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  ‘Please?’

  ‘Come on, Neve,’ he said as he breathed hard and lifted his groin against her. ‘Don’t spoil it now.’

  ‘Don’t you spoil it,’ she said, leaning forward and kissing him while at the same time, attempting to move his hand away from the bedside cabinet.

  ‘Not fair,’ said Kit, suddenly pulling away and in one movement he managed to flip Neve over onto her back so he was astride her. ‘Condom or we don’t pass go.’ Kit pulled open the drawer and took out a condom. ‘Take it or leave it.’

  ‘You arrogant bastard,’ said Neve, pushing him to one side and spinning round on the bed. She grabbed her clothes and stomped off to the bathroom. ‘Sort yourself out. I’m taking a shower.’

  Neve slammed the door on him. She turned on the shower to full blast, before stepping under the pounding water and scrubbing her skin with the soap and loofah.

  Take it or leave it! Who did he think he was?

  Chapter 11

  Despite Neve’s parting comment to sort himself out, any desire on Kit’s part had well and truly disappeared. He sat on the edge of the bed and picked up his phone. He’d been unusually indecisive about his next move, but after what just happened, he felt justified.

  Kit didn’t use Facebook for personal stuff, it wasn’t his style, but he couldn’t run the business Facebook page without a personal profile. As it happened, that personal profile was about to come in handy.

  It only took him a few minutes to locate the right Scott Tansley after checking his profile, which Scott had been kind enough to complete with his place of birth, his education and where he was living now. It all tied in with the tiny bits of info he had gleaned from Neve over the years.

  Scott was obviously a sharer in life, his privacy settings were probably the most lax possible. Kit was able to navigate his way through all of Scott’s photographs and, just out of curiosity, Kit had a quick look at the friends list too. Neve wasn’t on there which didn’t surprise Kit at all. That would go against the grain of keeping her past in the past.

  Kit decided to send Scott a message, even though they weren’t friends. He had a vague notion that Scott would still be able to see the message despite the lack of friendship. He hoped it would pique Scott’s interest sufficiently to open the message and reply.

  Hi, I’m Neve’s husband. Wondered if you could spare five minutes. Thanks.

  He left it short and sweet. There was no point going into detail if the bloke wasn’t interested in talking to him.

  Kit left his phone on the side and took a shower. He could do without having to go for dinner with the Harrisons, but it had been in the diary for several weeks now and Gary Harrison had been making noises about investing some cash into a boat. There was the potential to make a decent chunk of profit if Kit was able to persuade him to buy the new Sunseeker. Gary wasn’t a sailing or boating enthusiast, he was all about the image, something which Kit was prepared to overlook in the name of profit.

  Having showered and dressed, Kit checked his phone and was surprised to see Scott Tansley had already replied.

  Hi. What’s this about?

  Well, that was to the point. Kit tapped out a reply.

  Bit delicate. Neve’s struggling with things at the moment. Needed a bit of help joining up the dots.

  Kit pressed send and kept the message open. He watched as three pulsating dots appeared below. Scott was obviously keen to know what it was all about.

  What do you want to know exactly?

  You and Neve used to hang out with a group of friends. Megan and Ashley? Neve said what happened, just wanted to know your take on it.

  OK, that wasn’t exactly the truth, but Kit had to be clever here.

  All that was another lifetime ago. I wasn’t there when it happened. It’s no secret that I thought Ash was involved somehow. He’s trouble. He’s like the proverbial bad penny. I’m sorry to hear Neve is still struggling with it all. Her and Megan were so close.

  Kit studied the string of messages. He really wasn’t getting the info he needed. Something had clearly happened which involved the four of them, but other than that, he was none the wiser. Scott wasn’t giving anything away. Kit tried a different approach.

  Any chance we could meet face to face? It’s tricky over messenger.

  I don’t know. Not sure it’s a good idea.

  I’d really appreciate it. I want to help Neve. She’s really falling apart over it. Please? I wouldn’t ask but I’m desperate. I could drive to you.

  Several minutes passed without any reply from Scott. Kit wondered if he had over-egged it. Although, to be fair, what he’d said wasn’t a million miles from the truth. He dressed and was just splashing some aftershave on, when the message notification pinged on his phone.

  Don’t want to meet but I’ll talk to you on the phone. Ring me on messenger tomorrow morning at ten.

  Cheers, mate. Appreciate that.

  Kit felt pleased with the outcome of what was a rather speculative message and congratulated himself on his success. Perhaps now he would finally know the secrets Neve held and he could then decide how he was going to use this information to (a) understand her better (b) to satisfy his desire to know everything there was to know about her and (c) to know as much, if not more, than the fucking art tutor. He hated the thought of Jake knowing more about Neve than he did.

  Chapter 12

  Neve finished showering and reluctantly went back into their bedroom to get ready for dinner. As much as Kit had thoroughly annoyed her, she wasn’t about to stand the Harrisons up, not only would it be embarrassing for Kit, but she’d make a fool of herself too. Kit was sitting on the edge of the bed, already dressed, looking at his phone. Despite being angry with him, Neve couldn’t help admitting to herself how handsome he looked. Dressed in an open shirt and chinos, he looked casual and sexy in the way only Kit seemed to.

  ‘Heather texted to say Poppy was happy. That her and Libby have eaten tea and are now watching a film,’ said Kit, as he walked past her into the en suite to hang up his towel.

  ‘Heather texted you?’ asked Neve, surprised that her friend was messaging Kit.

  ‘No, she texted you,’ came Kit’s voice from the en suite.

  ‘You looked at my phone?’ Neve scanned the bedroom and spotted her phone on Kit’s bedside table.

  ‘You were in the shower. I heard it go off and knowing Poppy’s not here, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t urgent.’ Kit came back in to the bedroom. ‘What’s up, anyway? You got something to hide?’

  Neve snatched up her phone and read the text message, hoping Kit wouldn’t notice her shaking hand. ‘Of course I haven’t got anything to hide. It’s just rude, that’s all. You wouldn’t like it if I started reading your messages.’

  ‘Wouldn’t bother me in the slightest, actually.’ Kit took his jacket out of the wardrobe. ‘Hurry up and get ready. We’ve got to be at the restaurant in forty minutes.’

  They drove in silence, Kit turning the music up loud in the small TT car. Normally, he would take his Mercedes but when it was just the two of them, he liked to take the little sports car. Poppy was too big now to sit comfortably in the back so they didn’t often get the chance.

  They pulled up outside the restaurant. ‘You could try looking a little happier,’ said Kit, as he cut the engine. ‘Try smiling.’

  Neve turned to him and gave her best sarcastic smile. ‘There, is that better?’

  ‘Grow up,’ said Kit, rather wearily. He got out of the car and walked around to open the door for her, but Neve still wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of showing off to everyone watching from the restaurant window. She opened the door before he got there and climbed out, ignoring his outstretched hand.

  She was rewarded for her small display of petulance by Kit taking her firmly by the elbow.

  ‘You’re hurting me,’ she complained, trying to move her arm free.

  ‘Sorry, darling,’ said Kit, immediately releasing his grip and instead gui
ded her through the doorway with his hand resting in the dip of her back. A gesture that Neve had always adored, but tonight, she found no comfort from. She knew he was forcing himself not to be angry with her, mainly for the sake of keeping up appearances while they were out. ‘There’s Gary and Julia over there,’ said Kit.

  Gary rose as they were shown to the table. ‘Kit,’ he said, shaking hands with him. ‘Ah, Neve, hello. How are you?’ Gary kissed her on both cheeks and then openly looked her up and down. ‘You look gorgeous as ever. So beautiful.’

  Neve gave a small laugh, feeling uncomfortable under Gary’s gaze.

  ‘What’s the saying about beauty only being skin deep?’ said Kit, greeting Julia in a similar fashion as Neve had been greeted by Gary, minus the roving eye.

  ‘Oh, I’m sure Neve’s beauty is far more than skin deep,’ said Gary, holding the chair for her to sit down.

  ‘Oh, of course,’ said Kit. ‘I think Neve’s perfect, but then I am biased.’ He smiled one of his winning smiles at Neve, who made an effort not to return it. She looked over at Julia.

  ‘That’s a lovely dress you have on. I love the colour.’ It was true, Julia was wearing the most gorgeous turquoise dress. It reminded Neve of Megan and how she had loved to wear bold vibrant colours, unlike Neve, who preferred a more pastel palette.

  By the time the meal was over, Neve was more than ready to go home. Sitting next to Gary and listening to him and Kit play one-upmanship and then listening to Julia bleat on about the PTA she was now chair of and how things needed shaking up and that she was the person to do it, Neve had had about as much as she could stomach.

  She checked her phone but there were no messages from Heather, which meant that Poppy was perfectly fine. It was one occasion when Neve half wished Poppy was having a moment and wanted to be picked up. Then she scolded herself for thinking such a thought. It was a comfort to know that Poppy was happy where she was. It gave Poppy a sense of normality in her off-kilter world. Heather was an absolute angel and was so patient, Neve couldn’t have hoped for a better friend. She considered herself lucky that Poppy and Libby had become such good friends.

  ‘Everything OK?’ asked Kit, nodding towards her mobile phone.

  ‘Yep. No news is good news,’ said Neve. She turned away from Kit and pretended to listen intently to Julia who was now talking about the flower arranging at the church. Neve wondered if Julia had stepped out of the 1940s. Any minute now she’d be telling Neve how she’d invited the vicar over for high tea.

  Finally, it was time to leave and Neve had to stop herself from practically grabbing the keys from Kit’s hand and wheel-spinning away like a getaway driver.

  ‘What’s up with you?’ asked Kit, as he got in the car beside her and switched on the ignition.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You were out of there like an Olympic athlete. Where’s the fucking fire? Bit embarrassing.’

  ‘Sorry. I’m tired and want to get home.’

  Kit pulled away and they drove in silence, reaching home some fifteen minutes later. Once inside, Kit back-heeled the door closed and dropped his keys onto the hall table. ‘Come here,’ he said.

  Immediately, Neve tensed. She could tell from the drop in octave of his voice that he was turned on and wanted sex. She thought of earlier and how nice it had been at the start. Full of such promise. He pushed her up against the wall and kissed her roughly, sliding his hand up her thigh, taking her skirt with his hand as he did so.

  Despite her earlier protestations of being tired, Neve once again found her body taking over and the desire blotting out any rational thought that she was still cross with him.

  Kit lifted her up and she hooked her legs around him, returning the kisses he was smothering her with.

  ‘Upstairs,’ muttered Kit, putting Neve down. Holding her hand, he took her upstairs to the bedroom where only a few hours earlier they had been in the same situation.

  Neve peeled off her dress and lay on the bed in her matching lacy underwear. She couldn’t help the physical attraction she felt for her husband.

  ‘Do you want me?’ said Kit, standing at the end of the bed, as he unbuttoned his shirt.

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Say it.’ Kit held her gaze with his deep blue eyes.

  Neve was sure that if she had been standing, her legs would have given way. ‘I want you.’ She stretched out her hand to him. She so wanted him. She wanted him back. She wanted ‘them’ back. Perhaps they weren’t too far from reach after all. Perhaps if she really worked, really tried, she could put the unhappiness behind them. Maybe if they got back to the strong stable marriage they once had, then maybe they could talk about children again. Maybe she’d just handled it all wrong in the first place. Neve stared intently back at Kit and couldn’t deny the feeling of love and hope that surged through her.

  ‘You really want me?’ he asked.

  ‘I really want you,’ she replied.

  ‘Well, you know what it’s like to want then,’ said Kit. His smile downgraded itself to a sneer. Kit rebuttoned his shirt. ‘You’re not the only one who can take it or leave it.’ It was Kit’s turn to leave Neve lying on the bed as he walked out of the room.

  Neve could hear the door to his study open and close behind him.

  She felt the heat of embarrassment flare up in her face. He had totally humiliated her. Just when she thought there was hope of turning their situation around, he had brutally snatched it from her and stomped it into the ground with his heel.

  Who did he think he was? Full of his own importance. Treating her like she was some hooker he’d picked up from the street. No. It was worse than that, she reasoned. He would shag the prostitute. His male ego and pride wouldn’t let him not.

  In exasperation Neve rolled over and pummelled the pillow with her fists. There had to be an answer to all this. There had to be.

  Chapter 13

  When Kit woke the next morning, it took him a moment to realise he wasn’t in his own bed, but on the sofa bed in his study. He groaned as he remembered why he was there.

  What a complete and utter idiot he had been last night. He sat up and swung his legs off the bed, planting his feet on the floor. He’d been pissed off with Neve for storming out of the art studio yesterday. It had been embarrassing. Especially so in front of Jake. He’d seen the way Jake had looked at Neve. The bloke definitely had the hots for her.

  Last night he had still been smarting from Neve’s walk-off stunt in the bedroom and turning the tables on her had seemed justified. He didn’t like to use the word revenge, but it was loitering there in the background. In truth, his male ego had taken a battering and he’d wanted to give Neve a taste of her own medicine.

  As Kit showered in the main bathroom, he thought back to yesterday at the art studio. There had been an intimacy between his wife and Jake and Kit hadn’t missed the look which had passed between them. One look lasting the briefest of moments said so many things. They shared a secret that Kit wasn’t party to and they were worried he’d find it out. In Kit’s eyes, that could only mean one thing. Neve was having an affair.

  Kit turned the shower onto pulsate, enjoying the pummelling of the water on the back of his neck and across his shoulders. He was tense. Had been for a while now. Too much work and he’d taken his eye off things at home.

  He knew carrying on in this macho, bullish way wasn’t going to win Neve over. He had to try a different approach. Once he’d spoken to Scott later that morning, he would hopefully have a better idea of what was going on in his wife’s head.

  By the time Neve joined him downstairs, he was cooking a full English breakfast; the bacon was sizzling away in the pan and the sausages under the grill.

  ‘Good morning,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘Just in time for the house special.’ He gave a little laugh and winked at her. A private innuendo they had long shared about one of them being the tasty dish of the day. A joke which would normally elicit a giggle or at the very least a knowi
ng smile from his wife. This morning though, Neve didn’t appear amused.

  ‘Morning,’ she said, sitting down on the other side of the centre island.

  Kit went over and slipped his arms around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘Shall we forget about last night? I’m sorry for arguing.’

  Neve took a moment to respond. ‘Is that an apology for what you did or just for arguing?’

  Kit reined in a sigh. He was going to have to work at this. He nuzzled her neck. ‘Sorry for both,’ he said. ‘I was a complete dickhead.’

  Her shoulders relaxed. ‘I suppose I was too, earlier on. Sorry.’

  ‘I guess I’ve been a bit wound up and leaving you like that, well, I know it was a stupid and immature thing to do. Tit for tat. Bloody stupid. I feel a bit of an idiot this morning. Am I forgiven?’

  Neve promoted her earlier begrudging response to one of more sincerity. ‘Sure, let’s have a better day.’

  Kit kissed her again. ‘Good stuff. Now, what time are we picking Poppy up? I want to get out on the boat today.’

  ‘I said I’d get her mid-morning. I’ve got to pop to the shop as well to get a couple of things. Shouldn’t take too long at all.’

  ‘Perfect,’ said Kit, thinking how it couldn’t be working out better. If he got a shift on with breakfast, Neve would be out doing whatever it was she had to do while he phoned Scott. He gave Neve a smile. ‘Right, breakfast, here we go.’

  Neve finally headed off at five to ten, with Kit watching from the door to make sure she went. At ten on the dot, Kit opened the Facebook messenger app and called Scott.

  ‘Hel-lo. Scott here.’

  The voice sounded older and thinner than Kit expected. It also sounded wary. Kit needed to put Scott at his ease if he was going to find out anything useful.

  ‘Hi, Scott, it’s Kit Masters here. Thanks very much for taking my call.’

  ‘I haven’t got long,’ said Scott. ‘I’m supposed to be taking my daughter swimming soon.’