‘I get by,’ she said. ‘I’ve got a studio at home, and I teach a few days a week. But tell me about you – what have you been doing all these years?’
Fraser wasn’t arrogant enough to be upset that she had no idea he was an actor. He wasn’t especially famous, although several of the adverts he’d starred in had been very successful and he’d enjoyed a number of smaller roles both in TV and on stage, enough to pay the bills and give him a comfortable enough lifestyle. But if he was honest, most of his career had been spent waiting for his big break – the role that would open the door to real success and acclaim – and it was that relentless, never quite satisfied anticipation that had eventually propelled him to try something else. ‘I went to drama school – we must have been in London at the same time. Anyway, I spent a few years as a jobbing actor, auditioning for pretty much anything my agent threw my way, and that led to a few good roles.’
She threw him an enquiring look. ‘Anything I would have seen?’
It was the question most actors dreaded, in the same way that writers hated to be asked whether they’d written anything the other might have read, but Fraser accepted her curiosity as natural. ‘Let’s see now,’ he said, stroking his beard as though pondering. ‘Do you remember the toilet bleach advert a few years back – the one with the man who proposes to a human-sized, cuddly duck?’
There was a brief silence, during which Maura seemed to be trying to work out whether he was being serious. ‘Yes. Did you play the man?’
‘No, I was the duck,’ Fraser said solemnly. ‘Then there were the fast-food adverts starring Louis the chicken, but I doubt you’d have recognized me under all the feathers.’
She shook her head, and Fraser thought she was definitely trying not to laugh. ‘Um, I don’t think I remember—’
‘Or, if you’re into soap operas, I played Marion’s bit on the side inBroadoaksfor a few months. And – my personal favourite – I was once horribly poisoned by Penelope Keith in an episode ofDeath in Dorset.’
That did it – a snort of laughter escaped Maura’s best efforts to hold it in. ‘You’re not serious,’ she said, mirth dancing in her eyes.
‘Oh, but I am,’ he assured her gravely. ‘One of my finest performances. I guarantee you’ll never see anyone faceplant into a bowl of broccoli and stilton soup with more perfectly encapsulated astonishment and regret.’
Maura laughed outright then, just as the blonde woman Fraser recalled introducing herself as Zoe materialized at her shoulder. ‘What’s the joke?’ she asked, glancing from Maura to Fraser with undisguised interest.
Maura grinned. ‘Fraser was just describing some of his favourite acting jobs.’
‘Was he?’ Zoe said, studying him. ‘So did you find out if you were at school together?’
‘We were,’ Fraser confirmed, smiling at Maura. ‘It’s a small world, apparently.’
‘Or Edinburgh is a small city,’ she countered. ‘Although I don’t run into many old St Ignatius students, it has to be said.’
Fraser was about to respond when he saw Naomi making her way across the kitchen to where he stood. Her porcelain features were impassive as she joined the group. ‘Are you keeping these ladies entertained, darling?’ she asked, slipping her arm through his. Her head tilted indulgently towards Maura and Zoe. ‘He’s always the life and soul of the party. Can’t take my eyes off him for a second.’
Fraser cleared his throat. ‘Naomi, this is Zoe, who I’ve just met, and Maura, who I went to school with.’
Was it his imagination or was Maura’s smile a little strained? ‘Pleased to meet you,’ she said.
‘Likewise,’ Naomi offered. ‘It’s so nice to get these little glimpses into Fraser’s past. Edinburgh seems to be full of people he used to know.’ She broke off to glance meaningfully at the expensive-looking watch that decorated her wrist. ‘Speaking of which, we really ought to get going if we’re going to catch the fireworks from the Balmoral.’
‘Already?’ Fraser said, checking the time for himself and seeing it was almost 11.15pm. ‘Hell’s bells, you’re right.’ He threw Maura an apologetic look. ‘Sorry, I’m afraid I’ve got to go.’
She waved a hand. ‘I’d be going as well, if I had a ticket to the Balmoral.’ A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. ‘But it was good to catch up.’
Fraser had to agree. Up until half an hour ago, he’d forgotten Maura McKenzie even existed but now he was surprised to find himself more than a little intrigued. It was a shame he had to leave. ‘It was good,’ he said. ‘Really good. I’m glad you’re doing well.’
Whatever Maura had been about to say in reply was interrupted by a commotion in the hallway. A young man stumbled into the kitchen, his face an unhealthy shade of green. He took several uncertain steps forward and then stopped dead in front of the group. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Naomi move hurriedly back and he did the same, just as the youth let out a strangled moan and bent double. With a yelp, Zoe jumped out of the way but Maura was not so lucky. Trapped by the edge of the table, there was nothing she could do to avoid the contents of his stomach. It landed with a splatter all over her feet.
‘Well,’ Naomi said brightly in the silence that followed. ‘I think that’s our cue to leave. So lovely to meet you both.’
Fraser caught sight of Maura’s horrified expression. ‘Shall I get you some kitchen roll?’
‘No,’ she croaked, lifting one foot to create an unpleasant squelching sound. ‘You head off to your party.’
‘But—’
‘Really,’ Maura said, with determined jollity. ‘Off you go. It was great to see you again. Happy New Year.’
He hesitated, caught between the desire to help and the realisation he was somehow only making her feel worse. ‘Um – Happy New Year to you too,’ he said finally. ‘And to you, Zoe. Things can only get better.’
A drunken roar erupted from the living room, causing Zoe to shake her head and wince. ‘I’m afraid it sounds as though things are going to get very much worse.’
