He nodded. ‘I’ve already spoken to Marco about staying tonight, but I’d like to come with you, make sure you get to Hadsborough Castle, okay … If that’s all right by you?’
She smiled, her eyes full of warmth and sadness. ‘Yes, that’s all right by me. Thank you.’
‘It’s settled, then.’
She bobbed her head gently. ‘You were there at the start of my journey. It only seems fitting for you to see it through to the end.’
The Sonata Hotel had had a revamp since Ben had last visited. It had always been a quirky little boutique hotel, but the owners had obviously decided to renovate and go all-out on a musical theme, possibly due to its proximity to the Royal Albert Hall. The lobby was full of busts of famous composers, sheet music and draping red velvet.
Marco was at the reception desk when they arrived, and Ben could have kissed him when he told them he had two rooms ready for them with comfy beds and hot showers. He’d been wearing the same clothes for a day and a half now, and he couldn’t wait to get under the hot spray. Thankfully, Kensington High Street was within fifteen minutes’ walk, and he should at least be able to grab underwear, socks and a fresh T-shirt in the morning. Maybe even a backpack to put his gear in. He always felt a bit naked when he travelled without a backpack.
‘So,’ Alice said, clutching her key card and forcing a bright smile onto her lips, ‘this is it. Hopefully, it’ll be a less eventful night than last night, and you’ll actually be able to get a bit of sleep.’
‘Hopefully,’ he said, playing along, although he doubted sleep would bless him much that night.‘I’ll see you in the morning.’
She nodded and walked across the lobby, heading for the compact elevator. Ben thought about the amount of space inside, how close they’d have to stand, and took the stairs.
The first thing he did when he got into his room was hang his coat on the back of the door, strip off his clothes, and head for the shower. When he returned, he folded his T-shirt and jeans, then went to retrieve his wallet from his coat pocket. He always liked to keep it on the bedside table when he was travelling, but when he rummaged in his pockets, he came up empty.
What?
He went back to his jeans, patted down his pockets.
Oh, God. Where had he been the last time he saw it? He mentally rewound through the day. He’d last see his wallet when … When he’d run out of the service station café after Alice. He’d popped it down on the table after paying for their drinks and toasties. Flicking through his memories of that time, he had a vague image of the table being empty when they’d dashed back to grab their coats before getting back on the coach. Someone had obviously lifted his wallet whilst he’d been outside, and he hadn’t even noticed.
He didn’t know who he was angrier with: the bastard who’d taken it, or himself, for making such a rookie mistake. Again.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Two weeks before the wedding.
I HAD A little trouble lining my door key up with the lock when I got back to the flat after my hen night, which I seemed to find funny rather than annoying, but I eventually got inside and instantly kicked off my stilettos. The smooth marble tile of the hallway was blissfully cool against my aching feet. I dropped my handbag and jacket on the floor, dimly aware that I might get an earful for doing so the next morning, and tried to creep as quietly as I could down the hallway.
My eyes were beginning to adjust to the darkened flat when I nudged the bedroom door open. The lights were off in there too, Justin a shadowy lump on his side of the bed.Shhh.… I told myself and squashed the urge to giggle, but when I’d brushed the hilarity away, I realised there was an uncomfortable knot in my stomach that had nothing to do with the number of cocktails I’d drunk.
It would be better if I didn’t wake him.
I sat down on the edge of the mattress and shimmied out of the sequinned dress I was wearing. Too tired to peel my underwear off, I slid underneath the covers with it on.
‘You bothered to come back, then?’
The low voice surprised me so much, I squealed and almost jumped out of bed again, pressing my palm to my pounding chest. ‘Justin! You almost gave me a heart attack! I thought you were asleep.’
‘No such luck, Angel.’
Oh, dear. I knew that tone. I began to sober up pretty quickly.
‘Sorry,’ I said, although I wasn’t exactly sure what I was apologising for. Although I’d been worried about how late it was, we’d agreed I could stay out later, and he hadn’t specified an exact time to be back. Sometimes, he just expected me toknow,but I often guessed things wrong, which only led to an argument.
‘It’s a bit late for apologies.’
I pulled the duvet up under my chin for protection. ‘Had a few cocktails,’ I mumbled. ‘Lost track of time.’
‘Too busy havingfun?’ His words were dripping with disgust.
I went still. I knew I had to be very careful about what I said next. When Justin got sensitive like this, any little slip could set him off. ‘I wassupposedto be having fun with my girlfriends. It was my hen night. But I behaved myself. You don’t have to worry.’
‘Were there men there?’
