Page 13 of I Knew You Were Trouble

Ofcourse, Poppy made the connection; this has Margot’s pawprints all over it. I wouldn’t have eventhoughtabout seeking retribution had she not brought it up – save for keeping the ring and selling it.

‘That’s an astute observation,’ I reply.

‘Well, from what you’ve told me, this seems more like a Margot idea than something you’d come up with.’

‘She can be scarily convincing.’

‘I don’t doubt it.’

‘But it’s not like she suggested it and I suddenly agreed,’ I explain hastily. I may be a naïve idiot when it comes to Jon, but I’m not a total pushover.

‘I don’t doubt that either,’ Poppy replies kindly.

‘But there is a part of me – agrowingpart of me – that wants Jon to pay for what he did. And not just footing the bill for a day of pampering.’ I roll my eyes at myself. ‘In hindsight, it’s rather juvenile that we did that – like a silly prank perpetrated by a teenager. It’s not like he’s going to bat an eye.’

‘Maybe not, but don’t knock self-care. Everyone needs to top up their own bucket from time to time. You needed it – if only to build up your emotional stamina for what’s to come.’

I contemplate this for a moment, recognising that I told myself the same thing. ‘All right – fair. I get a pass on the massage and the facial –andthe bottomless Champagne.’

‘Everyone gets a pass on that.’ For her weak joke, she gets a weak smile. ‘And, as I said, it’s completely normal to wish him ill,’ she continues reassuringly. ‘It will take some time for you to fully process what’s happened, but there are other ways to get on with your life.’

‘Such as?’ I ask. Poppy must have seen and heard it all when it comes to love, but right now, I couldn’t feel further from ‘getting on with my life’.

‘Well, you’ve heard the adage that the best revenge is living a happy life – or something to that effect?’

I shrug noncommittally. Having never been in this situation before – none of my previous breakups involved cheating – I’ve never really considered the nuances of revenge.

‘How about karma?’ she asks hopefully. ‘Do you believe that what goes around comes around, that Dunn will eventually get his just desserts?’

‘Honestly?’

‘Always.’

We exchange a smile.

‘From my experience, people like Jon –menlike Jon, especially – they don’t get their just desserts. They simply go about life doing whatever the hell they want, not giving a rat’s arse about who they hurt along the way. So, no, I don’t give much credence to karma.’

‘That’s fair. But I’ll be honest with you, Kate, our agency has vast resources we can deploy when needed but we’re in the business of happily ever afters, not payback.’

‘I understand,’ I say. I’m disappointed, but I knew it was a long shot.

There’s also a part of me that’s relieved. I’m not sure what I would have done if Poppy had agreed – bought a sword and taken fencing lessons?Hello, my name is Kate Whitaker. You lied about wanting to marry me. Prepare to have your bollocks lopped off.Maybe IamInigo Montoya – only the wronged fiancée version, Iniga.

And I’m not sure why every time I think about exacting revenge on Jon, he ends up castrated. Actually, I do, and her name is Margot.

‘Look,’ says Poppy, drawing my attention, ‘what Icando is bring this to my colleagues and get their take on it.’

‘Really?’ I ask, suddenly hopeful.

‘Really. I’ve never encountered anything like this before, so maybe they can provide some additional insight or…’ She throws up her hands. ‘Scratch that. I genuinely have no idea what they’ll make of it, so no promises, okay?’

‘No, no, I understand,’ I say, leaning forward, my eyes locked on hers. ‘Andthankyou, Poppy.’

‘Don’t thank me yet. There may be nothing more we can do for you – other than put you back on the books, but you’ve said you don’t want that.’

‘God, no. I pity the next man who comes within three feet of me.’

Poppy glances at her watch, which prompts me to check mine.

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