“Becky, what are you doing here?” Luke is coming toward the tree.
“Just…shopping! What a coincidence!”
“As I said, Ms. Bloomwood, I recommend a laminate finish.” The man from the print shop is still bloody talking. “But it is more pricey, so I’ve put in a list of options for you….”
“Thanks! Actually, my husband’s here, so I’ll…I’ll get back to you.”
“Aha!” The print shop guy beams at Luke. “Pleased to meet you. Are you in the double-glazing trade too?”
“No, he’s not.” I cut him off desperately. “Thanks so much. Bye!” At last, to my relief, the print shop guy retreats toward his door and there’s a pause.
“The double-glazing trade?” says Luke at last, a little bemusedly.
“He got…me confused with…someone else.” I shove the mock-up card into my bag. “So, anyway, what are you doing here?”
“Meeting some possible new media consultants for the company.” Luke still looks puzzled. “Let me introduce Nigel and Richard. My wife, Rebecca.”
“Very glad to meet you, Rebecca,” says Nigel, grasping my hand. “You’re the one who identified the need for media training, we hear. Luke told us you weren’t impressed by his client’s performance.”
“Oh, right!” I feel a small glow. I didn’t realize Luke had taken my advice, let alone told other people about it.
“Excuse our less than salubrious office space,” puts in the other man. “We’ve only just moved in.”
“I hadn’t even noticed!” I say with a shrill laugh. “Anyway, I must be off — I was just passing….”
“Have a good afternoon.” Luke kisses me.
“I will.” I hold on to his arm for a moment. “And maybe we can have our picnic later?”
Luke winces. “No, I’m sorry. I should have said, I’ll be late back tonight. New-client dinner.”
“Oh.” I can’t help feeling disappointed. But new business is new business. “Well, never mind. Who’s the client?”
“Venetia.”
My smile freezes on my face. “Venetia?”
“Venetia Carter,” Luke explains to the others. “You know, the celebrity obstetrician? Her old PR agency weren’t cutting it, apparently.”
Venetia’s hiring Brandon Communications. I do not believe this.
“Who’s going to the dinner?”
“Just me and her.” Luke shrugs. “I’ll be handling her account, as we’re old friends.”
I can’t help it. Suspicions are rising up inside me, as thick and fast as ever.
“So…you’re going to have meetings with her and everything?” I wipe my damp upper lip.
“That’s the general idea, Becky.” Luke raises his eyebrows quizzically. “I’ll send her your love, shall I?”
“Yes!” I manage a smile. “Do that!”
Luke walks off with the two men, and I stare after them, my heart thudding.
OK, so maybe I got things a tad wrong today. But there’s no doubt. She’s after Luke. I know it deep down in my heart, just like I know my new orange top from eBay was a mistake.
Venetia’s moving in on my husband. And I have to stop her.
Prendergast de Witt Connell Financial Advisers
INVESTMENT SUMMARY
CLIENT: “BABY BRANDON”
SUMMARY AS OF 24 OCTOBER 2003
FUND A: “LUKE’S PORTFOLIO”
Investment holdings to date:
Wetherby’s Gilt Fund 20%
Somerset European Growth Fund 20%
Start Right Accumulator Fund 30%
Remainder as yet uninvested
FUND B: “BECKY’S PORTFOLIO”
Investment holdings to date:
Gold (Tiffany necklace, ring) 10%
Copper (bracelet) 5%
Shares in First Mutual Bank, Bangladesh 10%
Shares in fabbesthandbagsonline.com 10%
Dior vintage coat 5%
Bottle of 1964 champagne 5%
Share in racehorse named Baby Go for It 5%
Sunglasses “once worn by Grace Kelly” 1%
Remainder as yet uninvested
ELEVEN
I’M GOING TO TALK TO LUKE, I’ve decided. I’m going to be mature and grown-up and just tackle this head-on. So with total resolve I sit up in bed until he arrives home that night. It’s way after midnight as the door opens, and he smells of smoke and drink and…oh my God. Allure.
OK. Don’t panic. Just because he smells of Allure, it doesn’t prove anything.
“Hi! How was the dinner?” I make sure I sound all friendly and encouraging, and not like some whingy wife out of EastEnders.