Page 124 of I Knew You Were Trouble

Lucia is the first to break, her laughter filling the room, then Adriana and I exchange a glance and join in.

‘Oh, Jon,’ says Lucia, waving her hands in front of her face. ‘That’s the funniest thing you’ve ever said.’

Now we’re proper laughing – all three of us – and the release is incredible. Meanwhile, Jon is standing there, hands on his hips, glaring at us.

‘I’m not sure what you find so amusing,’ he bellows. Our laughter reduces to sniggers, but none of us stop laughing outright. ‘I think you’ll find that what this woman has done,’ he says, pointing at Poppy, ‘is illegal. And if you had anything to do with it, you’ll go down with her.’

‘Mr Dunn,’ says Poppy, grabbing his attention. His glowering eyes slide in her direction. ‘You’re not in the position to issue threats and I’m sure once you consult your solicitor, you will learn two things. First, that contract you signed is watertight. Top-notch solicitors have seen to that. Second, this wasn’t a one-off donation. You agreed to donate £150,000annuallyfor the next ten years – all going towards the Jon Theodore Dunn Arts’ Education Bursary.’

Jon turns beet-red, rounding on us.

‘I don’t know where you found this… this…harpy, but you will rue the day, I can promise you. Especiallyyou!’ He stabs his finger at Adriana. ‘Arts’ education? Is this some sort of joke?’

‘No more than you proposing to me when you were already engaged to Kate,’ she replies pointedly.

Jon vigorously shakes his head, his face now purple. ‘This is…outrageous, that’s what! You’ll be hearing from my solicitor. Gah!!!’ he shouts as he storms out.

I’m sure he wishes he could have slammed the door, but this is a hotel and hotel doors don’t work that way.

‘Harpy,’ says Poppy with a laugh. ‘Well, I’ve been called worse.’

And we all break into raucous laughter.

29

KATE

It’s like a fragrant spring breeze has blown through the suite, sweeping away the remnants of Jon’s presence.

It’s done.

‘That was brilliant,’ says Lucia, pacing in front of the windows, shaking out her hands. ‘Justbrilliant.’ She turns to us with a grin.

‘Ja, briljant,’ Adriana agrees. She throws back her head, closes her eyes, and presses her hands to her chest, expelling several sighs in a row, the last one turning into laughter. ‘Niet te geloven,’ she says to herself, sighing again.

Even without knowing exactly what she’s said, her meaning is clear. I plop back onto the sofa, depleted but elated.

‘Uh, ladies,’ says Poppy, ‘a reminder that this suite is paid for until Sunday if you’d like to stay.’

Adriana and Lucia exchange an excited look. ‘What do you think?’ Adriana asks.

‘It’s the least Jon could do,’ says Lucia. ‘What if we order one of everything on the room service menu and have a girls’ night in?’

‘Orwe have cocktails and dinner downstairs and charge it to the suite,’ says Adriana with a waggle of her brows.

‘Well, we do have two nights here…’ says Lucia with a sly grin. ‘I say we do both. And you should invite Margot. But first, let’s ask them to send up a bottle of Champagne.’

‘Yes!’ exclaims Adriana. ‘Oh,’ she says, looking my way. ‘Sorry, Kate. What wouldyoulike to do?’

‘Quite frankly, this hotel doesn’t hold the best memories for me. I’d rather go home, but you two stay and enjoy it. You deserve it,’ I reply with a warm smile.

But Adriana responds with a frown. ‘Will you at least have Champagne with us before you go? You too, Poppy.’

Poppy and I agree and Lucia calls room service and places the order. While we wait, I sidle over to Poppy.

‘I wasn’t aware Jon’s donation was going to be annual,’ I say. ‘That’s a lot of money.’

‘It is and it isn’t for someone that wealthy. Hopefully, what will sting the most is the annual reminder that he was tricked.’

---