Chapter 17

‘I don't want to use the toilet, Frank.'

‘Okay,' he says simply, sliding his hands into his pockets, features set in confusion.

I know I promised Linda I'd keep to our plan, but fuelled with alcohol and that smug look on his face, I blurt out, ‘What the fuck do you think you're playing at? Ordering a cake from Zelda, hounding my sister, trying to impress her with expensive gifts and luxury breaks. What is wrong with you?' The words rip out of me like gunshots.

‘Whoa.'

‘I want answers, Frank, and don't even think about lying to me. Meeting Zelda was no coincidence. You knew exactly what you were doing.'

‘Ah, mate, come on.' He exhales loudly ‘How could I have known she was your sister?'

‘Are you serious?' I snap.

‘You really have got an overactive imagination.'

I cross my arms, suddenly feeling cold. ‘I want you to stop seeing Zelda.'

His eyebrows shoot up. ‘Zelda's my girlfriend. Get used to it, because I'm not going anywhere.'

‘You really –' I take a breath, and then hold up my hands in surrender, Linda's words belting into my head. She was right. I need to get him onside and then put him off Zelda, which isn't going to be easy now, seeing as I've fucked it up with impulsion. ‘I'm sorry. It's been a long day.' I sigh loudly. ‘I'm handling this all wrong. Look, while you were away, I did a lot of thinking and you were right. What happened between us was a misunderstanding,' I offer, reciting Linda's speech word for word. ‘To be honest, I was flattered that someone like you liked me.' His expression softens, and for a moment I remember the charming, kind, gentle Frank. The Frank I first met, and I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. ‘I read the whole thing wrong and I'm sorry,' I finish, looking away. This is no time to back down. Frank will destroy me if I let him.

‘Good, that's really good, Bella. I appreciate your honesty. I know that can't have been easy.' I bite the inside of my bottom lip, inwardly screaming. I want to punch him.

‘I'd rehire you in a heartbeat, Frank, but right now I really can't afford it. We're not as well off as you think.'

Gazing around the hallway adorned with Mum's paintings, he holds his palms up at the sparkling chandelier above us as if to say what the hell is all this then?

‘Looks can be deceiving. We borrowed every penny we could to buy this place.' The look on his face tells me he doesn't believe me. ‘Frank, you're a really nice guy.' I wring my hands, mouth drying up. ‘God, I hate doing this to my sister.' I hesitate for effect. ‘Look, just forget it. Go back and enjoy the party.'

‘No, go on,' he insists, frowning. ‘What were you going to say?'

‘Well, the thing is.' I cross my fingers behind my back. I'm sorry, Zelda. ‘Zelda isn't the woman you think she is.' His frown intensifies. ‘She gets these fixations on men.' I fib. ‘Then she gets bored and moves on.' This is true, especially since she's been using that online dating app to wean herself off Chris. ‘You might think she's really into you but the truth is.' What is the truth? Think, woman, think! ‘The truth is, she likes nice things and men with a bit of money.' His hand shoots to his chin, eyes flitting around, as if he's lost something. I can't believe I'm saying all these horrible lies about Zelda, but it's for her own good. One day she'll thank me. ‘I might be wrong, but you seem like you want to settle down, have kids.'

‘That's right. I do.'

‘That isn't going to happen with Zelda. I can guarantee it.'

He tuts, irritated. ‘Lots of women have babies in their forties, and there's always IVF or adop...'

‘It's not because of her age,' I interject. ‘She hates kids.' Well, she doesn't hate them but she has opted to be child-free.

I look at the goosebumps that have appeared along Frank's arm. Is he cold or in shock? ‘Well, I wasn't expecting that,' he admits, thrusting a hand through his white hair, which now has a few centimetres of dark roots. ‘Thanks for the heads up. That's really good of you, Bella. Wow.' He covers his mouth and nose with his hands and I breathe in a waft of spicy aftershave. I'm sure it's one of Tom's. He must've splashed some on in the loo. ‘But I think I can handle Zelda.' My face darkens like a cloud before a downpour. There are footsteps on the landing. Linda is on her way back. It hasn't been ten minutes already, has it? He goes to move.

‘No, wait,' I exclaim, hand out. ‘You don't understand.'

Frank leans forward, face close to mine. The steps creak beneath Linda's weight on the stairwell. ‘Oh, I think I do,' he whispers. ‘Nice try. But I won't be put off by your lies.' He takes a few steps towards the bi-fold doors, I barrel after him, then he stops and rounds on me. ‘Do you know what? I've tried hard to put things right between us, but clearly, you don't want to know.' A phone goes off in the depths of the house. Linda's. Her footfall stops. She's picking up.

‘Hiya, Elaini. I was just thinking of you.' Linda cackles, a boozy amplified laughter. It's Theo's sister. ‘I must be a witch, yeah.'

‘I know all about you wanting to meet up with Zelda alone to talk about me.' I frown, was he eavesdropping on our conversation, or did Zelda tell him? ‘I suggest you stop being jealous of your sister and concentrate on your own relationship.'

I laugh when he says this. ‘Jealous? Of what? You?' He shrugs, saying nothing. Arrogant prick. ‘Oh, do me a favour.' I pull a face, as if I've inhaled sour milk from an out-of-date carton. ‘I want Zelda to be happy more than anything. I want her to find someone decent, settle down.'

‘Sure you do. She told me how you get jealous of any man that comes between you.'

‘Ha. I've heard it all now,' I hit back. Zelda would never slag me off to a man she barely knows. ‘And, for your information, there's nothing wrong with my marriage.'

His lips twist into a sinister smile. ‘If you say so.'

‘What's that supposed to mean?' I snort, scathingly.

‘It means that if you and John Cummings Saunders are solid.' How does he know who the founder of Moorfield's Hospital is, has he been researching eye specialists? ‘Why were you fishing elsewhere and having secret dates with your ex?'

My blood runs cold. I hear wisps of laughter from the garden and the faint hum of music. I should get back outside, but I can't leave this hanging in the air like a poisonous mist sucking all the oxygen out of my lungs. In my peripheral, I catch sight of Linda sitting on the third step of the stairwell, phone glued to her ear. I jerk my head. ‘In here,' I say, and he follows me into the kitchen. I've got to put an end to this nightmare before he destroys everything and everyone I love.