and I could walk away from each other tomorrow, and there would be no problems. There wouldn’t be any need to consult a solicitor or spend a fortune on legal fees. We wouldn’t have to provide affidavits in some court of law stating why we wanted to divorce. Simple.’
‘You bought a house together,’ said Ben. ‘It’s jointly owned. That’s a commitment in itself.’
‘Ah, but not the same as a having a marriage certificate,’ said Charlie, wagging a finger at Ben. ‘In the conveyancing contract there was definitely no clause that said, “Till death us do part.” I know, because I read it from start to finish. And anyway, enough about me and Willow because this conversation is about you and… you and…’
Charlie prompted Ben to provide the girl’s name.
‘Oh no you don’t. You’re not catching me out. Her name is my secret.’
‘You’re being ridiculous.’
‘No, I’m not. Anyway, you’re right about the rebound thing. If Anna and I split – and I really think we need to – then I want some emotional space before pursuing another relationship. I want to be sure it’s the real deal.’
‘Excellent’ – Charlie clapped his hands together – ‘which is even more reason to get your leg over this weekend.’
‘Oh bog off, Charlie,’ said Ben, but without rancour. ‘I will never understand why you are so duplicitous to Willow.’
Which was precisely why Charlie had never confided in Ben about Kev. It was one thing to have the occasional one-night stand in Birmingham and for Ben to judge Charlie as a bit of a lad now and again. It was quite another to have a regular lover on your doorstep. Charlie wasn’t up for his best mate diminishing him from likely lad to contemptible cad.
‘Just saying,’ Charlie shrugged.
‘Well don’t. You worry about your own love life, and I’ll worry about mine.’
‘I don’t have any worries about my love life,’ said Charlie glibly. ‘None at all.’
Which wasn’t strictly true. Because even as he uttered those words, a part of his brain was already pondering how to extricate himself from Kev’s manicured claws.
Ten
At a little after five thirty, Charlie grabbed his jacket, left the office and, like an ant re-joining its army, entered ranks with the swift-moving crowd striding towards Kings Cross station.
Jogging past those who’d chosen to stand on the right, he took the steps of the escalator two at a time. Brandishing his travel card, he pushed through the turnstile and ran along the platform just as a guard blew his whistle. Charlie hurtled through the train’s open doors with all the exuberance of a marathon runner crossing the finishing line. Perfect timing! The doors shut with a soft hiss. Seconds later the carriage began to gently rock as the 17:34 headed south towards Ebbsfleet International.
Moving along the aisle, Charlie flopped down on a vacant seat. Resting his briefcase on his thighs, he closed his eyes. He needed to concentrate on what he was going to say to Kev.
He was reluctant to go inside her house because it put him at a psychological disadvantage. After all, it was her territory. However, he could hardly conduct the conversation he wanted to have in his own home. Not with Willow around. Or even not with Willow around. He just couldn’t risk it. The very thought of that made him feel twitchy and, if another commuter had chosen that moment to look at Charlie, they would have seen his body give an involuntary jerk.
The train shot into a tunnel, and Charlie’s thoughts began to drift as he entered that half-way place between wakefulness and nodding off. In his mind’s eye he saw himself ringing Kev’s doorbell. A moment later and she was standing before him. Suddenly everything was like an old black-and-white movie.
Her: Charlie Bear!
Him: Heyyy.
Her: Come in.
(Door gently click shuts. Charlie remains standing in hallway.)
Him: I’ll come straight to the point. This has got to stop.
Her: Oh.
Him: It’s not going anywhere. It can’t go anywhere.
Her: (Sad but understanding.) You’re right.
Him: (Gives her full benefit of his baby blues which convey perfect mix of sympathy and regret.) What we had was wonderful.
Her: (Tearful but not enough to wreck mascara.) I will never forget you.
Him: Likewise. You will always be here. (Touches heart.)
Her: Oh Charlie Bear. You’re so romantic.
Him: I know.
Her: Thank God Willow never found out. (Snatches hand back and presses fingers to temples.) I love her like a sister.
Him: Our secret is safe. (Embraces her tightly.) What we did was wrong, but by ending it now we’re making