Page 87 of I Knew You Were Trouble

When I emerge from the guest room after my call with Jon Dunn, wearing pyjamas to give the illusion of it being morning in Melbourne, Tristan looks up from the book he’s reading and inverts it on the sofa.

‘How was it?’ he asks.

I squirm from top to toe, then shake out my hands.

‘That good, eh?’

‘I feel disgusting. He’s soawful, Tris.’

‘Well, you are comparing him to me,’ he says, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

I give him a lipless smile.

‘Come here, darling.’ Tristan pats the sofa and I go to him, accepting the offered hug. Eventually, I gently ease away and face him, rocking back on my heels.

‘You know, on the one hand, I can understand how he manages to charm these women, but on the other…’ I shudder, revolted, and Tristan reaches for my hand.

‘Do you think your reaction is because you’re privy to who he really is?’

‘Oh, absolutely. And that’s the thing – if I were in Kate’s situation, I’m not sure I’d see past his charm offensive – not at first anyway. He’s just so…calculating.’

‘Where did you leave it?’ he asks.

‘Well, that seed I planted – him having to front up with a donation to get me back to London – it seems to be germinating. Especially ’cause I laid it on extra thick: I can’t stop thinking about him… I want to return to London as soon as possible… Maybe I’m better at role playing than I thought.’

‘Mmm,’ he murmurs; it’s clear how much this bothers him. ‘And there’s one more thing I’m curious about,’ he says.

‘What’s that?’

‘You want him to donate to the Creative Futures Foundation, but won’t that become obvious to him at some point – that it’s an arts’ program?’

‘Ah, well Marie did some digging, and it turns out to be a subsidiary. If Dunn does agree to cut a cheque, it will be to the parent organisation, which deals in broader educational objectives – likely far more palatable to Dunn. And Saskia has agreed to don her solicitor’s hat again to draw up the contract. She’s confident we’ll be able to cover the paper trail until it’s time to reveal where the money’s really gone.’

‘Is that legal?’ he asks, giving me the side-eye.

‘It’s Saskia, not Marie. If she’s overseeing it then, yes, it will be legal. Now,’ I say, getting up from the sofa, ‘I’m going to shower.’

‘Any chance that’s an invitation?’

If anything can wash away the residue of talking to that ghastly man, it’s a romp in the shower with my handsome hubby. I reach for his hand, and he grins.

* * *

Kate

It’s like déjà vu being back in the airport lounge on a Friday night, waiting to fly to Europe. Only this time, I’m going straight to Verona and Willem is meeting me at the hotel.

Willem. The man has dominated my thoughts all week.

When I first wake up. As I’m getting ready for work. On my commute to the office. Between meetings. During lunch. At my desk when I should be working. On my commute home. And when I lay my head on my pillow at night… Willem, Willem, Willem.

I’m like a teenager with a crush on the cute boy at school – moments away from scribbling his name on my folder in loopy lettering, then drawing a heart around it.

Though, Willem hasn’t been the only thing on my mind. There’s also what Poppy said to me on Sunday and Margot’s warning from Monday night.

It can take time to heal…Meaning: don’t rush into anything.

Be careful with your heart… Meaning: don’t rush into anything.

---