Page 184 of An Unholy Affair
Estelle leaned forward. ‘Do you know something we don’t?’
Eveline shook her head. ‘It’s nothing.’
Jack leaned in and whispered in her ear. ‘Let your light shine, angel.’
She blushed.
‘What did he say?’ Estelle asked, ‘Actually, I don’t want to know. Go on, Eveline, if you’ve got an insight into what game this cretin is playing, then I need to know.’
Eveline sat up straighter. ‘Okay, but it’s just a thought, that’s all.’
Everyone leaned closer, apart from Jack, who lazily stroked up and down her back.
‘Henry,’ she began. ‘In your most recent dealings with Mr—James. Did you behave badly, or unkindly?’
Henry visibly bristled. ‘He stole my biggest client.’
‘Youdidpunch him,’ Libby said quietly.
‘And after that incident, would you say you were even?’ Eveline asked. ‘Or perhaps thathehad done more wrong toyouthan the other way around?’
Henry shrugged. ‘Yes, I suppose so.’
‘So, you don’t think there is any other reason for James to go out of his way to make your life difficult?’
‘Apart from just being an inherent prick,’ Estelle huffed. ‘That “man” has been an arsehole to Henry since they were at school. Come on, Eveline, what’s your theory? Please tell me you think he’s got a terminal illness and will be dead by the spring.’
‘Estelle!’
Finn snorted with laughter. ‘Honestly, Stelle, I don’t know what you’re worried about. By the end of the first day, you’ll have served him his bollocks on a plate.’
‘Only if I know what he’s up to,’ Estelle replied.
All eyes returned to Eveline.
‘I don’t think his behaviour has anything to do with Henry,’ she began.
‘Shit,’ said Henry. ‘You think he’s still after Summer? Is that what this is all about?’
Next to Eveline, Jack started to chuckle. She caught his eye and smiled.He knows what I’m thinking…
‘What?’ Estelle demanded.
‘I only met him that once,’ Eveline continued. ‘But I had a very strong sense of what is motivating this behaviour.’
‘You do?’ Henry and Estelle asked in unison.
Eveline nodded, looking at her friend. ‘He’s specified that you have to work closely with him, because…’ She took a fortifying breath. ‘He really likes you.’
‘Me?’ Estelle cried. ‘Are you mad? He can’t stand me! And I can’t stand him!’
‘How do you know that?’ she asked.
Estelle’s mouth flapped open and closed a few times before she spoke. ‘He called me “Foxy lady”!’
‘Hedid?’ Connor asked.
‘Twice!’ Estelle continued.
