‘Thank you.’ Tanya smiled but as she pushed her purse back into her bag, Cat noticed something glinting on her wrist and saw the silver and jet band she was wearing.
‘That’s unusual,’ she remarked. ‘Where did you get it?’
‘Oh this?’ Tanya stared at her wrist. ‘My boyfriend gave it to me.’
‘It’s quite unusual.’
‘Yes it is.’ She stroked it affectionately. ‘It’s a sort of commitment gift, you know, to tell me he means what he says … that he wants us to be together.’ She touched the bracelet once more and smiled at Cat. ‘I am so looking forward to living down here with him. I know we’re gonna beveryhappy.’
‘He’s meeting you here this evening?’
Tanya nodded. ‘Yeah, around nine-fifteen. Said he had a few loose ends to tie up first. Whatever that means.’ She shrugged, making her hair dance around her shoulders. ‘Our first evening together. I’m so excited. Being in love is wonderful, don’t you think?’ Another sigh followed. ‘Well,’ she shouldered her bag and raised her glass to Cat, ‘have to go. Thanks again for the wine.’
‘You’re welcome,’ Cat replied, watching Tanya disappear into the dimness of the club.
Something about Tanya unsettled her. There were so many coincidences. She fitted the description of the girl in the BMW. Then there was the story about meeting her boyfriend abroad and losing touch. Luke had been back from the Far East for five months and what had happened out there had been another area he’d never fully discussed. And finally the cuff, which was almost a duplicate of the one he wore, although she hadn’t noticed any inscription. Taking another mouthful of wine she released a deep calming breath. No, it wasn’t possible. It had to be a coincidence.
As she was attempting to banish these worrying thoughts she looked up and saw Luke arrive, surrounded by a group of service technicians, including Kieran. He immediately broke away from them and headed towards her.
Strong arms wrapped themselves around her, bringing back all the familiar things she had missed about him: his warmth, the soapy smell of shaving gel and the woody scent of his cologne. His mouth found hers and instantly all her fears were forgotten as she lost herself in his kiss.
Hearing whoops and whistles in the background she realised they were being watched by the techs who were currently at the end of the bar ordering their drinks. He released her with a comment that made them all laugh and she could see the relief and happiness in his face.
‘I’m glad you’re back, I’ve missed you so much,’ she said as she reached for his hand and squeezed it.
‘Three days seemed like a lifetime, didn’t it? Thank you for being there for me; for never losing faith.’
‘So what exactly happened today?’ she asked, keen to get to the bottom of his mysterious absence. ‘We arrived at Truro only to find someone else had collected you.’
At the mention of this his buoyant mood seemed to evaporate. ‘Um, that’s what I want to talk to you about. Can we go outside for a moment?’
‘Outside? What is it, Luke? Has something happened?’ Cat tried to breathe slowly, attempting to ward off the sudden tightness in her chest. She noticed his smile had gone, replaced by an expression she couldn’t identify. It told her something was wrong; very wrong. She thought of Tanya again, sitting somewhere out in the dimness of the club. Was she watching them? Waiting for it all to be over so she could join him? Calming herself, she decided to listen to Luke’s explanation before jumping to any more conclusions.
Grabbing her bag and jacket she slipped from the bar stool and followed him out of the club. Reaching the main door, Luke reached out and swung it open, standing back to let her walk through.
‘What’s happened to your cuff?’ she remarked, noticing his wrist was bare.
‘At the moment I’m not sure where it is.’ He shrugged uncomfortably as he followed her through the door.
She pulled him to a halt outside. ‘What exactly does that mean?’ she demanded.
‘I … well … actually I couldn’t find it. I turned the cottage upside down looking for it. I was sure I’d left it in my bedroom drawer. I definitely wasn’t wearing it when they arrested me. Look it’s not a big deal, I’ll check again later, okay? I’ve more important things on my mind at the moment,’ he said, reaching for her hand. ‘Let’s find somewhere quiet, there’s something I need to tell you about this morning.’
‘Forget it, Luke.’ She pulled away, avoiding his touch. ‘I don’t need an explanation about this morning. You see, I know exactly what you were doing and where your cuff is,’ she snapped. ‘Someone called Tanya Clarkson is wearing it. Ah, I see from your expression you know her. She was the one who picked you up from Truro, wasn’t she?’
‘Oh shit,’ he cursed under his breath, then looked at her and nodded. ‘Yes … she must have stolen it while I was showering.’
‘Showering? She was upstairs with you? At the cottage?’ Cat could feel her whole life unravelling as she realised everything Tanya had told her was the truth. She didn’t bother to ask what she was doing at the cottage; unpacking and settling in no doubt. This had now become more than simply Luke keeping things from her; it was betrayal of the worst kind.
‘I called in for a shower and a change of clothes.’ She heard the hitch in his voice as he struggled to explain. ‘I had to get rid of the smell of that cell. And before you go accusing me, nothing happened, I swear.’
Cat watched his discomfort, a mixture of emotions playing across his face as he rubbed his jaw nervously.
‘Look,’ he said, reaching for her hand, ‘it’s not what you think.’
‘And what do I think then, Luke?’ Cat asked as she deliberately stepped away from him.
‘That I’m in a relationship with her.’
