Page 74 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘Oh, Eleva8te has an office in Birmingham?’

‘We don’t, but Jon doesn’t have a clue. Thinking back, he showed very little interest in what I do.’

‘So, what if he decides to come to you?’

‘He won’t. Jon’s a total snob when it comes to the Midlands – there’s no way he’ll show up uninvited. And he’s typically on to the next destination within a week, so…’

‘Hopefully it’s not Verona.’

‘Oh, fuck. What if it is?’

‘Yeah… I’ll get Marie onto it – determine his travel plans for the next few weeks. If he’s off to Verona next weekend, then you should probably postpone.’

‘But what if it’s to propose? Marie said he’s already purchased another ring.’

‘Oh, that’s right. Well, let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. If we determine that Jondoesplan to propose to Lucia next weekend, then we’ll have to regroup. Leave it with me?’

‘Okay.’

‘And, Kate…’ I can tell she’s hedging and I’m almost positive I know why.

‘Yes?’

‘Look, I know I’m not technically your matchmaker now this case has taken a left turn, but do you have romantic feelings for Willem de Vries?’

Oh god.

‘Why do you ask that?’ I ask, deflecting like a novice.

‘If I’m totally off-base…’ she says, giving me an out even though she is very muchonbase, ‘then I apologise. But if I’m not, then please take care. You’ve gone through a lot with Jon, and it can take time to heal from something like that.’

‘Okay,’ I reply wanly.

Poppy’s cautionary words only amplify the doubts I’ve had while playing the does-he-doesn’t-he? guessing game when it comes to Willem’s feelings. Even if hedoessee me in a romantic light, Poppy clearly thinks it’s a bad idea to embark on something new – with anyone.

‘Anyway,’ she says, cheery again, ‘I’ll get onto Marie, and you enjoy your Sunday.’

‘Thanks, I’ll try.’

After we ring off, I sit with my phone in my hands for a few moments.

If Jonisplanning on proposing to Lucia next weekend, then we need to intervene beforehand. If there’s one thing Jon is good at besides lying, it’s proposals. I’d hate for him to tell Lucia she’s the love of his life – and for her to believe it – then drop the same bombshell on her that Willem dropped on me. That cannot happen. I may not have met Lucia yet, but she doesn’t deserve that. No one does.

And as for Poppy’s warning… If I discover that Willem de Vries feels the same way I do, it will take all my willpower to turn him down.

18

POPPY

‘Tell us absolutely everything,’ says Lauren, her eyes alight with curiosity. Lauren is obsessed with celebrity gossip and seemingly anything that resembles it, like a case about a con man who collects fiancées.

‘I told you about it in the group chat,’ I reply with a laugh.

‘I wantdetails, Poppy. Geez.’

‘Okay, but I’m not sure what else to tell you.’

We’ve invited our friends around for Sunday lunch and Tristan’s making one of his signature dishes: roast beef with all the trimmings. While Ravi’s keeping him company in the kitchen, we women – me, Jacinda, Shaz, and Lauren – are stretched out on facing sofas, sipping drinks and catching up.

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