Suddenly I realize that Luke isn’t listening to a word. His eyes are darkening as they focus beyond me, on Nathan Temple.
“Is that—” He shakes his head in disbelief. “What’s he doing here? I thought Gary was getting rid of him.”
“Luke—”
“Hold on, Becky. This is important.” He pulls out his phone and taps in a number. “Gary,” he says in low tones. “What’s Nathan Temple doing in our foyer? You were supposed to be dealing with it.”
“Luke—” I try again.
“Sweetheart, wait a minute.” He turns back to the phone. “Well, he’s here. Larger than life.”
“Luke, please, listen—” I tug his arm urgently.
“Becky, whatever it is, can’t it wait till later?” Luke says with a touch of impatience. “I have a problem here that I have to sort out—”
“But that’s what I’m trying to tell you!” I say in desperation. “It’s about your problem! It’s about Nathan Temple!”
“How can it be to do with Nathan Temple? Becky, you don’t even know Nathan Temple!”
“Er… well… actually… yes, I do.” I bite my lip. “Kind of.”
Slowly Luke closes up his phone. “You ‘kind of’ know Nathan Temple?”
“Here’s Mr. Brandon!” A voice rings out and we both look up to see that Janet at the reception desk has spotted us. “Luke, you’ve got a visitor!”
“Just coming, Janet,” Luke calls back with a professional smile. He turns to me, still smiling. “Becky, what the fuck has been going on?”
“It’s… It’s a bit of a long story,” I say, my face hot.
“Were you planning to share this story with me at any stage?” Luke’s smile is fixed in place, but there’s a definite edge to his voice.
“Yes! Of course! I was just… waiting for the right moment.”
“Do you think this might possibly be a good moment? Bearing in mind he’s a few fucking yards away?”
“Er… yes! Absolutely.” I cough nervously. “Well. It all began… er… in a shop, as it happens—”
“Too late,” interrupts Luke in an undertone. “He’s coming.”
I follow Luke’s gaze to see that Nathan Temple has got out of his chair and is advancing toward us.
“So, here he is.” His hoarse voice greets us. “The elusive Luke Brandon. You’ve been keeping your husband from me, young lady, haven’t you?” He wags a mock-accusing finger at me.
“Of course not!” I laugh shrilly. “Er… Luke, do you know Nathan Temple? We met in Milan, um… remember, darling?” I give a bright, fake smile as if I’m a dinner party hostess and this is all perfectly normal.
“Good evening, Mr. Temple,” says Luke calmly. “How nice to meet you properly.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Nathan Temple claps Luke on the back. “So, you’re feeling better, I hope.”
Luke’s eyes flicker toward me, then immediately back to Nathan Temple.
“I’m feeling quite well,” he replies. “May I ask what this… unexpected visit is regarding?”
“Well,” says Nathan Temple, reaching in his coat pocket for a monogrammed silver cigar case. “Seems you won’t take calls from my office.”
“I’ve been very busy this week,” Luke replies without flinching. “I do apologize if my secretaries have failed to pass on your messages. Was there something in particular you wanted to discuss?”
“My hotel project,” says Nathan, offering Luke a cigar. “Our hotel project, I should say.”
Luke starts to reply, but Nathan Temple lifts a hand to stop him. He carefully lights his cigar and puffs on it a few times. “Forgive me for turning up here out of the blue,” he says at last. “But when I want something… I don’t hang around. I go and get it. Much like your good wife here.” His eyes twinkle. “I’m sure she told you the story.”
“I think she was probably saving up the best part,” Luke says with a tight smile.
“I like your wife,” Nathan Temple says affably. He blows out a cloud of smoke and runs appraising eyes over me. “You want to come to work for me anytime, sweetheart, you just give me a ring.”
“Gosh!” I say, a bit thrown. “Er… thanks!”
I glance apprehensively at Luke. A vein is throbbing in his forehead.
“Becky,” he says in polite, measured tones. “Might we have a little word? Do excuse us for a moment,” he adds.