but it’s the one right opposite the bicycle hire. I know how to get there,’ Emma insisted.
‘Don’t you want to see the rest of the show?’
‘Nothing could top the snake on the loose.’
‘There was a snake?!’
‘You missed it.’
She nearly said you missed it because you were talking to your new girlfriend but decided that wasn’t the way to get him to agree to let her go and see her imaginary friend.
‘Alright then, love but no later than eleven,’ Mike agreed.
A thrill rode over her. Then she noticed Tasha and Melody were looking her way. They were doing that thing some of the bitches at her school did. Looking over, whispering to each other and then laughing hysterically.
‘Could I have some money?’ Emma asked her dad.
‘Well… what for, love?’
‘I just want to get some snacks too. I can’t expect to eat everything Sally’s bought and not bring anything. I thought I might take some fizzy orange too. The shop’s still open,’ Emma stated, checking her watch.
‘Alright… here’s five Euros. Will that be enough? Just trying to be a bit careful with the funds,’ Mike said, handing the note to her.
‘That’s fine, Dad. I’d better go now if I want to catch the shop. I’ll see you later.’ She picked her book up from the table and stood up.
‘No later than eleven,’ he reaffirmed.
She smiled and made her way out of the clubhouse. What sort of wine could she get with five Euros?
Chapter Nineteen
Present Day
She’d lied to Chris. Not a white lie, like pretending that she liked a new shirt that he’d bought when really it was hideous, but a big, fat, blatant lie. She’d told him she needed to spend the evening marking homework. She knew Dominic would probably tell him she’d gone out when they saw each other next, but she had a plan for that. Ally would have a relationship crisis and need a shoulder to cry on. That would make two lies. Once she had started there was no stopping. When you’d spent most of your life hiding the truth it was second nature to lie, whether you wanted it to be or not.
‘Thanks for coming over, Dad.’
She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror above the fireplace and shuddered. She’d made too much effort. She was wearing foundation, eye-shadow, eye-liner, blusher and lipstick. She hadn’t made that much effort for the fitness centre opening. She was wearing an apricot sleeveless blouse she hadn’t worn in years and a black layered skirt she last wore to the school prizegiving.
‘You look nice, love. Where did you say you were going?’ Mike asked, looking up from the TV magazine.
She hadn’t said. She would have to tell another lie.
‘To see Ally. She’s on the verge of a break-up from her latest boyfriend. He’s a pilot, works long hours and…’ Same lie. Did that count as a third?
‘He’s spending too long with one of the air hostesses,’ Dominic added.
‘Dom!’ Emma exclaimed.
‘You said!’
‘I know but you weren’t supposed to be listening.’
‘How’s the internet dating going, Grandad?’ Dominic piped up.
‘Dominic Barron!’
‘It’s going alright, Dom. Not too bad at all. I’ve got another date with Velma next week and a dinner with a new lady I’ve been instant messaging with,’ Mike replied.
‘What’s her name?’ Dominic inquired.
‘Rosemary.’
‘Bleurgh!’
‘Dom, you’re being very rude. I’m glad you don’t want Bourbons before bed,’ Emma scolded.
‘Oh, Mum!’
‘She sounds very nice in her messages and we both like the Rolling Stones,’ Mike informed them.
‘She sounds lovely, Dad,’ Emma said.
She was looking in the mirror and tweaking her hair. What was she doing tweaking her hair? What was she doing going to this restaurant to meet Guy. She’d said all she needed to say to him. Why was she torturing herself? It wasn’t going to help. It could possibly make things worse.
‘I bumped into Marilyn the other day,’ Mike stated.
‘Marilyn. Who’s that?’ Dominic chipped in.
Emma felt her hackles rise at the mention of her name. It brought back so many memories. She’d hated Marilyn. She’d been jealous and grief-stricken when they got together. She’d needed her dad’s undivided attention and she’d made sure she’d got it. She’d driven the two of them apart.
‘She’s an old friend,’ Mike elaborated for Dominic’s benefit.
‘An old girlfriend?’ Dominic asked, giggling.
‘I should go,’ Emma said, looking at her watch. She didn’t want Mike to say any more. It was enough that he’d seen her again. She didn’t want to hear whatever came next.
‘She asked after you, love. Asked all about Dominic too. I told her you were