We giggled quietly, pulling the tea towels off. I cast mine aside ruefully. ‘I’d better go. I need to get to work.’
‘Haven’t you forgotten something?’ teased Daniel, with a tilt of his head.
I glanced at the door, the coast was clear. It seemed totally natural to slip into his open arms, my own coming to rest around his waist.
‘When am I going to see you again?’ he asked. ‘After work tonight?’
‘Only if you don’t mind coming to John Lewis with me to buy a new fridge.’
‘Can do.’
Quickly we arranged to meet in front of the store and a moment later, I pulled away. ‘I really have to go,’ I whispered regretfully.
‘I’ll see you later. I’ve got a meeting in the West End later this morning which is going to last nearly all day. I’ll take the car and park up in Portman Square, it’s right behind the store. Quarter to six outside.’
I bit my lip and nodded.
‘Take care, Olivia. I don’t like the thought that Peter’s still out there.’
‘Well, at least he hasn’t got keys.’
‘Yeah, but...’ He shrugged and took a step forward. ‘Just be on your guard,’ he muttered, giving me one last kiss before I slipped down to the front door, grabbing my jacket on the way.
* * *
The shiny new lock, which glinted at me as I pulled the door to, was an unwelcome reminder of another thing I had to sort out. Barney.
God, he was going to be so pissed off that the police were involved.
I flicked open my mobile as I walked down the street, a spring in my step and a fierce glow in my chest. The postmanlooked distinctly amused when I gave him a big grin and gave me a knowing wink.
‘What — this had better be good,’ snapped Barney in my ear, as I finally connected with him.
‘It is. Remember the guy that I spoke to you about. Things have escalated — he’s been in our flat and yesterday left us an unpleasant package in our fridge.’
‘What sort of unpleasant package?’
‘A bag full of rotting offal.’
‘Shit. You’re kidding me.’
‘Yes of course I am. It’s just the sort of thing I’d joke about.’
There was a gratifyingly stunned silence for a few seconds before he breathed a heartfelt, ‘Fuck.’
‘Fuck indeed. Emily found it.’
‘Emily? Fuck? Is she all right?’
I felt ready to scream. Emily was bloody fine, lapping up the sympathy, while muggins here had to sort everything out.
‘Have you told anyone about this?’
‘The police came round yesterday. Sorry, they needed your details to contact Peter.’
To my surprise, he didn’t object. ‘Fair enough. They haven’t called yet, but I’ve got Peter’s address. I dug it out last time you called. Olivia, I’m really sorry. It never occurred to me that this might happen.’ His voice dropped and for one second, I almost believed he was sincere. ‘Mind you, if I did vet everyone, it would make us so much better than all the rest. Great marketing.’
‘As long as no one hears about this,’ I snapped.
