Page 97 of The First Mistake

‘I was trying to get something for Livvy.’

That’s the last thing she was expecting. ‘Sorry, what?’

‘For herbirthday...’

He’s speaking to her as if she’s stupid, as if she should understand what he’s saying; but she can’t, for the life of her, work out what Olivia’s birthday has to do with him not going to the bank.

‘I wanted it to be a surprise,’ he goes on.

‘I’m sorry,’ she says, shaking her head. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘I told you I’d gone to the bank yesterday afternoon, but I went to see someone about a present for Livvy.’

Alice raises her eyebrows, waiting for more.

‘I went to look at a dog.’

‘Adog?’ she repeats incredulously. ‘Since whenhave we wanted a dog?’

‘It’s just something that Livvy mentioned a little while back and I thought it might be a good idea. I wanted it to be a surprise for all of you.’

‘Isn’t that something that you and I should discuss first?’ asks Alice. ‘I’m not sure that I would want one just now. It’s a huge commitment.’

‘Yeah, I know, but I think it would be fun.’

‘Where did you go then?’ asks Alice. ‘To see this dog.’

‘It was over Kent way.’

‘And?’ she asks, trying hard not to let her doubt in his story show in her voice.

‘And what?’

‘Did you like it?’

‘Er, no, it wasn’t right for us.’

‘What was it?’

‘Mmm, it was one of those crossbreeds, like a labradoodle or something.’

‘Ah cute,’ says Alice. ‘What colour?’

‘Chocolate brown,’ he says, quicker now, warming to the theme.

Alice looks in his eyes, trying to see any hint of deceit. ‘So why are you telling me this now?’

‘Because you’ve put me in a corner,’ he says, as if he’s aggrieved. ‘It’s going to be obvious, when we get to the bank, that I didn’t go yesterday. But if you hadn’t insisted on coming ...’

Alice refuses to take the bait and opens the door to the car park. She walks briskly around the corner, leaving Nathan to catch up.

‘And what about Josh?’ she asks, as they fall in line with each other on the high street, narrowly missing a collision with a twin buggy. ‘Or was it Joe?’

‘They should ban those things,’ says Nathan in an effort to change the subject.

‘So, Josh?’ presses Alice, not letting him off. ‘Where did you meethim? Or is that a lie as well?’

‘I’m notlyingAlice,’ he says. ‘Jesus, I just wanted it to be a surprise.’

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