Page 34 of The Psychopath Next Door

‘Yeah. So I don’t think you stand much of a chance with her anyway.’

‘Actually . . .’

‘What?’

I shook my head. The first time I’d met Fiona she’d told me she used to date a singer in a band. A man. So she’d had some interest in men, in the past at least. I decided to keep this information to myself.

‘I’m going to say it again: I wasn’t flirting with her. I just want to play chess with her.’

Emma shook her head. ‘Don’t let Rose stay up too late, okay?’

They both beat me: first Fiona, then Rose. They were close games, and I was rusty, but I was amazed how good Rose was.

‘Have you secretly been playing online for the last few years?’ I asked.

‘She’s a natural,’ Fiona said.

‘I think we need to get you into a club,’ I said to Rose. ‘Maybe enter some tournaments.’ I was starting to get visions of Beth inThe Queen’s Gambit. Fame and fortune in the chess world. Rose dedicating her world championship victory to ‘my dad, for introducing me to the game’.

‘No.’

‘What do you mean,no?’

‘I don’t want to join a club. It’ll be full of sad nerds.’

‘Chess is cool these days, Rose. And I think you’ve got talent. You could—’

‘I’m not interested!’

I sat back, surprised by her outburst. ‘Whoa. Okay. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a pushy parent. If you just want to play for fun, that’s cool.’

I tried not to look too disappointed.

‘Can I go to bed?’ she asked. ‘I’m tired.’

‘Of course.’ I kissed her cheek and hugged her, which made her wrinkle her nose.

‘You smell of that stuff you’ve been drinking.’

She made her way inside, waving goodnight to Fiona, who said, ‘I should go too, but I’ll help you clear up first.’

I protested, but half-heartedly. I didn’t want to be on my own just yet. I was enjoying Fiona’s company, even though I was a little tense, trying to make sure I didn’t say or do anything that could be classed as flirting. And while Rose was around, Fiona didn’t flirt with me either, unless you counted the light teasing as Rose kicked my arse across the chessboard.

We finished clearing up and I checked the time. Just gone ten. Emma was in bed but I still wasn’t tired enough to sleep.

‘Will you join me for a final drink?’

‘I ought to get back.’

‘Go on. Just one.’

She cupped her chin in her hand and leaned across the table, looking right into my eyes. ‘All right, all right. But I hope you’re not trying to get me drunk.’

I swallowed. ‘I ... Of course not.’

She laughed and I went into the kitchen, my face burning. The Pimm’s was all gone so I fetched a chilled bottle of white wine from the fridge. It was dark now but still warm, a soft breeze drifting across the patio where we sat. I could hear grasshoppers on the lawn. The solar-powered fairy lights that Emma had strung up across the decking at the bottom of the garden had flickered on, making the space twinkle like a summer grotto.

‘Where did you learn to play?’ I asked Fiona. Lola, who had been asleep inside, had come out as if to keep an eye on me, and I reached down to scratch her ear as I spoke.

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