I pressed my tongue to my bruised lip, recalling how it had felt to finally kiss Francesca. She’d been far from shy with me. I took a sip of my now-lukewarm coffee.
“I don’t think she’s very experienced,” continued Jeremy.
This time I spluttered the coffee back into the cup. “And you are?”
“No,” he said, flustered, “but I’m the chap, and I’m older, so I should take the lead.”
I widened my eyes at him. “Perhaps you should leave those views in the 1950s, where they belong.”
Jeremy waved my suggestion away. “You know what I mean.”
I focussed on the bare bones of a tree in the distance and cleared my throat. “Maybe you should set your sights on someone else?”
He squinted, scanning my face for the rationale.
Shit, I’ve said too much.
“You’re not jealous, are you, Trusty?”
“What? No!”
He grinned. “You know you’ll always be my favourite girl, right?”
“Shut up, you idiot.” I laughed despite myself. “I’m not jealous.” Not in the way he thought I was, anyway. My mind settled back on Francesca sitting alone in her room, and my chest tightened. “I feel awful that she’s on her own. I wish I’d known.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’m not sure you’d have been able to talk her around. She seemed pretty adamant about staying put.”
I swallowed. “I could’ve tried.” My mind conjured the way she’d groaned when I’d left her high and dry, and howI might have tempted her to come back with us, but I quickly shook that thought away. Now that Francesca and I were on intimate terms, I hated the idea of sharing her with Jeremy, especially on the grounds ofhisfamily home, where he’d spare no expense trying to impress her.
9
SCHADENFREUDE
PRESENT DAY
Catherine’s polished brogues crunched into the gravel as she stepped out of her Boxster. Her eyes trailed up the limestone facade of the exclusive Cotswolds hotel. The wisteria creeping around the doors and windows was starting to bloom, emitting a heady floral scent in the early afternoon air.
Catherine took a deep breath as a sudden swell of anxiety gnawed at her resolve.Why on earth did I suggest this to Jeremy?
She smoothed her hands over her white blouse and tugged at the hem of her blazer. She had nipped home after work to get changed, but any effort she’d made was entirely for herself. She enjoyed cutting a smart figure and making a good impression. None of this was for Francesca’s benefit. Especially not the liberal spritz of Penhaligon’s Halfeti Leather, which Catherine reserved for special occasions. Although seeing Francesca unravelled did feel like a special occasion.
The spiteful part of Catherine’s brain twisted her mouth into a half-smirk, which she eyed in the reflection of the hotel’s sliding doors before they swished open.No, this isn’t about schadenfreude.Catherine was here to check in on Francesca’s wellbeing. This was a favour to her business partner…her oldest friend.And Catherine was a professional, if nothing else. She wasn’t here to gloat at Francesca’s misfortune; she was here to…Oh, to hell with it, I might gloat a bit. Penny will be proud.
For a moment, Catherine thought about texting her flamboyant friend with this latest development, but she’d already caught the eye of the bubbly blonde receptionist, who was smiling and beckoning her towards the desk.
“Hi, I’m here to see Francesca Dalton,” Catherine said in the sort of whisper reserved for libraries and funeral homes.
“Sure, let me see.” The receptionist tapped away at her keyboard and frowned. “Ah, Mrs Dalton has asked not to be disturbed.”
Catherine’s fixed smile didn’t falter. “Well, I’m her doctor, so…”
“Right, okay. I can pop a call through to her room, if that would be…”
Unblinking, Catherine nodded and looked on as the young woman cradled the phone receiver on her shoulder and dialled.
“Afternoon, Mrs Dalton. I’m ever so sorry to disturb you…
Yes, I realise that, but…
