Page 67 of The Do-Over

‘Personally, and maybe it’s because I’m still a lawyer, I find the truth is generally the easiest option. I’m an old friend, which is true. We can leave out the fuck-buddy bit if you like. I haven’t been in contact because it wasn’t allowed under the terms of your gardening leave, but I came down to visit you, we ended up having a bit too much to drink and sleeping it off in your cottage. What is there to read into that?’

‘The way you say it, nothing. I just have no confidence in the way they’ll interpret it.’

‘I’ll turn on the old Alasdair charm. They’ll be eating out of my hand in no time, just you wait and see.’

‘Don’t do that.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because they’ll see a charming, handsome male and instantly decide to marry me off to you.’

‘Handsome?’ He grins.

‘Behave.’

He glances at me. ‘You’re a curious mixture these days, Thearless.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘When we were in London, you used to take work, your career and your life very seriously, but the one thing you never gave a damn about was what other people thought of you. That was oneof the things I found most attractive about you. Now, your career appears to be more of a hobby thing, but you’re desperately anxious socially.’

‘No, I’m not! Wait a minute, are you saying you no longer think I’m attractive?’

‘Does it matter whether I find you attractive or not?’

I’m just about to reply that of course it does when I see the trap he’s laid. If I tell him his opinion matters, I’m playing into his observation that I care too much what other people think. If I say his opinion isn’t important, he can throw my previous question straight back at me to suggest I’m lying. Come on, Thea, you used to be better at verbal sparring than this.

‘When I woke up this morning, I noticed that I wasn’t wearing a top,’ I tell him after thinking for a while.

‘Mmm-hmm.’

‘Or my trousers.’

‘That sounds right. People normally undress when they go to bed.’

‘So I stripped down to my underwear. Was the light on?’

‘Yes. I couldn’t risk you falling over something. What’s your point?’

‘Enjoy the view, did you?’

I smile triumphantly as he turns puce. Never underestimate my ability to come for you from an angle you never even considered. I may be nine months out of the cut and thrust of law, but I’ve still got it.

30

It’s even worse than I feared. After a brief stop so Alasdair could buy emergency toiletries, we arrive home to find Mum, Phil, Saffy, Rebecca and Ben all in the sitting room. Rollo and Louis are focused on a PlayStation game, but everyone else is looking at Alasdair with eyes as wide as saucers.

‘This is my friend Alasdair,’ I tell them, emphasising the word ‘friend’. ‘We used to work at Morton Lansdowne together. It’s a funny story actually, we had a bit too much to drink last night and ended up camping at the mill.’

Nobody says anything; they’re all just staring at him as if I’ve brought home an extra-terrestrial or something.

‘Mum,’ I continue, trying to coax someone into life. ‘Is it all right if Alasdair borrows a towel and has a shower?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Mum replies distractedly, still staring at Alasdair.

‘That’s very kind of you,’ he says smoothly, and I swear Mum is batting her eyelashes at him.

‘Let me show you where everything is,’ I tell him, ushering him out and away from their gaze. Having furnished him with a towel, I head back down to face the inquisition.

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