Page 72 of The Affair
‘Oh, you know me and Neil … gossip for Britain, us.’ She was making light, smoothing the sudden tension.
‘It’s just if you’re taking the car, I need to know when you’ll be back. I’ve got stuff to do.’ He sounded tense.
‘OK. One o’clock, then?’
Devan glanced at the kitchen clock, frowned. ‘Two hours for a coffee?’
‘I haven’t seen him since before Christmas …’
‘Right.’ He shot her a sardonic smile. ‘Lot to catch up on, then.’
Connie chose to ignore his jibe. ‘Come with me? Neil’s your friend too.’
Devan pursed his lips. ‘Think I’ll pass. I might clog the airwaves.’
‘I’ll give him your love.’
‘You could do,’ he said.
She was unable to decide whether he was being sarcastic or not, but she didn’t go there. If she was insecure, then her husband had every right to feel the same. Butshe knew if his constant questioning of where she was going and what she was doing continued, it would drive her mad.
Connie and Neil gave each other the longest hug. She felt it was the first time she could truly relax since the moment when Devan had picked her up from Tessa’s house.
‘No wonder you look frazzled,’ Neil said, once they were settled with their coffee and she’d caught him up with her bizarre Christmas.
She grinned. ‘Thanks.’ A group of mums, babies in buggies and toddlers running about the tables, were chatting and laughing loudly, making quite a din, but she barely noticed.
‘So how’s it going, now you’re back in the old homestead?’
‘Up and down. It’s difficult for Devan, I get that, but he does give me quite a hard time here and there.’ She let out a long sigh. ‘I don’t really mind. I’m just so pleased to be home, Neil. And I know I deserve –’
‘Stop!’ Neil held up his palm like a traffic cop. ‘Old news, darling. You’ve done your penance. Got to move on.’
She laughed wearily. ‘Devan’s not going to forget, though, is he?’
‘It’s more a case of absorbing than forgetting. Jed was part of your and Devan’s life. Nothing’s going to change that. But you can absorb him, now he’s not an issue any more. Reduce him to just a thread in a longand steadfast marriage. You should both be proud of how you’ve survived.’
‘When did you get to be so wise about infidelity?’
He raised his eyebrows slightly.
She frowned. ‘You …Brooks?Surely not.’
Neil cleared his throat noncommittally.
‘When? Why in God’s name didn’t you tell me, Neil?’
‘Same reason you didn’t tell me about Jared, I expect.’ He waved a dismissive hand. ‘It was one night. Years ago. We’re long over it.’
Before she could take in what Neil was saying, or question him further, he was asking, ‘So where’s our beloved stalker now?’
‘No idea. I’m telling myself he’s gone for good. Which I’m trying to believe.’ It was true that she hadn’t sensed anything eerie or strange since being back, glimpsed no shape, no face, no image she thought might be his. The village seemed like a haven after the London streets, which she’d felt had actually vibrated with his presence.
Neil looked sceptical. ‘He’s finally given up? Do stalkers do that?’ When she didn’t immediately reply, he went on, as if she were challenging the label. ‘He might fall short on the bunny-boiling cred, but he’s definitely a stalker, Con.’
‘Yeah, OK. It doesn’t really matter what he is or isn’t, does it? He’s out of my life now.’ Connie was irritated that Neil was making her focus on Jared, prodding the worry, like a child with a stick, that he might reappear. She wasn’t sure her marriage would stand it. Devan had kicked off again yesterday.
They’d been walking in single file in the woods with Riley. It was a gorgeous late January day, almost hot in the sunshine. Connie was feeling good, until Devan, gazing straight ahead as they crested the hill, had reopened the wound.
