Page 60 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ she concedes.

‘And as far as bearing bad news goes, Willem was reasonably good at it,’ I add.He’s probably good at lots of things, says my inner voice, which has been getting more unruly every day.

I clear my throat, shifting in my chair again. These thoughts are not only unhelpful, theycouldderail this trip to Verona. Hard to deliver bad news sensitively when you’re distracted by how sexy your travel companion is.

‘Anyway, I should probably get back to work,’ I say.

‘Me too. Good luck with it all, Kate. And if you want to talk while you’re in Italy – aboutanything,’ she says, loading the word with more meaning than I’m comfortable with, ‘then I’m only a phone call away, okay?’

‘Thanks, Poppy. And keep me informed? About Jon, I mean.’

‘Of course. Travel safely.’

‘You too,’ I say, which doesn’t make any sense, something I only realise when the call ends.

I tut at myself as my gaze lands on the small case sitting in the corner of my office. Inside that case, amongst carefully selected outfits and my toiletries and makeup, is an unopened packet of condoms and newly acquired La Perla lingerie.

I’m not sure whothisKate Whitaker is – besides wanton and horny – but the woman who packed prophylactics and a lacy teddy is not the same woman who’s convinced she’s being altruistic by going to Verona.

The question is: can I be both Kates this weekend?

15

KATE

‘Hello, love,’ says Mum when she answers my call. ‘You all right?’

‘Hi, Mum. Yes, good thanks. How are you and Dad?’

‘Oh, you know, love – feeling my age, but otherwise can’t complain.’ It’s her typical response and it makes me smile. ‘As for your father… he’s the same as always.’

‘That’s good.’

‘Hehasgone on a bit of a fitness kick of late, however.’

‘Sonotthe same then,’ I say with a laugh.

She chuckles. ‘I suppose not. He’srunning, Kate.’

‘Running?Dad?’

‘Yes. He’s joined the local park run group for over sixties.’

‘Oh, that’s… surprising.’ My dad has always made fun of runners. He can’t understand why you’d want to ruin a perfectly good walk by going faster.

‘It’s a bloody shock is what it is,’ says Mum. ‘But Charlie roped him in.’ Charlie is my dad’s best friend.

‘How long do you give it?’ I ask.

‘Oh, I don’t know, love. If I’ve learned anything after nearly forty years of marriage it’s that your father can still surprise me. He’ll probably train for a triathlon next.’

This makes me laugh out loud, which feels glorious. One of the many, many reasons I love my mum – she can always make me laugh.

‘Where are you, Kate?’ Mum asks. ‘It sounds busy.’

‘Er, Heathrow. I’m flying to Italy tonight – for the weekend.’

‘Oh, lovely. It’s on the bucket list, Italy, but your father would rather stick closer to home.’

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