Page 27 of Don't Believe A Word

As she pictured Juliette, Cristy only wished she could shut the image down, or turn her into something that resembled a frog. ‘Think Sophie Marceau at her sultriest,’ she said.

Meena’s eyes widened with alarm. ‘Oh, dear,’ she murmured.

‘And she’s at least ten years younger than me.’

Looking even more worried, Meena said, ‘But she won’t have half your class.’

Cristy only wished it were true.

‘So why did they break up?’ Meena asked. ‘If she’s such a goddess.’

‘All I know is that she wanted to live in Paris and he was determined to stay in Guernsey, so they went their separate ways and now they only see one another … Actually I’ve no idea how often they see one another, but there’s no doubt she’s very at home when she’s there.’

‘Have you talked to him about her?’

Cristy shook her head. ‘I’m not quite sure how to bring it up without sounding petty, or jealous … Anyway, as I told you, we haven’t spoken since I left and for all I know she’s still there.’

‘But you don’t know that for certain.’

‘Maybe I don’t want to.’

Meena clearly wasn’t happy with that. ‘You have to confront this, Cristy,’ she said bossily, ‘and it’s not like you to shy away from a situation. Ask him, outright, if he’s involved with her again. Sure, it’ll be horrible for you if he is, but isn’t it better to know the truth so you can start moving on if you need to?’

Unable to deny that, as much as she might not relish it, Cristy said, ‘Maybe this way we save one another the awkwardness of having to admit that we –he– made a mistake.’

‘But you have to be in touch anyway, for the podcast – didn’t you say he’s getting some information for you?’

‘He can give it to Connor, or Jacks, it doesn’t have to be me.’

Meena sat back in her chair and fixed her with a long hard stare. ‘Do you know what I think?’ she said in the end.

‘I know you’re going to tell me.’

‘I think you were so hurt by Matthew that you’re going into self-protection mode way before you need to. I mean, it’s not as if David hasn’t tried ringing, you said yourself he has …’

‘Once, and I left there over a week ago.’

‘… and what sort of message do you think you’re sending by not calling back?’

Cristy’s eyebrows rose sceptically. ‘He’ll know why I haven’t,’ she countered.

‘Really? Tell me what happened after he disappeared withLa Françaiseon New Year’s Day.’

‘With a bottle of wine, don’t forget.’

‘Didn’t you ask him about it when he came back? How long was he gone for?’

‘A couple of hours, I think.’

‘Was she with him the whole time?’

‘I presume so.’

‘Did she come back with him?’

‘No.’

‘So how was he with you after that?’

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