Act Of Betrayal

Laura had watched her go downstairs. Celia had looked dazzling, all the stops pulled out, in a dress of midnight blue taffeta, with a huge stiffened collar framing and accentuating her blonde hair.

She tried to tell herself that for once Jason might have met his match in Celia, but she didn’t believe it in her heart. Whether or not Celia deserved it, she felt anxious for her.

She’d even considered seeking Jason out—not here, but at whatever hotel he was staying at and telling him bluntly that she didn’t believe he wanted to bury the past.

She wanted to say, ‘Whatever residue of bitterness remains, let it stay just between the two of us. If you must punish someone for what happened, then punish me, not my family. My uncle only acted as he did to protect me, because he loved me.’

She tried to imagine his reaction to her words. Tried, and failed.

It was a relief to see Alan’s red Mini backing carefully into a space between two far more opulent vehicles. She snatched up her bag and wrap and flew downstairs just as the doorbell sounded, calling, ‘I’ll get it,’ to Mrs Fraser.

Alan was smiling broadly as she opened the door. He handed her a cellophane box. ‘Happy restaurant opening.’

The box contained flowers—freesias tied with a bow of silver ribbon.

She heard herself say, ‘How lovely. No-one’s ever brought me flowers before.’

Except once, her memory reminded her relentlessly, and they were freesias too. Bought from a street stall on your wedding day as you walked together to the registrar’s.

She said, ‘I’ll put them in water.’

Alan looked surprised. ‘You’re supposed to wear them, I think.’

‘But if you do, they die almost at once, and it’s such a shame.’ She put the box down gently. ‘Do you mind if we leave at once—have our drink in a pub after all? My cousin’s having a cocktail party—business and very boring. I don’t really want us to be caught up in it.’

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