and filing. What do you do?’ I kept my tone conversational and friendly. I had a witness and I wanted to make sure nothing I said could be misconstrued. My question was designed for diversion in the hope that Victoria would want to brag about whatever she did, which was far superior to a lowly admin job. I remember Sam saying that she worked for her dad’s company.
‘Event management, social media influencer, that sort of thing,’ said Victoria. ‘I’m helping Sally for the anniversary party. I hear you’re coming.’ There was a not-so-subtle pause before she added, ‘Now. It’s taking so much planning but it’s a really big deal for them. They want to celebrate with all their dearest friends and family. Sally really knows how to throw a party… We went to some brilliant parties at their old house, didn’t we, Paige? Remember the barbecue when Sam almost set fire to the lawn?’
‘Oh God, yes. And poor Tiggy was beside herself trying to eat the sausages.’
I just nodded as they began to reminisce and felt a lot better when Sam’s hand brushed mine. He was engrossed in conversation with his mates on my right-hand side but still aware of me. My smile in response to his touch was involuntary, but unfortunately Victoria spotted the tiny gesture and her lip curled. Until that point, I’d felt I was doing OK in front of an audience that, while not quite hostile, was certainly full of prurient interest. I’d acquitted myself quite well. Paige had almost smiled a couple of times and Victoria clearly felt she’d established her superiority.
‘It won’t last, you know,’ she hissed. ‘No one is going to have anything to do with you. None of Sam’s friends want to meet you. And Sam’s friends are very important to him. They’ll never accept you.’ She pulled Paige away and the two of them went to sit down at the table behind us.
Schooling my face into a mask of polite serenity, I turned to Sam and listened into his conversation, smiling at the two guys talking to him.
Mike gave me a curt nod, but his eyes slid away quickly as he addressed his next comment to Sam.
‘So, you playing this weekend? Tough match.’
Sam slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
‘Yes. Their bowler is a bit handy.’
‘Yeah, but erratic. You coming to the barbecue on Sunday?’
‘Probably not,’ said Sam.
‘Not working, surely. Come on, man. You can take a day off marking books.’
‘No. Jess and I are out.’ We were? That was news to me. We hadn’t even talked about the weekend, although I’d got used to him playing cricket most Saturdays, so that wasn’t a surprise.
‘Joined at the hip, are you?’ Mike’s laddish grin didn’t take the slight sting out of his words. ‘Got you well under the thumb.’
‘We’ve got plans,’ said Sam again, squeezing my waist. I swallowed down disappointment. He was making excuses and I could guess why.
‘That’s a shame, we haven’t seen you for ages.’
‘You see me every Saturday,’ teased Sam.
‘Yeah, but it’s not the same. You bugger off after the match every week.’ Mike’s mouth tightened and he shot me a cold stare, although his tone when he spoke was decidedly matey. ‘You ought to let him off the leash a bit, love. I’m sure you can spare him a few hours with his mates.’ The jolly grin accompanying his words was not echoed in his flat-eyed stare of challenge.
Sam’s fingers tightened around my waist and I felt him stiffen.
‘I’m not the enemy here,’ I said quietly, lifting my chin before Sam could say anything. ‘Sam makes his own choices. This isn’t a Brothers Grimm tale, you know. I’m not some enchantress who’s ensnared him.’ I brushed my hand down my denim shorts. ‘I’m pretty ordinary, really.’ I’d have loved to add that Victoria was doing a great job of channelling Maleficent vibes but I knew, without being paranoid, that every word I said would be taken down and used against me.
I couldn’t see around Mike but I just knew the rest of the table were still watching with avid interest, so I kept my stance relaxed and friendly as if were having a friendly chat.
‘Mike. You’re being an arse,’ said Sam quietly. ‘Jess and I are just getting on with it. Why can’t you do the same? If it’s a problem for you, it’s your problem, mate. Not mine.’ He dropped a kiss on my temple. ‘See you later.’ Turning his back on his friend,