Page 145 of An Unholy Affair
‘God, just look at him,’ Estelle muttered. ‘He’s absolutely vile.’
Eveline took another gulp of her drink. James was surveying the room as if he already owned everyone and everything in it. His cool gaze snagged on the three of them and his eyes gleamed.
‘Don’t look at him!’ Estelle hissed. She grabbed Eveline where her bandage was, to turn her towards the bar.
White hot pain shot up her arm and she cried out, her drink falling from her hand.
‘Oh, my god! Sorry! Shit, are you okay?’
Henry picked her drink from the floor. ‘Eveline, are you alright?’
She nodded, pushing a swell of nausea down. ‘I’m fine. It’s just a little painful, that’s all.’
‘May I see?’
She held her arm out to him. ‘There’s nothing really to see. Honestly, it’s okay.’
Henry was frowning as he stared at her skin. ‘It looks really red. Have you been to the doctor?’
‘She won’t go,’ Estelle grumbled.
‘I’ll go if it’s not better on Monday,’ Eveline replied. ‘But these things always take time to heal.’
‘What did you do?’ Henry asked.
‘A mild cut, a graze really, when I was fixing the pen the other day.’
‘Hello,’ a velvety voice said behind them.
‘Speaking of pigs…’ Estelle muttered as the three of them turned as one to face James Hunter-Savage.
Eveline nudged Estelle’s foot with her own and extended her hand.
‘Hello!’ she said brightly, trying to ignore the pain still shooting from her arm to her stomach. ‘I’m Eveline Shaw, the vicar at Saint Saviour’s.’
James shook her hand, almost masking the flicker of surprise in his eyes when she said the word ‘vicar’.
‘Lovely to meet you. I’m James. I’ve just moved to the area with my family.’
‘How many children do you have?’ Eveline asked, trying to blind him with sunshine, whilst Estelle and Henry silently thundered on either side of her.
James chuckled, his eyes briefly flitting to Estelle before replying. ‘No children. My parents have bought the property on the other side of the river.’
‘Well, it’s delightful to meet you. You and your parents are welcome to visit the church or the rectory at any time.’
‘Eveline!’ hissed Estelle. ‘No!’
‘James, have you met Estelle yet?’ Eveline continued. ‘She’s my best friend and really is utterly charming.’ She turned to Estelle, who looked like she was trying to summon lightning bolts from her eyes.
‘Yes, she is…’ James extended his hand to her.
Estelle’s remained at her sides, clenched into fists.
‘This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure,’ James continued, dropping his arm. ‘And it would appear she still doesn’t want to touch me.’
‘Not even if you were the last man on earth!’ Estelle spat.
‘Estelle! James, I must apologise—’
