common sense. The type of person, Dulcie thought darkly, who held up her hand and said, ‘No thanks, really, one chocolate’s enough for me.’
She even had a real career, dammit, so Patrick’s ridiculous working hours wouldn’t bother her in the least. The chances were she wouldn’t even notice he was never home because she wouldn’t be there either, she’d still be working too.
They could be Executive Couple, thought Dulcie, and themost annoying part of all is they wouldn’t even think they were missing out on any fun, because when you’re that career-minded, work is fun.
Willing it to be Liam every time the door was pushed open hadn’t worked. By nine thirty Dulcie was growing desperate ... and trying even more desperately to hide it.
‘Looks like he’s stood you up,’ said Patrick, not sounding in the least sympathetic. ‘Come on, we’ll give you a lift home.’
How sad could you get? Dulcie suppressed a shudder – God, the humiliation – and gaily emptied her glass.
‘Don’t fuss! He’ll be here any minute now,’ she exclaimed. ‘Anyway, this party we’re going to doesn’t start until midnight ... it’s at the home of one of his rock star friends, did I mention that?
They live in this fantastic mansion outside Calne. Oh for heaven’s sake, Patrick! Stop looking at your watch. What difference does it make if someone’s a tiny bit late? Look, let me get you both another drink—’
‘We’ve got a table booked at the Blue Bowl.’ Patrick’s tone was curt; he wasn’t amused.
‘If you’d like to, you’d be more than welcome to join us,’ Claire said eagerly, her clear grey eyes reflecting genuine concern. She nodded as she spoke, so rhythmically that Dulcie wondered if someone behind her was tugging on her glossy brown plait, practising a spot of bell ringing on the nearest available rope.
Bloody, bloody Liam...
And bloody Claire, come to that, for being so caring, so jolly, jolly nice. Where had Patrick found her, anyway? Graduating with honours from the Jane Asher School of Charm and Utter Loveliness?
This reminded Dulcie that he hadn’t told her yet how things had gone the night his mother had fixed him up.
To divert Patrick’s attention from Liam’s lateness, Dulcie said brightly, ‘I forgot to ask, how was your awful blind date the other week, the one you were dreading so much? Total nightmare or what?’
Patrick looked at Claire. Ha, thought Dulcie, delighted. That’s caught you out! Been two-timing her already .. .
Claire, in turn, looked at Dulcie. There were dimples in her cheeks.
‘I don’t think it went too badly, considering,’ she said with a playful smile.
‘But—’
‘Oh, Dulcie, the awful blind date was me.’
‘Where have you been?’ hissed Dulcie when Liam finally appeared. ‘For God’s sake, you’re two hours late!’
Liam cupped a hand over one ear and shook his head. ‘Damn, I hate it when that happens.’
‘Hate what?’
‘That terrible noise in my ear. That nagging noise.’
‘I’m not nagging,’ Dulcie said crossly, ‘I’m just telling you, that’s all. You should have been here at nine.’
‘Why, what happened?’
The blonde standing with her back to Liam suddenly giggled and swivelled round to look at him.
Liam, happy to have his wit appreciated, grinned back.
‘My husband and his new girlfriend were here, that’s what happened,’ Dulcie wailed. ‘They insisted on waiting here with me until you turned up.’
Liam looked around.
‘So where are they?’
‘They left two minutes ago!’ She almost stamped her foot. ‘Phew, great timing.’
The blonde giggled again. Liam tried without much success to keep a straight face. Dulcie could have kicked the pair of them.
‘It isn’t funny. Dammit, they felt sorry for me.’
‘Am I going to get this earache all night?’ protested Liam.
There was an unfamiliar edge to his voice, as if he were on the verge of losing his patience. Suddenly overcome by a rush of fear – what if Liam turned round, grabbed the giggling blonde and disappeared with her out of the door? – Dulcie forced herself to calm down. Liam wasn’t the type to sit alone and mope. She held a privileged position. And if she didn’t want it there were plenty of other women queueing up to take her place.
‘I’m sorry. It was pretty embarrassing, that’s all. Forget it.’
His good humour instantly restored, Liam slid his arm around Dulcie’s hips and pulled her playfully towards him.
‘You mean I don’t get detention from teacher?’ he murmured in her ear. ‘I don’t have to write out a hundred lines: I must not be a naughty boy and upset Dulcie?’
She quivered helplessly. Oh, that soft, purring Irish drawl! It really should come with a government health warning .. .
‘I’ll let you off, this once,’ she said faintly as Liam began kissing the tips of her fingers. Damn, why couldn’t Patrick and Claire be here to witness this now?
