that the packet is curled at the edges, the prints worn off, and they’re no longer wet, but I shove them toward her anyway. “Here.”
She’s skeptical, but phlegmy beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to nose-blowing paraphernalia. “Thanks.”
The doorway she’s sitting in is so small I debate squeezing in next to her, but I do it anyway. Sure enough, it’s tight.
“Who’re you hiding from?” I ask, freeing my elbow.
She pulls out a dry wet wipe and blows hard. “My horrid brother. Men in general, take your pick.”
Doesn’t exactly narrow it down. Though we canstart with the four she’s related to. My money’s on Miles. “Miles?”
To my surprise, she shakes her head. “His evil twin.”
Given her state, I have to admit it takes me a second. “Hendricks?Hendricks?”
More surprisingly, she nods her confirmation. “Hey, d’you want to get out of here? I’ve had enough of polo players for one day.”
If we weren’t rammed in so tight to this tiny doorway, I’d slump. Who knows where Hendricks is, but getting out of here and away from polo players doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.
“Yes. I’d love to.”
After some very unladylike maneuvering, wiggling ourselves from side to side before one of us frees, we find Clementine’s car and leave.
“Where shall we go?”
“The pub?” Clementine suggests. “Everyone’s at the polo anyway, so The One True Love will be quiet, and we can sit by the fire.”
She’s exactly right, and when we walk in, Eddie takes one look at Clementine—whose face is less wet than it was twenty minutes ago, but no less blotchy—and jerks his head toward the back room. We’re seated two minutes before he brings over two glasses of water, a bottle of wine, and glasses.
“You two look like you’re up to no good.”
“Yet you choose to fuel us with alcohol?” I quip.
“I can take it back.” He reaches for the bottle, but I snatch it out of the way before he can.
“No, no, we want it. We love you, Eddie. Thank you, thank you.”
“Hmm.” He peers over his bifocals at us. “I trust when you’re done, you’ll tell me who I need to ban from my pub?”
“Count on it. Thanks, Eddie.”
He heads back behind the bar, though I know he’ll be keeping an eye on us for as long as we’re in here. Picking up the bottle, I pour out two glasses, slide one toward Clementine, and take a too large sip from mine.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Her lips roll and unroll. Her fingertips run up and down the stem of the glass.
“I’m a virgin.”
Sitting back in the booth, I stare at Clementine, who’s still focused on the glass of wine. I must have misheard her, so I lean forward and ask, “Could you repeat that?”
“Never would have guessed, right?” She laughs, without humor. “Shocked?”
“No,” I reply truthfully. “But that’s not why I’msurprisedit’s your answer. I’m just not understanding why that’s what’s got you this upset.” I gesture to her face, usually so stunning, perfectly clear, bouncy skin, bright blue eyes the same as all the Burlingtons. Honestly, it might be the worst I’ve ever seen her look. “Also, I’m not clear what that has to do with Hendricks.”
“How long have you got?”
