‘OK, Char?’
‘Not really, but I want to talk.’
Maddie leant over to hold one of Charlotte’s hands and Sofia took the other.
‘We’re listening.’
‘Doug has been having an affair for two years… I found out not long before we came away.’
Sofia leapt up out of her seat.
‘No! The bastard. The complete and utter bastard.’
A stare from Maddie made her sit down again.
‘Go on, Char.’
‘He says it’s… over with her for ever. I’m the one he loves, and he doesn’t want our marriage to end. I’ve got these three weeks to decide what I want to do.’
Sofia was on her feet again and pacing the terrace.
‘Leave him of course. How could he betray you like that? I bet it’s some young thing in the office, isn’t it? Keen to get her hands on what she sees as a good bet.’
Charlotte’s tears started to fall again.
‘It’s not, though. That’s the thing. She’s our age, even a couple of years older than us.’
Sofia stopped in her tracks. The bleakness in Charlotte’s eyes was terrifying.
‘You’ve both met her. It’s the office manager, Natalie.’
‘Not that mousy woman we met at your party last summer?’ Sofia came to stand next to Charlotte. ‘You introduced her as your friend.’
Charlotte stared down at the blanket as more tears fell, and the dark blobs stained the fabric.
‘I thought she was my friend…’
‘Oh sweetheart.’ Sofia walked behind the chair and started to massage her friend’s shoulders. ‘What a bitch she must be to be able to look you in the face as if everything was normal.’
‘To be honest, I don’t blame her as much as Doug. At least she’s single. He’s the one who’s married with a family.’
‘I want to kill her. And Doug. I want to kill both of them.’
Maddie indicated towards Sofia’s chair.
‘Can you sit down, Sof? I know you’re angry on Char’s behalf, but I’m not sure how much this talk of murder is helping.’
Charlotte’s voice was weak, but she managed a smile.
‘Thank you for wanting to kill them… I think.’
Sofia sat as she’d been told and tucked the blanket in firmly around her.
‘Sorry. I know I always go off like a rocket about cheating because of what my dad did to my mum, but I really am sad for you.’
‘I know. I’m sad for me too.’
Maddie’s hand was still entwined with her friend’s.
