Running a weary hand over his forehead, Jamie sighed. ‘Obviously I don’t mind. But I do need to make notes on this report before my meeting tomorrow morning.’ He glanced up at her, a perfunctory smile flicking on and off. ‘So if you’re finished?’
It was the kind of dismissal she imagined he might use at work, to bat away an annoying colleague. Maura took a breath in, let it out, and smoothed the hurt away. ‘I understand,’ she said, getting to her feet. ‘I’ll go and put the kettle on.’
Jamie cocked his head. ‘Not for me, thanks. But there’s a decent Malbec I opened last night. I wouldn’t say no to a glass of that.’
She nodded, knowing he hadn’t left much more than that in the bottle. ‘Sure. I’ll bring it in.’
He didn’t reply, his focus back on the papers in his hand.
Swallowing her misgivings, Maura set off for the kitchen.
The clubhouse hadn’t changed much since Maura’s last visit, although there were no birthday decorations in evidence this time. The crowd was smaller too, but she still saw the same familiar faces. Despite Jamie’s initial diffidence at the suggestion she might join him for Friday evening drinks, she was greeted enthusiastically by the rest of his team. ‘We thought you’d come to your senses and left the bugger,’ Andy said, slapping Jamie cheerfully on the shoulder.
‘Just busy with work,’ Maura replied, smiling.
‘Oh aye?’ Andy said, looking interested. ‘Are you still doing the pots?’
She nodded. ‘That’s right.’
‘Maybe we’ll see you on the telly one of these days,’ he said with a wink.
‘Maybe,’ Maura said, smiling.
Jamie did not smile. ‘I’m going to the bar,’ he said, glancing at her. ‘What do you want?’
‘A coke, please,’ she replied. The rugby club was within walking distance of home so she hadn’t needed to drive but she had a kiln full of ghosts to unload in the morning and she did not need a hangover to get in her way.
Jamie turned an enquiring gaze on Andy. ‘Guinness?’
‘You read my mind,’ Andy replied. ‘I’ll come with you.’
Maura took advantage of their departure to seek out Zoe. She was not seated on the banquettes that lined the back wall, nor was she among the clusters of other wives and girlfriends gathered at the mismatched tables and chairs dotted around the room. There was no sign of her at the bar, although it was possible she was hidden by any one of several burly rugby players. Perhaps she and Liam hadn’t arrived yet, Maura mused, scanning the room to see if there was anyone who might be able to shed some light on Zoe’s odd behaviour. Georgie was a possibility – she’d seen the two of them chatting on a number of occasions and her husband was a Warriors old boy who might well be in the loop if the problem was Liam. But Maura could see Georgie was the middle of a group, deep in conversation. Perhaps she’d be able to catch her on her own later, have a discreet word.
‘Here’s your coke,’ Andy said, offering her a pint glass bobbing with ice cubes and lemon.
A little miffed that Jamie hadn’t brought it to her himself, Maura glanced towards the bar again to see him laughing with a few of the other rugby club stalwarts. She dredged up a smile for Andy. ‘Thanks.’
Nodding, he was about to move away when Maura spoke again.
‘No Liam this evening?’
He took a swig of Guinness. ‘I’d be surprised.’
Maura raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh? Why’s that?’
Andy leaned closer. ‘Rumour has it he’s nursing a broken heart. The lovely Zoe dumped him.’ He paused. ‘Or maybe he dumped her, but I can’t see that happening. He was always punching above with her if you ask me.’
That certainly explained Zoe’s reluctance to speak to her, Maura thought, taking a sip from her own glass. But the fact that Andy knew suggested it was common knowledge, which begged the question, why hadn’t Jamie heard the rumours? ‘Are you sure?’
Andy waved a hand. ‘He’s not here, is he? First time I’ve known him to miss a Friday night social in years.’
‘He might be ill,’ Maura suggested.
‘Except that he’s confirmed to play in the match tomorrow,’ Andy said. ‘Nope, I reckon he’s sat at home, feeling sorry for himself.’
With some justification if he and Zoe really had broken up, she thought but didn’t say. ‘Do you know if anyone has checked on him?’
‘Malky messaged him, to make sure he was okay to play tomorrow.’
