that a ten-year affair would most successfully be orchestrated if he worked with the person. Her mind looped continually in suspicious circles.
There were many glamorous women at Harrison & Peters. Deanna had met them all. Which one was Tom’s mistress? She wondered if there were office rumours about Tom and his lover. In which case, had the staff pitied Deanna? After all, the wife was usually the last person to know.
Deanna had played the part of indispensable corporate wife so many times over the years. Tom’s colleagues, even clients, had repeatedly been entertained in their home. Many a time she’d cooked up a storm in the kitchen producing delicious meals beautifully presented, while Tom did what he was good at – showing off and delivering largesse.
Then there had been the annual summer event which had always taken place at the Harrison’s private grounds. Rounders and a delicious barbecue. A marquee. Drinks. Circulating waiters and waitresses. Tom had always employed caterers for this occasion. There were too many people for Deanna to cook for. Apart from anything else, he’d expected his wife to smile and mingle.
She’d done her best but always felt so dowdy and boring against a business backdrop of vibrant energy. Good-looking men and long-legged women dressed for the sunshine in t-shirts and shorts. They’d all raced around the pitch, looking not unlike models in an outdoor photoshoot, thoroughly invested in the competitiveness of the game.
Deanna had hated every moment and attempted to blend in with the scenery. Her bulk had hampered her from running, as had the tent-like maxi dress worn to hide fat ankles.
All the female staff had a crush on Tom. When you were married to a man with film star looks, flirtatious women went with the territory. Deanna had studied them all, particularly when the signs were apparent. Once, in the space of a week, Tom had bought her Louboutin shoes, a Mulberry handbag, and surprised her with dinner at their favourite restaurant.
Tom had introduced Deanna to Jade Ferguson in the same casual way as he had to everyone else. There had been no lingering glances on his part. No cornering Jade for whispered endearments. Zero special treatment.
Jade Ferguson had reacted to Tom in the same way as every other woman present. Eyes tracking his every movement, apart from when they’d been on stalks staring at the magnificent manor Deanna shared with Tom. Jade had openly gawped at the tennis court and swimming pool. Everyone, at some point, had made an excuse to go inside and use the loo but really to peek at the house.
Deanna recalled how she’d once slipped away, desperate to escape the endless small talk that tied her tongue in knots. She’d sought refuge in her bedroom and been surprised to find Jade Ferguson in there. The young woman hadn’t missed a beat.
‘I’m so sorry, I’ve lost my way. I was looking for the bathroom. The one downstairs was engaged.’
‘That’s okay,’ Deanna had replied. ‘Our bedroom has an en-suite. You’re welcome to use it.’
Jade had looked momentarily startled.
‘This is yours and Tom’s bedroom?’ she’d queried.
Deanna had been surprised at the question.
‘Er… yes.’ Just because she was so ordinary, did that exempt her from sharing her handsome husband’s bed? ‘Why do you look so astonished?’ she’d boldly asked.
Jade had quickly recovered and attempted humour.
‘I could’ve sworn Tom said your house was so huge that everyone had two bedrooms each.’
Deanna had politely laughed along with Jade. After all, that was exactly the sort of boastful remark Tom would have made about their home.
But later, much later, Deanna had revisited that scenario and put it under a microscope, replaying Jade’s body language and facial expressions. Rather than provide answers, it had instead raised further questions:
Had Jade been shocked at discovering Tom and Deanna shared a bed because he’d lied that he and Deanna slept apart? Had Tom pretended his marriage was without intimacy? Was that why Jade had also looked briefly enraged… because she’d realised that Tom lied not just to his wife but also to his mistress?
‘Your PA is very pleasant,’ Deanna had later said to Tom.
‘Yes,’ he’d agreed. ‘Jade is an asset to the firm. She does a good job. Never flaps. Unlike most of the other women there,’ he’d added, before regaling Deanna with some behind-the-scenes situations which had deflected her attention and made her giggle and gasp.
Tom hadn’t dwelt on discussing Jade. There had been no mentionitis which, in the past, had been another big clue of a female on