Once James is out of the way, I start deciding what I’m going to take with me to New York. I texted Miles my details, and he sent me the flight details in return. Now all I need to do is pack and tell James I’m heading off for a week and all is good.
As I’m pacing, the front doorbell rings and I’m annoyed. Bother, I really wanted the time to get everything organised today and now this will set me back.
However, my face lights up when I see Arabella standing outside and I say happily, “Hey, do you fancy a coffee?”
She nods gratefully and follows me inside and I say lightly, “I haven’t seen you for ages. How’s the job going?”
“Great. I never envisioned I’d enjoy it as much as I do. The people are amazing and I’ve settled in really well.”
I hand her the coffee and say with envy. “At least you have a purpose. I’m chained to the kitchen sink most days.”
Arabella nods because she knows only too well what it’s like caring for a husband who foots all the bills. “Why don’t you get a job then?”
“Perhaps I should. To be honest, I need something because life is getting stale. James is always working and even when he is here, he’s shut away in his study doing more work, probably. I’ve tried to get him to relax, but he’s so far gone he’s a lost cause.”
Arabella nods. “Anthony has always been a bit like that. He has always worked hard, but when he came home, I was always his top priority. The trouble is, ever since it all went wrong, he’s been so cold and acting as if it’s all my fault.”
“Your fault! How did he work that one out?”
“I’m not sure. Even my new job appeared to anger him. He even invited my parents who I can’t stand and spent more time with them than me. I’m at a loss as to what I’ve done wrong and now he won’t even speak to me.”
I stare at her in surprise because it’s common knowledge that Arabella was always the luckiest one of us. A good-looking husband who was successful and famous. Classic good looks and an effortless style. More money than most and an exquisite home, bang up to date and on-trend. I always envied Arabella, we all did and now that has changed for the worse.
I smile sympathetically and say, “How is Anthony? Is there any news on his operation?”
“No, but then again, how would I know? He never talks to me and is just plain rude when I try. Then there’s that hotel invoice I found. It’s made me mistrustful and I’ve been rifling through his pockets at every opportunity, hoping to find some sort of evidence. To be honest, Miranda, I’m at my wit’s end and now Fleur’s away I have no one to turn to.”
I grab her hand and say warmly, “You’ve got me and Venetia, so why don’t we all get together and get everything off our chests? Venetia and I went drinking the other night, and it was the best night I’ve had in ages.”
I feel bad when Arabella looks a little put out and says shortly, “Why wasn’t I invited?”
I’m a little embarrassed because it’s common knowledge she doesn’t have any money now but that aside, we should have invited her. Some friends we turned out to be and I say apologetically, “I’m sorry, we didn’t think.”
Shrugging, she looks around and says kindly, “Your house is always so interesting, Miranda.”
It makes me want to laugh because if she had said dull and interesting, that would have been a better description. “It’s James’s taste, not mine. He likes the old school look whereas I much prefer yours and Fleurs. Even Venetia’s home is more up to date than mine, and she hardly spends any money on it.”
Arabella nods. “Yes, I’ve always wondered why. It’s very sparsely furnished, almost as if they can’t agree on a theme.”
I laugh. “They probably can’t and from what she told me the other night; they can’t agree on anything.”
Arabella looks shocked and I say sadly, “Yes, Venetia and Matthew are struggling in much the same way as the rest of us. Only Fleur has a different set of problems. Do you know how she is, by the way?”
“She called last night and told me she was staying for another week. She asked me to water the plants, which I am glad to do.”
“Where is she staying?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. All she said was that it was an old friend. She probably needed to clear her head and create some distance from the situation. It must be hard living in that huge house with all the memories of Anton everywhere.”
I nod, a little uncomfortable at the mention of Anton. Now I’ve done it, I feel terrible at stealing his watch and wonder if I should try to buy it back. I’ve still got a few weeks before Jake sells it. Hearing Arabella express so much concern and sympathy for our friend makes me feel like a terrible human being, so I decide immediately to go and buy back the watch. I’ll have to sell something in the safe to raise the money – but what?
Then an idea forms in my mind and like a fungus, it starts to spread and grow. That’s it, the solution to everything. Why didn’t I think of it before – its pure genius.
I almost can’t wait for Arabella to leave so I can plan it all out. This could be the end for James and me and the beginning of something amazing with Miles. What I have planned will set me free and pay back Fleur for what I stole. Brilliant.