Anna dropped her off at home Kate had lost all enthusiasm for more painting. There was only one wall left to do and that, she decided, could wait. Now she had a sitting room worthy of the name she would spoil herself and stretch out on her new chaise to read instead of doing any one of a long list of things she should be doing instead. She enjoyed a whole hour deep in the intricacies of a courtroom thriller before the telephone rang to spoil her fun.
‘Richard here, Kate. How are you?’
‘I’m well. How are things with you?’
‘Busy. Did you enjoy your weekend?’
‘I did, very much. Nasty journey back, but it was worth it.’
‘I’m sure it was. Look, Kate, I know this is short notice, but are you free tomorrow? A film, meal, anything you like.’
‘Sorry, Richard. I’m already booked for dinner tomorrow.’
Kate could feel her face growing pink during a pause which lasted too long for comfort.
‘Is that the truth?’ he asked at last, ‘or is it your way of letting me down lightly?’
‘Richard,’ said Kate on impulse. ‘Are you going home about now?’
‘Yes. I’m just locking up.’
‘Would you like to call here for a drink first?’
‘Of course I would. See you soon.’
Kate checked on the contents of the fridge and went back to the sitting room to her book. When she heard a car stop outside she put a marker in her page and got up to answer the door, then stared in dismay.
‘You were expecting someone else?’ Jack inquired sardonically.
‘Yes, I am.’ She shrugged. ‘It’s a bit awkward, but come in, if you like.’
‘But you’d rather I made myself scarce.’
‘Yes, please. I’ll explain later.’
He threw her a flinty look, strode to the Jensen at the kerb and drove off with a growl of engine just as Richard Forster’s car turned into the Crescent.
‘Was that Logan?’ he asked as he got out.
‘Yes. Do come in.’
Kate showed him into the sitting room. ‘I can offer you beer or a glass of wine. Or medicinal brandy,’ she added as an afterthought, feeling rather in need of one herself.
‘Beer would be good. Attractive house,’ he added, looking round.
‘Thank you. I won’t be a moment.’ Kate took a can of beer and a tonic from the fridge, filled two glasses and went back to the sitting room.
Richard took the beer and stood in front of the fireplace with the air of a man not expecting to stay long. ‘You’ve asked me here for a reason, Kate,’ he said without preamble. ‘Will you tell me what it is?’
‘It seemed better to talk to you face to face.’ She drank some of her tonic. ‘Firstly, I really am going out on Saturday night.’ At least she hoped so.
‘Firstly means a secondly coming up,’ he said dryly.
She nodded. ‘I have a question to ask. You don’t have to answer it, of course.’
He looked at her with steady blue eyes. ‘Ask away.’
‘Are you still in love with your wife?’
Richard blinked, startled, as though this was the last thing he’d expected. He was silent for a long time, his face like a mask, then shrugged, his eyes hard. ‘Yes,’ he said bitterly. ‘I am.’
Kate nodded. ‘I thought so.’
‘Because you’re still in love with Logan?’ he said, startling her in turn.
‘I used to be, once,’ she admitted.
‘Is he taking you out on Saturday?’
‘Not exactly. He’s asked me to a dinner party at his house—with other guests,’ she added.
Richard drank some of his beer, eyeing her over the rim of his glass. ‘I’ve heard that entertaining at home isn’t the Logan style.’
‘So have I.’
Richard put the glass down on the table, and looked Kate in the eye. ‘It’s now established that you have a prior engagement on Saturday, but why, exactly, did you ask about my wife?’
‘Look, Richard,’ said Kate, taking the bull by the horns, ‘I don’t think casual dating is your kind of thing. If I’ve got a colossal nerve to think you’d want something less casual with me, I apologise, humbly. But I thought it best to say, face to face—’
‘That a relationship of any kind between us is out of the question?’
‘Yes, Richard. And not because I don’t like you, because I do, very much. But my gut feeling tells me that the only relationship you really want is with your wife.’
For a moment Kate thought he would make a furious denial, but after a fraught silence Richard nodded grimly. ‘Your instinct is right. I do want her back, for all the good it