Rogue in Porcelain by Anthea Fraser

Ro. She even asked if she was interrupting anything.’
    The kettle shrilled and Rona turned to pour the tea. Behind her, Lindsey went on speaking.
    â€˜At first, I was just relieved we’d managed to get away with it, but I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I’ve been thinking of her all afternoon.’
    Rona put two mugs on the table and sat down opposite her. ‘Go on.’
    â€˜After lunch I went to Jonathan’s office to collect some files, and he was so bloody cool about it. He even put an arm round me and said, “To continue where we left off . . .”. And I realized I’d been burying my head in the sand, aiding and abetting him in his sordid little affair, while all the time he’d been playing the perfect husband.’
    â€˜Did you tell him any of this?’
    â€˜I tried to, but he wasn’t having any. He said I’d had a fright, that was all, and I’d soon recover my balance, and Carol didn’t suspect a thing. As though that would make me feel better! Then he actually said, “It adds a bit of spice to it, don’t you think? Like that time your mother came to your flat while we were in bed.” She flashed a glance at Rona. ‘I told you about that. I just couldn’t believe how unfeeling he was.’
    She took a sip of the scalding tea. ‘What’s wrong with me, Ro? Why can’t I find someone like Max and settle down, instead of lurching from man to man like this?’
    â€˜Because you’re a poor judge of men; I’ve always said so. But you told me Jonathan wouldn’t last much longer, so why the histrionics? Here’s the ideal chance to cut your losses. Anyway, I thought you’d found someone else?’
    â€˜Wrong on both counts: What I said was that the thing with Jonathan wasn’t long- lasting , but I certainly didn’t expect it to end this soon. And I haven’t found someone, I’ve seen him, that’s all. Nothing may come of it.’
    â€˜You seemed pretty confident last time we spoke.’
    â€˜Only because I usually get my way,’ Lindsey said bitterly.
    There was a brief silence. ‘Do I gather Jonathan doesn’t want to end it?’ Rona hazarded.
    â€˜Oh no, he’s perfectly happy with his bit on the side. He’s convinced I’ll get over my pangs of conscience.’
    â€˜Well, mind you don’t. Think how you’d feel if she had caught you, and you were responsible for the break-up of her marriage. Heaven knows, I never thought I’d say this, but why don’t you just stick to Hugh? At least he has no other commitments.’ She paused. ‘ Are you going to Guildford with him this weekend?’
    â€˜I might as well, mightn’t I? It could help me sort myself out. I might even take your advice, though both parents would have a stroke if Hugh and I got back together.’
    â€˜Well, there were plenty of pieces to pick up last time.’
    â€˜You won’t tell Max about this, will you? I don’t want to lower his opinion of me still further.’
    â€˜Secrets of the confessional. That’s what twins are for.’
    â€˜So.’ Lindsey blew her nose again. ‘Enough about me; what have you been up to?’
    Rona smiled. ‘Today, I had lunch with two attractive, unattached men.’
    Lindsey gave a brief laugh. ‘Some people have all the luck,’ she said.
    Rona didn’t mention her sister’s visit when Max and Gus returned shortly after Lindsey’d left. It would have been impossible to do so without giving some reason for it, and she’d plenty to tell him about her trip to Chilswood.
    â€˜So what are they like, en famille ?’ Max asked, pouring them both a drink.
    â€˜They seemed very pleasant, even if they have antediluvian ideas about women.’
    Max grinned. ‘ Kinde, kurche, küche ?’
    â€˜Pretty much, but they didn’t like me commenting on it.