exhaled, the ruler-straight stream of smoke signalling her disapproval. For all her unorthodox lifestyle, she was a woman of high moral standards, with a strong sense of right and wrong.
‘They’re getting a divorce,’ Maddy promised.
‘Children?’
‘Oh, no.’
Marcella raised an eyebrow. ‘And is that true? Or could he be fibbing about that too?’
Outraged at the implied slur on her imaginary boyfriend’s character, Maddy wailed, ‘Why are you so suspicious? Of course he doesn’t have any children.’
‘Have you met his wife?’
‘No!’
‘Does she know you’re seeing her husband?’
Actually, make it too much of an amicable separation and Marcella might want to meet him too.
Hesitating, Maddy said, ‘Well, no.’
‘And you wonder why I’m so suspicious,’ sighed Marcella. ‘Sweetheart, he lied to her. What makes you think he wouldn’t lie to you?’
‘He just wouldn’t. Anyway, don’t lecture me. I don’t want to talk about this any more.’
It’ll end in tears. You have to finish it now,’ Marcella said gently. ‘Sweetheart, you know you must.’
‘Like I keep telling you, with your cigarettes.’ Maddy glanced pointedly at the Silk Cut smouldering in her mother’s hand. ‘And look how much notice you take of me.’
‘Fine.’ Marcella ground the half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray and fixed her with a challenging stare. ‘Let’s both give up what’s no good for us, shall we?’
‘It’s not the same thing!’
‘You just said it was.’
Maddy jutted out her chin like a teenager. This was ridiculous; they were about to have an argument about a boyfriend who didn’t even exist.
Except ... he did. He just wasn’t married.
He was Kerr McKinnon, which was worse.
‘OK, I won’t see him again. But you mustn’t nag me about it.
Marcella looked as if she’d like to say a whole lot more, but was holding it inside her with enormous difficulty. Finally she said, ‘I’m only worried because I love you. Getting involved with someone like that won’t make you happy, sweetheart. You aren’t the marriage-wrecking type.’
‘I didn’t wreck his marriage, it was over months ago. But we aren’t talking about this any more, remember? Now, do you want some help with the clearing up or shall I go and see Nuala?’
‘I’d rather you went and saw lover boy, told him it was over.’
Thinking fast, Maddy said, ‘I can’t. Sundays aren’t .. . good.’ -
‘You mean he spends them with his wife.’ Marcella’s tone was sorrowful, but tinged with triumph. ‘Sweetheart, what does that tell you? He’s never going to leave her!’
‘He will. Just you wait.’
‘Oh please, have some dignity. You deserve so much better than this.’
‘I told you, I’ll stop seeing him,’ Maddy insisted. ‘It’s just that Sundays are difficult. I
* * *
‘We’re shut,’ said Dexter. ‘Can’t you tell the time?’ Actually, he was looking rather attractive this morning in a dishevelled celebrity chef kind of way. Dexter might be the world’s stroppiest character, but he definitely had sexy eyes. If you didn’t mind a few bags and wrinkles.
Or insults.
‘I need a quick word with Nuala.’ Maddy flashed him a bright smile, because Dexter didn’t scare her.
‘God, another one? Hurry up then, don’t take all day about it.’ Begrudgingly, Dexter allowed her inside the pub. Raising his voice he roared, ‘Nuala? Get down here, you lazy lump. Someone here to see you.’
‘It’s OK, I’ll go on up.’ Darting past him, Maddy headed for the staircase.
‘That’s it, and make sure you close the door behind you so I can’t overhear. She’ll be dying to catch you up on all the latest news,’ said Dexter with a smirk.
Maddy’s mouth went dry. ‘What kind of news?’
‘Made a fool of herself last night at the barbecue, didn’t she. Thinks she stands a chance with that brother of yours — ha, as if he’d look twice at a pudding like her.’
Oh Lord, this didn’t sound promising. What had Jake been up to now?
Upstairs, Nuala was practising staying upright on a pair of brand new, ludicrously high-heeled shoes. As she teetered across the living room and collapsed onto the overstuffed yellow sofa, Maddy said,
