Page 42 of Forever Mr Black

“Don’t forget I’ve known you forever, Sophie,” she warns. “Something’s up. If you’re not pissed off about the wedding …” Her eyes search my face, as if looking for a clue. “It’s not because of the redhead Art was talking to earlier on, was it?”

I stare down at my glass. Even though I don’t reply, my face must say it all because Lucy breaks out into a smile, looking very pleased with herself.

“Aha! See. I knew it.”

“What do you think?” I ask warily.

“About what? Art talking to another woman?” She laughs. “It is allowed, you know.”

I run a hand through my hair and look out across the lawn, hating what I’m about to ask. “Do you think they seemed … flirty?”

She frowns. “Not particularly. Art’s a good-looking man. He’s bound to have women flirt with him.”

“I know that. But it’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

I drain my glass to give me the fuel I need to get me through the next bit. “That woman … she was the one who introduced him to … kinky stuff. She was his partner at Savage.”

Lucy’s eyes widen.

I carry on, “Not only that, but she was also his therapist when he came out of prison. That’s how the whole thing started. She was married. She wanted a relationship with him, but he didn’t.”

“Fucking hell. Why’s she turned up tonight then?”

“Her mum’s a friend of Barbara’s. It seems she decided to tag along. Barbara doesn’t know what happened between them, and Art doesn’t want her to find out.”

Lucy cringes at the thought. “Yeah, well, that would be pretty bloody awkward, wouldn’t it? Shit. And she was his therapist. Isn’t that totally wrong, getting involved with a client?”

“That’s what I said, but he sees it as she helped him through a difficult patch in his life.”

Lucy turns to face me and gives me a serious look. “Please don’t tell me you think he’s messing about with her. He adores you.”

It’s not him I’m worried about.

I knock back the last of my champagne. “I don’t trust her. She’s suddenly reappeared in his life, needing his help. And why would the fact that he’s engaged stop her from trying it on with him? It’s clear she doesn’t like me. If she hasn’t got any interest in him, why would she be giving me nasty looks? And you should have seen her earlier. Batting her eyelashes, acting all coy … flirting …”

“So what if she wants him? He won’t do anything about it. He loves you. Didn’t you hear his little speech earlier? He nearly had me going. What does he say about all of this?”

“He says I’ve nothing to worry about. That they’re just friends. He thinks I’m overreacting.”

Lucy sighs. “I get why you’re pissed off about her showing up tonight, but that aside, she’s his past. He wants you. You’re getting married. It doesn’t matter if she’s still got a thing for him. He’s only got eyes for you.”

I trust Art. I know he’s not a cheat like Theo, but that alone isn’t enough to make me feel any better about Aisling.

“I know; you’re right. I just can’t help it. She brings out the worst in me.”

Lucy gives my arm a reassuring rub. “You need to put it into perspective. It’s done. It’s over with. He’s with you. Now, come on. Steve’s going to be wondering where I am. I left him by the car. I said I’d only be a minute.”

Mum and Martin are talking to Big Steve at the front of the house as Lucy and I join them.

Big Steve grins as he sees Lucy and opens the passenger door of his car. “Here she is! I was worried you’d got lost.”

“He can’t be apart from me for a moment.” Lucy rolls her eyes in mock protest, but I know she’s loving it.

“Martin and I are going to get off too, love,” Mum says. “But we’ve had a fabulous evening.”

“Yes, Barbara’s such a lovely lady.” Martin jangles his car keys in his hand and laughs. “But it’s past our bedtime.”

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