Page 51 of The Plot Twist

‘I spoke to my mum after and she told me a few things. And now I’m wondering why my dad didn’t tell me any of these things himself. And whether I should get involved.’ He paused. ‘To be honest, I’m wondering if I can pretend I don’t know because I’d rather not. Oh and I need to decide exactly how mad I am at my sister about the whole thing.’

‘Oh.’ Of course Allie knew what he was talking about, but she wasn’t supposed to and her brain was desperately trying to think of what she could ask or say that wouldn’t give this away but that also couldn’t be held against her in the future when it came out that she DID know what he was talking about. After what seemed like an exceptionally long time, she decided that ‘oh’ was actually all she could manage.

‘Do you get on with your parents?’ he asked, in an admirable form of deflection.

‘Yes. Well, with my mum. She spends most of her time in Spain now with Nigel,’

‘Nigel?’

‘Her husband. So I don’t get to see that much of her, and that’s probably why we get on so well.’

‘And your dad?’

Allie took a deep breath; she hated having to tell people this. What was worse than people feeling sorry for you, was when people really didn’t know what to say at all and so ended up saying something idiotic and panicking, and thenshewould end up having to make them feel better. ‘He’s dead. Died when I was a teenager. Cancer.’

And then, because Will wasn’tother people, he simply took her hand and said, ‘I’m sorry’ and sounded like he genuinely meant it.

‘Yeah, me too. He was kind of awesome and I still miss him, and I still spend a lot of time and energy wondering what he would think of my life choices.’

Will laughed, a gentle, kind laugh. ‘Not having ever met him, I’m not going to pretend I can make you feel better about that.’

Allie looked sideways at him, appreciative of his kindness. ‘Thanks. You know, people never know what to say when I tell them, so that’s about the best reaction I’ve ever had.’

‘Can I tell you that I’m feeling good about your life choices right now?’

Allie grinned at this honest and funny response.

‘And sorry,’ Will said, squeezing her hand. ‘I shouldn’t be boring you with stuff about my family.’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Allie protested, and then, before she could stop herself, ‘I’m happy to listen if you want to talk?’ Because she was. Even if the end result was bad for her, she found Will completely fascinating. And there was part of her that felt maybe it would be better if she knew exactly what Will knew about Martin’s situation.

Will stopped walking and pulled Allie round to face him. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her towards him. And then he lifted a hand to cup her chin and looked her in the eye. ‘Thank you,’ he said before he kissed her hard, pushing all thoughts of impending doom from her mind.

‘That wasn’t talking.’ She bit her lip and smiled.

‘It wasn’t?’ he asked innocently. ‘Sorry, I can stop if you want me to?’

‘Please,’ she whispered, ‘don’t.’

* * *

‘So you didn’t tell him?’

‘No,’ Allie snapped. ‘I didn’t tell him. We were at the cinema, it was one of those arthouse places. You know, the kind that frown on popcorn and chit-chat during the screening. I didn’t have a chance.’

There was a silence from the other end of the line which only made Allie even more aware that her excuse was pathetic. Of course, she could have told Will, of course sheoughtto have told Will. She’d had plenty of opportunities to do it, like immediately after she had realised who he was and who his father was. Or even when he was busily confessing to her his feelings about his father’s behaviour. Over the dinner they’d eaten after the movie would have been a good opportunity. There was no ban on talking during dinner. To be honest, a text informing him of exactly who she was to his father and how much she knew about his parents’ marriage would have been preferable to what she had actually done. Which was precisely nothing. And which was why she found herself panic-calling Jess, asking for her advice.

Jess eventually broke the silence. ‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me your writing partner was Martin Clark.’

‘That’s it?’ Allie queried. ‘That’s all you’ve got to say on the matter? And how the hell was I to know you would even know who Martin Clark is?’

‘Al, everyone knows who Martin Clark is. Tom?’ There was a muffled noise. ‘Do you know who Martin Clark is?’ Allie heard Tom confirm that yes, he too knew who Martin Clark was.

‘Jess? Am I on speakerphone?’

‘What? Yes. I’m driving. Say hi, Tom.’

‘Hi Allie,’ Tom said, somewhat wearily. ‘You OK?’

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