Page 113 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘Mm-hmm. So, what’s your excuse going to be?’ she asks.

‘How about a migraine?’ Margot suggests.

‘He’d just tell Kate to take a headache tablet,’ Lucia replies. ‘That’s what he said to me when I actuallydidhave a migraine. Have you ever sat through a five-act opera with a pounding head?’

Her mention of the opera reminds me of Willem, but I need to focus on Jon right now, not how royally I’ve cocked things up with Willem.

‘What if you’ve got something contagious?’ Adriana suggests.

‘Yes, like the flu!’ Margot agrees excitedly.

‘You seem oddly pleased about infecting me with a fake illness,’ I say.

‘I’mpleasedthat Jon’s getting what’s coming to him,’ she replies. ‘I wish I could be a fly on the wall when you all confront him. Unless… ooh, do you think I could?—’

‘No, Margot. And this time, I mean it.’

She shrugs. ‘It was worth asking.’

I don’t agree, but I let it go.

26

POPPY

‘Babe, don’t hate me,’ I say, entering our bedroom after my call with Kate.

‘I’d be hard-pressed to come up with any reason to hate you, but what’s going on? Is it your case?’

‘It is, and I need to stay home tonight.’

His mother is hosting a swanky event for one of the charities she’s on the board of. It’s for the beautification of an affluent, already beautiful area of London that needs charitable funds about as much as Jeff Bezos.

Tristan’s eyes light up with glee. ‘You mean we don’t have to make small talk with horrible people, then sit through a sub-par meal and boring speeches?’

‘Well,Idon’t but you could go by yourself.’

‘Oh, no, no, no. You being there is the only thing that would make it bearable. If you’re not going, then neither am I.’

‘Okay. So, will you come up with a plausible excuse?’ I ask.

‘Why not just tell the truth – that you have to work?’

‘Oh, yes, I’m sure Helen wouldlovethat. She already thinks my job is a load of hooey. She’s hardly gonna believe there’s such thing as a matchmaking emergency. She’ll think we’re making it up.’

‘Hmm, how about I sayIhave to work?’

I cross to him where he’s stretched out on the bed, an inverted book on his chest, and bend down for a kiss. ‘I trust you to figure it out, babe. Now, I have to go get ready to talk to that horrible man.’

‘Oh,’ he says, sitting up, ‘I hadn’t realisedthat’swhy we’re staying in.’

‘Yeah, sorry. Hands-down the worst thing I’ve ever had to do in the name of a case. But I reckon it’ll be over soon.’

‘All right.’ He gives me a weak smile and I leave, going into our guest room, which doubles as my office.

The first thing I need to do is ping Saskia about the contract for Dunn’s charitable donation. It’s not ideal, having to interrupt my boss on a Saturday night, especially as she insists that we ‘switch off’ over the weekend, but sometimes that’s not possible.

She answers my call almost right away, the distinct sounds of family-night festivities in the background. I apologise, but as always, she tells me it’s no trouble before getting down to business.

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