‘Just how long have I been having this imaginary affair?’ I asked dangerously. ‘Just so I know,’ I added, my lips twisting in an exaggerated sneer just in case he was in any doubt.
His eyes flashed and his mouth curled. ‘Since Ben’s birthday party,’ he snapped, folding his arms.
‘That long. God, I hope the sex was worth it. Have I had a good time?’ I looked down, studying the golden hairs on his forearms, tanned against the white cricket shirt.
‘Stop being bitchy, Olivia. It doesn’t suit you. How was I to know Emily was lying? You’ve not exactly been forthcoming of late, have you?’ There was a sarcastic note to his voice. Rising to his knees as his gaze bored into me and his eyebrow quirked in challenge.
‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’ My fists were clenched, my voice tight. How dare he be angry with me? I hadn’t done anything wrong.
‘We used to be friends. Remember? Now you avoid me like the plague.’ His voice was cold, the words snapped out, like ice breaking.
‘Excuse me? I avoid you? What am I supposed to do? You’re going out with my flatmate. I can hardly hang around being green and hairy.’
‘As you weren’t around much, I assumed you were busy with your married man, which under the circumstances is perfectly reasonable.’
‘You...’ Who did he think he was, trying to justify himself? ‘Reasonable?’
‘Yes. Little clues like the stray brick.’
God, I wanted to punch him. ‘What the fuck has that got to do with anything?’
‘Don’t swear. That doesn’t suit you either.’
‘And don’t change the subject,’ I shouted at him, uncaring that I might be overheard. ‘How the hell does that... prove... I’m having an affair with a married man?’
‘An irate wife,’ he suggested snidely.
‘Crap,’ I said turning my back on him, rising to my feet, ready to walk away.
‘I saw your and Emily’s faces that night.’ Putting his hand on my arm to halt me, he stood up and said, ‘Don’t deny it, you knew who was behind it. Didn’t you?’
He had me there. I turned slowly, his hand slid down, and the fingers gently encircled my wrist.
‘I promise you,’ I said looking up into his face, slowing my words, ‘That was nothing to do with a married man.’
His blue eyes studied me for a moment. ‘So there’s no married man?’
I shook my head. Frowning he asked, ‘So why did Emily say there was?’
I shrugged. ‘You tell me. I have no idea.’
We stood in silence both of us lost in thought. What could she gain from telling him that? Suddenly I knew. ‘When did she tell you?’
He frowned again. It took him a moment to answer. ‘I told you, that night at the party.’
That made sense. Sadness washed over me. ‘What exactly did she say?’ I pressed.
‘God, I can’t remember... something like “Poor Olivia, it’s a shame she has to come to things on her own all the time. He’ll never leave his wife.” ’
I felt light-headed for a second.
‘Then, she said, “Please don’t let on I told you, she doesn’t want anyone to know.”’ I could picture it all too clearly. Emily earnestly clutching his arm and whispering urgently in his ear as I walked out of the room.
‘Wait ’til I get hold of her,’ I said, remembering the feeling of bleakness when I’d come back to find her lips locked with his.
Daniel frowned looking right through me. ‘Yes,’ he said absently, letting go of my wrist. He seemed miles away.
‘Oy, Dan,’ called one of the team coming over with a loping run. ‘As you’re out, can you come and do a spot of scoring?’
