Chapter Six
Finlay tossed his overnight bag into the boot of his car and shut it with a thud. He rolled his eyes for what had to be the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. Only someone as gullible as him would have agreed to this. Clearly he hadn’t learned his lesson. The one he’d been reminding himself about ever since the split with Elise. Hadn’t he promised himself less than an hour ago he wasn’t going to fall into anymore traps set by friends of his sister?
Yet here he was swanning off to a party with one of them. One who’d always disliked him too. Well, it was only a party. At least he wasn’t leaping into an engagement with her. Her face when she was sitting at the table on the balcony – the look in her eyes was haunting. It was odd how a mask seemed to fall away and for a moment she was bare before him: the real Genevieve, not the ice woman he’d taken her for before. And he’d pitied her. How like him. That was how it had started with Elise. He was sorry for how Aidan had treated her and wanted to help her. I never learn, do I? He was a sucker for souls in peril. He always wanted to help the struggling kids at school, save the birds caught in the strawberry nets at his mum’s house, and help lonely women who spun him a sob story.
Here we go again.
He jumped into the driver’s seat and came face to face with a semi-smiling Genevieve. It wasn’t wholly splitting her face but it was a lot softer than her usual look, warmer too. Almost like she was genuinely pleased to see him. Again, just like Elise. She’d turned on this act in the beginning too.
‘This is only a party, right?’ he said. ‘Nothing else. Yeah?’
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘What else would it be?’
‘I’m just making sure.’
‘Only a party. Let’s just enjoy it,’ she said. ‘Live in the moment and all that.’
‘You’ve brightened up pretty quickly.’
‘Must be because I’ve caught myself a handsome date for the occasion.’
‘Have you? And when’s he arriving?’ Finlay reversed out of the drive.
‘Ha ha, very funny.’ She gave him an obvious once over and it sent a weird tremor through him. He wished it didn’t… But that wasn’t the first time he’d caught her doing something like that this afternoon. Hopefully he was imagining things.
‘What are we telling people at this party?’ he asked. ‘Am I a friend? A blind date you’re never planning on seeing again? A friend’s ex-boyfriend you’re dating for revenge because she dragged you out one afternoon and then dumped you?’
She gave him a stern look. ‘None of the above, but you’re right, we need to get a story.’
‘What? Like Jack and the Beanstalk or something? Is it a bring-your-own-book party?’
She shook her head and looked like she might laugh. ‘You know what I mean.’
‘So, here’s an idea. How about we say you came around unexpectedly and didn’t want to go to the party alone, so you propositioned a guy you knew would otherwise be home alone in an empty house, and bribed him with the all-you-can-eat buffet?’
‘Er, maybe not.’
‘Well, do your parents know who I am? I mean, do they know about me and Elise? They must know Hayley.’
‘My mum might put it all together, though she doesn’t really like Elise. My dad never pays any attention to my friends and never remembers their names, but it’s not like I want you to have a fake name or identity. You can still be you.’
‘Well, that’s a relief.’
‘Sarcasm, Finlay.’ Her voice was almost a purr, and it was kind of sexy when she said his name, though he shouldn’t really be thinking stuff like that. ‘Remember, it’s beneath you.’
‘Many things are, including a fake identity. So, what kind of story are you proposing?’
‘Something about how we met, that kind of thing. We can say we haven’t been seeing each other long, then if my mum twigs who you are, she won’t think we were doing anything behind Elise’s back.’
‘Seeing each other? You want me to pretend I’ve been seeing you? What if someone there knows me other than your mum? They might think I was cheating on Elise and then I’ll look worse than I do already.’
‘Well, we can say we started seeing each other after that. I’m the rebound.’
‘Can’t I pretend to be your bodyguard and stand about eating food, stopping lechy blokes from bugging you, which is what I was originally engaged to do?’
‘They have to believe we’re together or they’ll still try to creep their way in.’
‘Are you enjoying this?’
‘What?’
‘Making up this little scene. I hope you’re not planning on filming it and putting me all over the internet as some fake date experiment.’
A grin split her face and he almost put the car off the road. Why was he looking at her and not concentrating? That smile was… Well, it suited her more than the serene indifference. ‘I wasn’t planning a fake date experiment, but it’s not a bad idea.’
‘Don’t bother. The school in Dubai I’m going to is very strict. If there’s anything even slightly against me on social media, I’m in trouble. So no cameras. Got it?’
‘Got it.’
He drove across town to her house, which was a pleasant, terraced townhouse on a new-build estate on the outskirts of Glenbriar.
‘I need to get changed and grab my bag. Oh, and I also need to get Mitzi.’
‘Who’s that?’
‘My dog.’
‘You have a dog?’
‘Yeah. She’s a French bulldog. Come and meet her. She’s so cute. She can play with Horace and Dax at my parent’s. They all get on so well.’
‘Who are Horace and Dax? I assume they’re dogs too, or are they your little brothers?’
She flashed him that million-dollar smile again – so beautiful. ‘They’re black labs.’
He got out of the car and followed her to the door.
‘I hope you’re not allergic to dogs.’
‘Oh, I am… I better go.’
‘Seriously?’
‘No.’ He shook his head and laughed. ‘I like dogs.’
‘Phew. You had me going for a moment.’
‘It’s not difficult, is it?’
‘Look who’s talking, Mr Wellington Willoughby the third.’
‘Eh?’
‘That’s your new name. For the fake identity.’
‘Oh, very good.’ He slow clapped as she opened the door.
‘Knew you’d like it.’
‘Nice house by the way.’
‘Yeah, it’s ok but I don’t actually like it that much. The view of other houses is annoying. I’d love somewhere with a view like you have.’
‘Feel free to buy my flat.’
‘Actually, that’s not a bad idea.’ She stooped down in front of him and patted her knees.
He really shouldn’t admire her backside from this position but he kind of couldn’t help it.
A scuffling and snuffling noise came from her feet and she cooed. ‘Hello, beautiful. Yes, mummy’s home and look who’s with me.’
‘Daddy?’ he suggested.
She straightened up and goggled at him. ‘That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it?’
The dog scampered out the door and sniffed around Finlay, wagging her bottom and her little stumpy tail. ‘Maybe not.’ He bent over and tickled her. She dropped onto her back, displaying her tummy and he rubbed it. ‘Definitely not.’
‘Yeah, well, we’re not sharing custody. Now, in you come, both of you. Come on.’
‘What did you say her name was?’ he asked as he entered the hallway. He blinked before taking a second look. This was like a show home. Social media perfect.
‘Mitzi. How about you wait with her in there and I’ll get ready as fast as I can?’
Fast for Genevieve was snail-pace compared to everyone else. After half an hour of playing with Mitzi, Finlay lay his head back on the sofa and sighed. Mitzi jumped up beside him and crawled onto his lap. ‘You’re a funny little thing, aren’t you?’ He tickled her and she turned to mush, sticking her legs in the air so he could rub her belly. ‘Not as odd as your owner though. What’s her deal?’ One minute so serene, then suddenly the guise slipped. Now she was bubbly and as happy as anyone going to a party. ‘Must be my natural charm,’ he muttered.
Eventually, he heard footsteps on the stairs, and a few seconds later, the door opened. He was used to seeing beautiful women, immaculately dressed – his mum, his sister, Elise. But it didn’t stop the jolt of electricity that walloped him when his eyes latched onto her.
‘Wow,’ he said. How could he help it?
‘Is that you being sarky again?’
‘Not at all. You look stunning.’
‘Thanks.’ Her cheeks bloomed and she smoothed non-existent creases from the front of her figure-hugging dark pink dress. The sweetheart neckline dipped at her rosy cleavage and the off-shoulder sleeves were like cuffs on her upper arm. Her long caramel hair tumbled around in wide, elegant waves. Yup – stunning was accurate. Utterly stunning, gorgeous, beautiful.
Take care, he warned himself. But it was nothing. He was just getting into the part. Gently lifting Mitzi off his knee, he got to his feet and approached Genevieve.
‘What are you doing?’ she said, her face slipping, her eyes suddenly filled with a different look – worry perhaps, or was it the old serenity returning?
‘Just looking.’
‘Ok, good. I thought you were going to do a practice kiss before we got there.’
‘Excuse me?’
She giggled and looked away. ‘Joke! Got you again, Mr Willoughby.’
‘Oh very funny.’ He moved closer. ‘But perhaps you might permit me…’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘To what? I’ve just done my lipstick, and…’
‘I wouldn’t presume. But how about…’ He took her hand. ‘This?’
‘You want to kiss my hand?’
‘May I?’
‘Um… Well, ok… I guess. You go ahead, Mr Willoughby.’
With a smile, he held her gaze and raised her hand. ‘Mr Willoughby sounds like a bad guy.’
She nodded and looked like she was holding her breath. ‘Yes, but they’re always… hot,’ she said, her voice slightly hoarse.
‘Hot, huh? Well, isn’t that something?’ He pressed his lips to her soft skin, still keeping his eyes on hers. What had actually got into him? This was fun but crazy mad. Just as well he was leaving the country in a few weeks.
Maybe there wasn’t any harm in a final farewell before he went.
The drive to Genevieve’s parents’ house didn’t take long. Finlay knew the road well. He often cycled in these purple hills and found new tracks down steep slopes, across streams and through rocky terrain. When they arrived at the house, he realised he’d seen it before many times from one of his favourite rides. And really it was unmissable: a custom-built eco-house in large grounds. Its design was such a bizarre mix of space-age and rustic that Finlay couldn’t remember seeing anything quite like it. It was the kind of thing that featured on Grand Designs with its own solar field and wind turbines. The living roof made it seem like the house was curling out of the ground. He drove down a steep curving drive around the back to a parking area, too awed to speak.
‘Everything ok?’ Genevieve asked.
‘This house,’ Finlay said. ‘It’s… Well, wild.’
‘I told you I’m a renewables guru. This is why. My dad is the king of green. Even the house is called Greenacres. It’s kind of a theme.’
‘Wow.’ Finlay got out of the car, glancing around. A lot of other cars were parked in the car park but no other people were about. ‘Are we very late?’
‘Yes.’ Genevieve checked her phone. ‘But don’t worry. It goes on all day. My mum has replied to the message I sent earlier. She hopes everything’s ok.’
‘She’s going to get a surprise any moment. When you turn up with Herr Van McHoover or whatever my name is now.’
Genevieve grinned and strolled around the car to meet him. ‘I’m starting to regret this. You better behave.’
‘No chance.’
‘Not even for all the salmon blinis you can eat and prosecco on tap?’
He moved his head from side to side, weighing the idea. ‘That might work.’
‘Let me get Mitzi out. We can leave her with the boys before we go in.’
‘Are they somewhere else?’
‘They have a kennel and a run for when my parents are out or busy. They’ll get back in later when it has calmed down a bit.’
Kennels and a run conjured an image of a shed and an area fenced around with chicken wire… But this. Finlay goggled at the large space with a building more like a garden office than a doghouse. ‘Pampered pooches these, aren’t they?’
‘Of course.’ Genevieve smiled, and Mitzi tugged on her lead, desperate to get to her friends. Two black labs appeared at the fence wagging their tails wildly and panting with big slobbery smiles. ‘Hey, boys,’ Genevieve said, and their tail-wagging approached somewhere around a hundred miles per hour. Mitzi zoomed forward and started jumping up at the other side, her paws scrabbling on the mesh.
‘Someone’s happy,’ Finlay said.
Genevieve moved to the door and unbolted it. The two labs bounded up and by the time she’d fully opened the door, their noses were in position, ready to sniff all over Mitzi. Giggling, Genevieve unclipped Mitzi and gave all three dogs a pat before closing the doors.
‘I guess I’m not going to be missed.’ She hung up Mitzi’s lead on the outside of the door and they walked back the way they’d come, passing the fenced off area on the way. The three dogs were outside, chasing each other around the run.
‘They look like they’re having the time of their lives,’ Finlay said. ‘If only the same could be said for us.’
‘And here was me thinking you were.’ Genevieve looked up at him. ‘Please don’t wreck my illusion.’
‘Your illusion? This coming from a woman who’s always hated me.’
‘I didn’t hate you.’
‘You did a very good impression of it. And in return, I’m sure I can do a great impression of enjoying myself.’ He looked around. ‘I mean, I can’t imagine anywhere I’d rather be.’ He gave her a Sean Connery wink and she laughed into the back of her hand. ‘Should we hold hands or something? You know, make this look authentic, like we’re really into each other.’
‘Aren’t you anyway?’ She tossed him a sassy look, as if daring him to say otherwise.
‘Sure. How could I not be?’
‘And you’re the least sarcastic person I’ve ever met.’
‘Why thank you,’ he said, holding out his hand. ‘Shall we?’
She looked at his hand, then at his face, and raised both her eyebrows. ‘I think you’re insane.’
‘Me? Says the woman who asked me here in the first place, even though she’s barely spoken two words to me in ten-plus years.’
‘Yeah.’ She ran her fingertips down her decolletage, still looking at his outstretched hand, then reached out and took it. Her palm was warm and her grip was firmer than he expected. He returned her hold with equal pressure and she glanced up, looking almost uncertain. He knew why. They were about to enter an eco-house with turbines and solar panels… But neither of those methods could generate as much energy as the connection from their combined hands. Finlay’s body felt stronger, like he was a superhero changing from his human form into something gigantic and powerful. Whatever the next few hours threw at him, he could handle it. And more than that, he was going to enjoy it.
The path wound ahead, bending around the house that, from the side and the top, seemed to blend in with the hill. The bright green lawn continued perfectly across the roof. Finlay’s jaw dropped as they walked towards the front. What a masterpiece of weathered timber and glass: symmetrical with two-storey wings on either side of a giant roundhouse in the centre. The doors were wide open on the ground floor and people milled in and out seamlessly.
‘Wow.’ He gaped at the tear-drop shaped lawn built effortlessly into the swirling paths around the garden. Large white trellises were dripping with roses.
‘You like it?’
‘Stunning. I’ve never seen anywhere quite like this – except on TV.’ He glanced up and saw that all along the upper floors were rooms with balconies and French doors. It reminded him of his apartment building but this was one house. Every well-placed eco brick sang money. It must have cost a fortune to build.
‘There’s my dad,’ Genevieve said, leading Finlay into the throng. ‘Let’s get this meeting out of the way, then we can introduce you to the buffet.’
Finlay let out a snort laugh. ‘You really are my kind of girl.’
‘I’m sure my dad will be delighted to hear that.’
‘But we still haven’t sorted out our story.’
She twisted her lips into a pout. ‘You up for winging it?’
‘Oh sure. I love living dangerously.’
With a smirk, she led him over to a grey-haired man in a blue shirt. He looked around sixty and was good looking with a trim figure. There was something of the silver fox about him. Finlay could imagine his mum eyeing him up.
‘Hey, Dad.’ Genevieve tapped him on the arm and he dropped out of the conversation he was having with a group of people.
‘Ah, you made it,’ he said with a broad grin. His gaze almost instantly fell on Finlay, taking in their joined hands. His expression was pleasantly curious.
‘I did. Sorry I’m late.’ She leaned up and kissed his cheek, still not letting go of Finlay. ‘I got held up.’
‘No problem. And who do we have here?’
‘This is Finlay, my, er…’
‘Boyfriend,’ Finlay supplied. ‘Though I’m possibly too old for that term.’
‘Oh I don’t think so,’ her father said. ‘You look like a young lad to me. And I’m very pleased to meet you.’ He pushed out his hand. ‘I’m Geoff.’
‘Pleased to meet you too.’ Finlay shook his hand.
‘I had no idea you were seeing anyone,’ he said to Genevieve.
‘It’s all quite new.’
‘Wonderful,’ Geoff said. ‘Let me find Hilary. She’ll be delighted.’
‘Listen, Dad, while you’re looking for Mum, we’ll get some food. Finlay’s been… er, renovating a flat and he hasn’t eaten much today.’
‘Well, you better get to the buffet then, hadn’t you?’ Geoff ushered them forward. ‘Are you in the property business, Finlay?’
‘No. I’m a P.E. teacher.’
‘Fantastic. What sports do you like?’
‘Everything. Cycling is probably my favourite and I enjoy rugby. I play, coach and watch it.’
‘Good, good. I like the rugby too. Not a bad show this year at the Five Nations either.’
‘Yeah. Pretty good, all things considered.’
Inside, the large glass circular room was laid out with a huge buffet table and Genevieve gave Finlay a little smirk. A server passed by with a tray of drinks. Genevieve lifted two glasses, handing one to him. How warm his hand had got in hers; the cool glass chilled his skin.
Geoff disappeared to look for his wife and Finlay took a large gulp of prosecco. Elise loved this drink but he’d never fully appreciated it.
‘Chin-chin,’ Genevieve said, clinking her glass on his. ‘Here’s to a—’
‘Long and wonderful relationship with my new girlfriend?’
She giggled. ‘Sure, I’ll drink to that.’ With a wink, she took a sip. He glugged back some more.
‘Not much in these really, is there?’
‘You’re supposed to sip it, but there’s enough here to satisfy the five thousand. Here…’ She waved to a passing server, laid her half full glass on the buffet table and took two more glasses. ‘This is what you’re here for, after all.’
‘Indeed.’ Finlay knocked back the remains of his first glass. ‘Not forgetting the tantric experience later.’
‘Yeah. Well, you can forget that. Now, behave. Here’s my mum coming.’
‘Noted.’
A smart woman was marching towards them with Geoff. She was an older version of Genevieve – very pretty and well turned out in a bright green cocktail dress. A huge smile cracked across her face as she got closer.
‘Hello, hello.’ She opened her arms and embraced Genevieve, then pulled back and looked up at Finlay. ‘You must be Finlay. How wonderful to meet you.’ She pulled him in for a hug too. ‘I think I’ve seen you somewhere before.’
‘Very possibly.’
‘Well, I’m so pleased you’re here with Genevieve. We always hope to introduce her to some nice young men but she’s found someone delightful herself. It’s so exciting.’ She almost did a happy dance on the spot.
‘I’m right here, Mum.’ Genevieve finished her first glass of prosecco and lifted the second one.
‘I know. And you are such a wonderful girl.’ She clapped her cheeks affectionately and beamed like Genevieve was a cute little toddler. ‘Here. Your drink’s almost finished.’ She flagged down a passing server and handed Finlay another drink.
Vaguely aware he probably shouldn’t drink too much on an empty stomach, he wafted the thought away and took another sip. The buffet was calling but Mrs Harrington wanted to chat and it was easier to let her.
‘Call me Hilary,’ she said. ‘We don’t stand on ceremony here.’
‘Of course,’ Finlay said.
‘Geoff tells me you’re a sports teacher. Do you like golf?’
‘Yes. I haven’t played for a while but I enjoy it when I do.’
‘I enjoy golfing with some of my lady friends,’ Hilary said. ‘We play on Thursday afternoons. I find it very relaxing, though I must say I’m a fair-weather player. Can’t be doing with it in the rain and having to dig out all the waterproofs.’
‘It’s definitely more fun in the sun,’ Finlay said, wondering if he was really required to reply. Hilary was rattling on like a long-distance truck and she was still going.
‘Oh yes. We’ve played on the Algarve and we even had a round at Kiawah Island one holiday. That was amazing.’
Finlay gulped almost all of his drink in one. How well-off were they? Just as well he wasn’t dating Genevieve for real. No way would his teacher’s salary stretch to this kind of lifestyle.
He glanced at her and found her looking back with a grin, like she was struggling to hold back a laugh. Hilary became distracted by some other guests and she and Geoff slipped into another conversation.
Genevieve leaned towards Finlay and, like she was a magnet pulling him, he moved closer. Their bodies touched and a frisson of awareness drifted over him, interspersed with a raw urge to kiss her pretty lips. That’s the alcohol talking.
‘They absolutely love you,’ she said, her words soft and warm in her breath.
‘What can I say?’
‘They’ve never been so enamoured by any of my real boyfriends.’
He put his finger to his lips. ‘What are you suggesting? That I’m not a real man?’
She smirked and raised her finger to his cheek. ‘You’ve got something there…’ With her fingertip, she brushed his cheek above his beard line. He clasped his hand over hers, holding it to his face.
Their gazes were locked and Finlay’s brain jammed. Words seemed to want to come out, so did feelings… so did raw lust.
‘Finlay,’ Genevieve whispered. ‘We—’
‘Aw, look at you two,’ Hilary Harrington said.
Finlay released Genevieve, smiled at Hilary, and took another drink from a passing server. He almost downed it in one. What was happening here? His mind and emotions were all over the place. Maybe he just needed food. Yes. Food would do the trick.