‘A few times?’ He regards me with disbelief. ‘You only told me about the fishing trip!’
‘I know. I’m sorry.’
‘And you say nothing’s happened?’ He lets out a sharp laugh.
‘No! Nothing has! He came to help me buy that camera . . .’
‘Oh, now I get it,’ he says bitterly. ‘So he’s the one who’s been putting stupid ideas into your head.’
‘Why are they stupid? See – this is why we have a problem. I feel like you stamp all over my dreams!’
‘I’m not trying to crush your dreams, I’m just being realistic,’ he says.
‘But why is it so unrealistic to think I might be able to pursue a career in photography?’
‘It just is!’
‘You haven’t even seen any of my photographs.’
‘You haven’t shown me!’
‘Because you haven’t demonstrated any interest whatsoever. I don’t feel like showing you, just to have you shit all over them.’
‘Nice.’
‘It’s true.’
‘So show me now.’
‘I’m not going to show you now.’
‘Why not? Now’s as good a time as any.’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t have any with me.’ Which is a lie. And he knows it. He gets to his feet and storms into the hall where I dropped my handbag when I came in. I rush after him.
‘Richard!’
But it’s too late. He’s opened my bag and pulled out the pack. I stare at him in dismay as he starts to flick through them without paying them any attention, commenting sarcastically as he goes.
‘Oh, super dooper. I really like your use of colour . . .Fabulouscomposition, darling.’
‘You’re being an arsehole,’ I say angrily.
And then he comes to the picture of Ben.
‘Is this him?’ He’s staring at me accusingly.
I don’t confirm or deny it.
‘This is him? This is the old fucker who’s trying to get into myfiancée’sknickers?’
‘It’s not like that,’ I cry.
‘What is it like then, Lily? What the fuck is it like? You’d better explain and quick because I’ve had just about enough of this.’ Angry tears fill his eyes as he stares me down.
