Читать книгу The Last Lie: The must-read new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author - Alex Lake, Alex Lake - Страница 14

Jodie, Claire’s oldest friend, was walking towards her across the living room. She was with a man Claire vaguely recognized – perhaps a university acquaintance – and as she reached Claire she gestured at her companion.

‘You remember Trevor?’ Jodie said. ‘I think you may have met at Bunny’s wedding last year?’

Trevor shook her hand. ‘Sorry to crash your birthday party. But I was out with Jo this afternoon. Happy Birthday, by the way.’

Claire smiled, and glanced at Jodie. No one called her Jo. Jodie rolled her eyes slightly, in a look that said I can’t get rid of him.

‘No problem,’ Claire said. ‘Nice to see you.’

‘Where’s Alfie?’ Jodie asked.

‘I’m not sure. Maybe getting a drink? He’s around.’

‘That was quite the … performance earlier,’ she said.

‘It was sweet of him,’ Claire said. She felt defensive, especially after Hugh’s comments. ‘You know Alfie. That’s how he is.’

‘God, I totally agree,’ Jodie said. ‘I didn’t mean anything negative, but not every guy sings songs at his wife’s birthday, you know? I actually thought it was amazing.’

‘He has a really good voice,’ Trevor said. ‘It was … impressive.’

‘He was in a band,’ Claire said, looking at Trevor. ‘That was how we met.’

‘He picked you out in the crowd?’ Trevor said.

‘Not exactly. They were playing at a wedding and he was on his break. I know – it sounds like a cliché, but he wasn’t the band guy looking for groupies at all. He was so nice. So relaxed. He told me about his career singing children’s songs. He wasn’t embarrassed, like some guys would be.’

‘He sings children’s songs?’ Trevor said.

‘He used to,’ Claire said. She was aware there was a hard edge in her voice, but she was getting sick of people thinking Alfie was some kind of beta male because he didn’t run about thumping his chest and downing pints of lager. ‘But sadly not any more.’

‘Well,’ Trevor said, finding it hard to know where to look. ‘It’ll – er – it’ll be a useful skill when you have kids.’

Jodie caught Claire’s eye. She knew they had been trying – unsuccessfully – and she changed the subject.

‘Great party,’ she said. ‘I saw Derek Pritchard. He’s back from Australia. Isn’t he the—’ Jodie was interrupted by her phone ringing. She looked at the screen. ‘God,’ she said. ‘I have to take this. It’s a friend. She’s been having a tough time.’ She lifted the phone to her ear.

‘Pippa?’ she said. ‘Are you OK?’

Claire watched as her friend’s eyes widened.

‘The bastard,’ she said. ‘That is so awful.’ She looked at Claire and Trevor and shook her head. ‘Pips,’ she said. ‘It’s noisy in here. I’m going to call you back, OK? Give me five seconds.’

‘Everything OK?’ Claire asked.

‘Not exactly,’ Jodie replied. ‘Her boyfriend dumped her by text. I think you met her once – Pippa Davies-Hunt?’

‘Yes,’ Claire said. She had a vague memory of a tall woman with very long hair. ‘Maybe at someone’s Christmas do?’

‘Dave Chapel,’ Jodie said. ‘She was dating him for a while. Anyway, she was convinced this new guy was the one, but I had my doubts. He came and went, you know? Blamed it on his job. He’s a doctor.’

‘Did you meet him?’ Claire said.

‘No. But I got a bad impression from the way she talked about him. Anyway, now he’s dumped her, and she’s distraught. The thing is, Pippa is a little bit’ – she pointed her finger at her temple and twirled it – ‘and she doesn’t take this kind of thing well. She wants me to come over. I ought to.’

‘No problem,’ Claire said. ‘You need to leave now?’

‘Maybe in half an hour,’ Jodie said.

‘Great.’ Trevor grinned. ‘I’ll grab some more drinks. Champagne?’

They watched him walk away. ‘Is he—’ Claire began. ‘Are you?’

Jodie shook her head. ‘He called out of the blue and asked if I wanted to meet for coffee. I remembered him from Bunny’s party and I figured it couldn’t do any harm, but now I can’t get rid of him. I told him I was coming to your birthday party and he invited himself along.’

‘At least you’ll be able to tell him you need to be alone with Pippa.’

‘Right,’ Jodie said. ‘Not that that’s going to be great fun. She’s really upset.’

‘I’m not surprised. Dumping someone by text is pretty harsh.’

‘Not something you’d have to worry about,’ Jodie replied. ‘Alfie’s not going anywhere.’

‘No,’ Claire said. ‘I doubt he is. It’s such a relief to be with someone who makes you feel secure. In every other relationship I was always wondering whether whoever it was really loved me, and if they did, why, what it was about me that they loved. It was a constant search for proof so I could relax. But with Alfie – I know he loves me. We connect on some deep level. It’s like we were made for each other. And it’s such a lovely feeling.’

‘You really are lucky,’ Jodie said. ‘I hope I end up in the same boat.’

‘But not with Trevor.’

‘No, not with Trevor. And I know it’s not going all that well right now, but you’ll be pregnant soon, and you two will be the perfect parents. Your kids will be the luckiest kids around.’

Claire didn’t want to say so, but she agreed. It was part of what attracted her to Alfie. She knew their kids would grow up with a dad who showed them how to be affectionate and loving, taught them it was OK to cry and show emotion, hugged and kissed and cuddled them long after they were babies. She had an image of her and Alfie and two children camping in the Lake District or riding bikes in a forest or eating popcorn on a family movie night. It was all she wanted – all he wanted, too – and the thought that it might not happen was unbearable.

‘I hope so,’ Claire said. ‘I’m not sure what I’d do if it didn’t work out. And Alfie would take it hard. I think he’s more desperate than me for kids.’

Jodie gestured to Trevor. He was walking towards them with a bottle of champagne. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘There is one saving grace about not being pregnant. You can have another drink.’