He’d been surprised to get a call from Layla. She only ever really spoke to him when Donnie was around. She had been short on the phone, saying that she’d wanted to speak to him and asked if she could meet him. Steff had offered to go to the house, but Layla had refused, instead asking to meet in a more neutral spot. The café at the other side of the bridge was perfect, she’d said. Steff was on his way there now, wondering what on Earth Layla could possibly want to ask him. He smiled at the thought of being alone with her. He wondered if, on some level, she knew about how he felt for her, and perhaps that was why she was asking to meet. Wishful thinking on his part, he knew that. But just for a moment, he allowed his mind to wander to that place where he’d tell her how he felt and she’d admit to him that she felt the same.
Steff pulled into the car park at the back of the café and saw Layla’s car. She was already inside and, knowing her, she’d have ordered him a coffee for his arrival. Killing the engine, he glanced in the visor mirror, checking his hair and teeth. Stepping out of the car, he went into the café, and he saw Layla sitting at a table in the back corner. Like she didn’t want to be seen.
‘Hey,’ he said, approaching the table.
‘Hi Steff. I got you a coffee.’
He glanced down and smiled. He’d been right. He often thought that he knew Layla better than Donnie did. By the look on her face, Steff was beginning to piece together why she’d asked to see him. She wasn’t there to declare that she loved him at all, like he did her. And this wasn’t a social call either. This was serious.
‘Cheers,’ Steff replied, taking a seat opposite her, trying to hide his disappointment. Just like he had tried to hide his disappointment on the morning of her wedding to Donnie. He’d gone to the hotel room to see her, while Donnie waited down in the bar with the rest of the guests. She’d been quiet that day and confessed that she’d been thinking about Kerry, her sister, and wondered what she’d make of the wedding to Donnie since she’d made it perfectly clear that she’d hated him. That was four years ago. Been together twenty, married for four. Their whole adult lives together, and Steff had had to stand back and watch his brother live out the life that he should have been living.
Steff had hoped that Layla hadn’t actually wanted to marry Donnie and that when it came to it, she wouldn’t go through with it. He’d wanted her to turn and run, and for Steff to go after her and make her see that he was the one she should be with. But he’d kept his thoughts to himself. Maybe if he’d said something, actually told her how he felt, the wedding would never have gone ahead. He hadn’t had the balls to speak out. Never had done when it came to going against his brother Donnie. To do so would be to go against the entire family. He couldn’t do that.
They’d had a moment that day, he and Layla. Just the two of them in that hotel room, Layla standing in her wedding dress, looking more beautiful than he’d ever seen her, sadder than he’d ever seen her. She’d promised him she was sad about Kerry, not about marrying Donnie. She loved Donnie, always had. Hearing those words that day hurt, and they still did.
‘So, what can I do for you?’ Steff asked, pushing the memories out of his head and lifting the coffee mug.
‘I want to ask you something in confidence, and I want an honest answer. No bullshitting me because he’s your brother, Steff.’
Steff nodded, trying to look as though he had no idea what she was on about. But he knew fine well the question that was about to come out of her mouth, because he knew what Donnie was getting up to with that young thing, Louise.
‘Is my husband having an affair?’
He detected a crack in her voice, and Steff wanted to get up and hug her. Instead, he said, ‘Why are you asking me that?’
‘It doesn’t matter why. I just need an answer.’
‘Have you seen him with someone or something?’
‘No, but something isn’t right. I know we’ve not been getting on recently but he’s more distant than he’s ever been. A married couple can go through hard times, of course. But he’s changed. He’s not the man I married. His behaviour, his mannerisms. It’s like he doesn’t care about me anymore.’
Steff knew all about it because Donnie had talked to him. Layla’s drinking was getting worse, her behaviour when she was drunk was unbearable. Again, Steff kept his counsel.
‘To my knowledge, he’s not having an affair.’
Layla’s eyes fixed on his, glazed and heavy. ‘You’re lying.’
Steff spat out a laugh. ‘I swear, I don’t know anything about Donnie having an affair. I promise. I wouldn’t lie to you, Layla. We’ve been friends for too many years to do that. You’re family.’
‘Not blood, though. And your loyalties lie with my husband. I get it, I do. I don’t know why I thought you’d tell me the truth.’
Steff sighed, put down his coffee mug. ‘I promise, I’m not lying.’
And he wasn’t. Donnie wasn’t having an affair with Louise. He was getting her ready for business. Drawing her in so close that she would fall for every word, trust everything about him.
‘I don’t believe you, Steff. Of course you’re going to lie for him. You’ve got more loyalty towards him than me, so I do get it. But I have to know the truth.’
Steff waited for a moment before responding. He didn’t want to cause her any more upset or uncertainty. He said the only thing he could think of that wouldn’t sound like denial or as though he was covering for his brother.
‘If you don’t believe me, then why don’t you keep a closer eye on him? That way, you’ll be able to see for yourself.’
Her expression softened then. ‘You mean, follow him?’
Steff shrugged. ‘Why not? If you say you think I’m lying, and you’re convinced that Donnie is at it with someone else behind your back, then what other option do you have?’
Layla sat back, took a sip of coffee and seemed to ponder over Steff’s suggestion. He held back a smile, knowing that he had Layla right where he wanted her.