Page 17 of I Knew You Were Trouble

Ursula huffs angrily. ‘I thought as much. Thosecowboys,’ she spits, imbuing the word with a substantial amount of rancour.

‘So, you’ve encountered them before?’ Paloma asks.

As one of London’s most prestigious matchmaking agencies, we’re aware of the competition, but it’s rare that we engage with another agency directly.

Ursula nods as she looks at us in turn. ‘Perfect Pairings,’ she says, her clipped accent hitting the Ps as though she’s spitting out grape pips. ‘I know exactly who they are. My former business partner is at the helm.’

Nowthisis news and I shelve my big reveal for later.

‘I hadn’t realised,’ says Paloma. ‘That you’d once been in a partnership.’

Neither had I. Ursula has been a matchmaker since the early nineties, but my understanding was that she ran a one-woman agency until Saskia persuaded her to join Ever After eleven years ago.

Ursula waves a hand dismissively. ‘Ancient history and not something I like to dwell on. When Clarissa and I parted ways – as far from amicably as is possible – I decided I’d be better off flying solo.’

‘Until you came to us,’ says Saskia with a smile.

She and Ursula exchange a warm look.

‘Yes, until then.’

‘So, why did the two of you fall out?’ Paloma asks, intruding on their moment.

‘That list is as long as the Thamesandjust as convoluted. Suffice to say, Clarissa wanted to cut corners and I did not.’

‘On such things as vetting perspective matches?’ I venture.

‘Precisely,’ she says, her mouth milking every syllable from the word. ‘Perfect Pairings is only successful because they play a numbers game. The more people through the door, the more matches they can claim to have made. Never mind the pour souls who end up with no one or – worse – someone like your client’s fiancé, Poppy.’

‘I had no idea they were soreckless,’ says Saskia, her brows knitted. It’s highly unusual for her to react so vehemently, but it’s also understandable.

‘But how have they flown under the radar so successfully?’ asks Paloma. ‘Surely someone’s spoken out at some point? They must have had dozens of unhappy clients over the years.’

‘I’d say it’s in the hundreds,’ says Ursula, ‘but Clarissa is shrewd. I’ve seen a copy of the agreement her clients sign – absolutely no wiggle room for complaints.’

‘I hate to be that person,’ says Paloma, ‘but it might be a good thing, their confidentiality clause. If these practices got out, it could be a blight on the entire profession.’

As head of client relations, I can understand her perspective. Any distrust of the profession would impact Ever After and, by extension, our clients.

We’re all quiet for a moment – me as I contemplate whether it’s worth mentioning Kate’s request, especially as revenge is a weighty addition to an already troubling discussion. Maybe it’s better left for another time.

‘Poppy?’ Saskia asks. ‘Do we know if the second woman used the same agency?’

‘Uh, no, she didn’t use an agency. She met Dunn by happenstance.’

‘Hah,’ snorts Paloma, and we all look at her. ‘Sorry, but men like that don’t meet their second fiancées “organically”,’ she says, her voice ripe with sarcasm. ‘I can almost guarantee it.’

‘Agreed,’ says Ursula.

‘Well,’ I say, ‘if Kate does go to Amsterdam to meet Adriana, she can find out more. I should also mention that Adriana’s brother, Willem de Vries, is continuing to investigate Dunn.’

‘Concerns about there being another fiancée?’ asks Saskia. ‘I suppose it’s possible there’s a third woman out there, also in the dark.’

‘Or a fourth,’ Paloma remarks cynically – although, I’ve thought the same thing.

‘That’s it exactly,’ I reply to Saskia. ‘Something about Dunn’s supposed whereabouts not adding up – too many gaps in his stories.’

‘Do you think we should bring Marie in?’ asks Paloma. ‘To assist the brother?’

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