‘Two whole years! Did you have any idea?’
‘No, not until I walked in on them at work…’
Charlotte’s voice trailed away.
‘What? At it full pelt over a desk?’ Sofia couldn’t stop her mouth.
‘Yes, as you say, Sof, “at itfull pelt over a desk”.’
Maddie shook her head.
‘What a cliché.’
‘Yes, it showed a distinct lack of imagination on Doug’s part. He could at least have gone for the stationery cupboard.’
Charlotte’s attempt at a joke broke Maddie’s heart. She squeezed her friend’s hand hard.
‘Why didn’t you tell us before? We could have helped you through that first shock.’
‘I just wanted some time to process it all myself first. We were coming away together, and I knew at some point I’d want to talk about it, and that you’d both be there for me when I did… Which you are.’
Sofia held on to the arms of the chair to stop herself getting up again.
‘But we’ve been in Greece for nearly two weeks. How did you hold it in all this time?’
Maddie smiled at Sofia’s indignation.
‘The same way you managed to keep quiet about your being made redundant for a whole week?’
Sofia smiled back.
‘Fair enough. You’ve got me there.’
‘There’s a right time and a right place for everything.’
Charlotte had turned to her with trepidation in her eyes.
‘Also, Mads, I didn’t want to go on about my problems with my husband, who is still very much alive, although a cheating bastard, when I know how much you’re struggling. You made a comment last week about me at least still having a husband…’
‘I’m truly sorry about that. It was a stupid thing to say. Please don’t think I’d ever want you to keep stuff back about your marriage just because Tony isn’t here anymore. He’d be horrified.’
‘He would, wouldn’t he. Lovely Tony.’
‘Look, he wasn’t a saint, but I never had to face what you’re facing. Whatever we can do for you, we’re here.’
Sofia took another big swig of her Cointreau.
‘Are you sure it’s over with Doug and this… cow.’
‘He says it is. I suppose I have to believe him.’
‘Why? And could you ever trust him again?’
Doug being revealed as just another cheat had shaken her to the core. Sofia wasn’t sure she could ever trust a man again, even one who hadn’t been caught in flagrante.
Charlotte’s sigh was heavy, weighed down by a hundred thoughts.
‘I honestly don’t know. I asked him to leave me alone while I was on holiday, to give me time to think, but he’s upping the ante, texting and ringing all the time, telling me how much he loves me, how much he’s missing me and how lonely he is at home.’
