If he had something on his mind, I wished he’d just spit it out. But he didn’t and the silence between us lasted until another wicket fell. It was only as a new batsman strode into the centre of the pitch that Daniel rolled over to face me, propping his head up on one elbow before finally speaking.
‘Shame your chap’s not here today,’ he began tentatively. ‘I mean, with Mike turning up. You could have done with a bit of moral support.’ He avoided looking at me as he traced small circles on the grass with his left hand. ‘I suppose weekends are a bit difficult for him.’ He glanced up with a quick, sympathetic smile.
‘What? For Mike?’ I was confused.
Daniel was absorbed in the grass again. ‘No,’ he muttered. ‘Your... you know, chap.’
I looked at the top of his head mystified. ‘Pardon?’ I wrinkled my nose and waited for him to look up.
It must have been catching. Last night Ben had been wittering on about a fella. My family had a lot to answer for. Chinese whispers had turned a couple of dates with Ned into a full-blown boyfriend.
‘It’s all right, I know all about it,’ said Daniel, his steady blue eyes holding mine.
‘Bloody Barney,’ I said, disconcerted by his gaze. ‘Honestly. Two dates and suddenly my family has me married off.’ I tossed my head in disgust. ‘Two. Neither a huge success. Ned’s not really my type, bit too football mad, but will they listen? Will they hell?’
Daniel’s eyes narrowed in confusion. ‘So it’s finished with the other chap?’
What was it with everyone? They all knew more about my love life than I did.
‘What are you on about?’ I asked, my voice rising slightly.
‘Emily did say you wouldn’t want to talk about it.’ He looked away, his index finger resuming its circles. ‘Must be serious. Never thought you’d fall for a married man.’
My mouth opened but I couldn’t say anything. ‘What?’ That wasn’t right.
‘I’ve known for ages,’ he muttered, still absorbed in the grass.
‘You’re kidding!’
‘Emily told me that night at the party.’ Daniel was still mumbling.
Bloody hell. The scheming cow. Suddenly everything fell into place.
‘She told you, did she?’ I snapped sarcastically, as I felt the blush heating my cheeks, which I think he took as guilt because he looked awkward and began apologising.
‘You can tell me to piss off. It’s nothing to do with me.’ He gave a shrug. ‘You’ve got your reasons. Emily warned me. Said you don’t like talking about it.’
I’ll just bet she did, wait until I got hold of her. Stunned, I stared at Daniel who was unable to hide the disapproval etched clearly in the lines around his mouth and the furrow under his fringe.
I finally found my voice, or rather it found me. I exploded, my words tumbling out in a loud explosion of sheer frustration and fury.
‘Daniel Caldwell,’ I yelled, and lashed out with my hand at his chest pushing him over onto his back and looming over him.
‘Do you,’ I poked him hard in the ribs with my index finger, ‘honestly THINK,’ a much firmer poke, ‘that I, me, would go out with a married man! DO YOU?’ I growled at him in low, menacing tones.
Lying beneath me, at the mercy of my finger digging into his ribs, he stared up, his face a picture of confusion and concern.
I leant back into my heels, my chest heaving. We stared at each other, until my breathing slowed.
Daniel looked horrified at my outburst and sat up.
Now that he was facing me, I felt a dangerous wobble. Please don’t let me cry. If I burst into tears now, it would be a seriously bad mistake. I was bloody furious with him. I needed to stay angry.
He opened his mouth but I wasn’t about to let him to take charge.
‘Daniel,’ I said icily, meeting his gaze. ‘I repeat, do you honestly think that I would go out with a married man? Really? After everything, everything that happened with Mike. After what you went through with your mother? You think I... would do that... to someone else?’
He inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing as if about to say something but I cut him off.
