‘Marcus and Adele, and my matchmaking skills. Or to be precise, failed matchmaking skills.’
‘Ah right. Is this going to be a long call?’
‘Am I boring you already?’
‘You could never bore me. I just wanted to ascertain if I should get myself a drink or not.’
‘That depends on your response to what I tell you.’
‘Hold on. Tristan! If you’re in the kitchen, would you be a darling and make me a cup of tea, please?’
‘Of course, sweetheart,’ Tristan yelled back, although I could only just hear him on my end of the call. ‘Say hello to Noelle.’
‘How did he know it was me?’
‘No one else calls me,’ she laughed.
I knew that wasn’t true, and I laughed too. ‘I do keep calling rather a lot recently, don’t I?’
‘I love our chats. Call me as often as you like.’
‘Thanks for being such a wonderful friend.’
‘Thank you for being such a wonderful friend too. Now let’s move on. What’s happened?’
I told her about biscuitgate, as I was going to think of it. All failed plans had to have a name.
‘I see. That was a cunning plan, but I know where you went wrong. His wife lied. His best friend lied. He probably still believes Adele lied in some way. And now you’ve lied too, as far as he’s concerned. I would say he’s had enough of liars, wouldn’t you?’
‘I suppose so. I didn’t think of that.’
‘What I think you should’ve done was to have said that Adele gave them to you, and that although they’re delicious, you’re watching your weight because you’re going on a date with the man of your dreams, and that he … Marcus, I mean, not your dream man, would be doing you a favour if he took the biscuits, because you’re not the sort of person who would throw away such yummy food, or who would ever want to upset someone, or hurt their feelings.’
‘Where were you when I needed you? I should’ve called you first. But he came home unexpectedly and I acted on the spur of the moment.’
‘Which is probably what Cara said two years ago,’ Madi quipped. ‘Sorry. Poor taste.’
‘But probably true. How can I make this better?’
‘Well … he doesn’t know that you know about his past, does he? You could go round right now and bang on the door and demand an explanation. But in a friendly way. Say you don’t understand his reaction or his comments and that if you have upset him in some way, you’re very sorry. Because you’re not thesort of person … etc., etc., and give him a Christmas decoration as well. One of those snowmen ones that are holding out their hearts. Everyone goes all gooey over those.’
‘You’re a genius. But wait. Isn’t that lying? What if he then finds out I did know about his past?’
‘Worry about that when the time comes. You could tell him you found out the same day from Adele.’
‘So still lie, you mean?’
‘It’s a white lie, not a bad lie. And it’s only a lie if someone finds out it’s not the truth.’
‘Should I be worried?’ Tristan asked, laughing in the background.
‘I would never lie to you, darling,’ Madi said, and I could hear lips meeting lips in a kiss. ‘Thanks for the tea.’
‘Thanks for the kiss,’ said Tristan. ‘Catch you later, Noelle.’
‘Bye, Tristan.’
‘I love that man to bits,’ said Madi, swooning loudly.
