Chapter Fifty-Nine
‘Found you,’ my ex-husband declared.
His tone suggested we’d merely been playing hide-and-seek, and that my hiding place had taken a little longer than usual to discover.
‘How on earth–?’ I began.
‘Your ditzy mate,’ Robin explained. ‘Lisa finally told me where you were after I rang her phone a million times.’
Cheers, Lisa!
Robin glanced about.
‘Why are you living in a garden shed in a back-of-beyond village?’ He wrinkled his nose. His expression was akin to someone who’d parachuted into the jungle and didn’t know how to find their way back to civilisation. ‘Are you going to ask me in?’ he said testily.
I stared at him in surprise, my mouth a perfect O.
‘Er, no,’ I said, finding my voice. ‘I’m about to go out. With my dog,’ I added.
‘Woof,’ said Cindy. She glared at Robin, hackles raised.
‘Fine, fine,’ he said, raking one hand through his hair. ‘In which case, I’ll come with you.’
I gaped at him. Why was my ex-husband in Milo’s garden on a Saturday morning, and why was he suggesting we take a walk together?
‘Just a moment,’ I said irritably. ‘First things first. Why are you here?’
‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Robin’s tone suggested I was thicker than my ex-mother-in-law’s gravy. ‘I’ve come to see you.’
‘But why?’ I said in bewilderment.
At that moment the backdoor to Starlight Cottage opened. Milo appeared. He had a phone clamped to one ear and was obviously in deep conversation with someone. He waved, and I waved back. Then he held up a hand indicating he’d be another five minutes. I nodded and gave him a thumbs up. He retreated and the backdoor closed again.
‘Who was that?’ Robin frowned.
‘Milo Soren.’
‘But who is he?’ Robin’s frown became a scowl.
I folded my arms across my chest.
‘Who wants to know?’
‘Well, me, obviously. Oh God’ – Robin looked momentarily flabbergasted – ‘don’t tell me that you and Mr Handsome are an item.’ His eyebrows promptly met his receding hairline.
I stared at my ex-husband’s head in surprise. The chestnut hair was thinner than I remembered, and he was looking decidedly grey at the temples. There were fresh lines around his brown eyes, and the frown marks between his eyebrows had deepened. In fact, he looked rather haggard.
Perhaps his shenanigans with Sexy Samantha were starting to take their toll. Maybe it was a taddy exhausting keeping up with a younger woman.
I had a sudden mental picture of Samantha, sprawled over the dinner table. Announcing she was pudding. Tipping a jug of custard over her boobs. Ordering Robin to lick it all off.
Then the image shifted to my boss. Leslie. And Candace’s note. Is that what she did? Chuck a packet of Tate & Lyle over her cleavage, then smirk at Leslie. “A whole new meaning to sugar tits, you lucky boy.” And why was I even thinking such weird thoughts on a cold February morning? Had Friday’s public shock sent me ever-so-slightly bonkers?
‘Will you answer me?’ Robin complained. ‘Is that man your lover?’
Slack jawed, I glanced fleetingly at Starlight Cottage’s backdoor. Please God, don’t let Milo have overheard Robin’s preposterous suggestion.
‘Tilly!’ Robin exhorted. ‘Enough is enough. I demand you tell me what the hell is going on here. Frankly, I’m appalled. Do you hear me? Appalled . Not only is my wife living in a shed, but she’s apparently paying her rent with sexual favours and-’
‘How dare you,’ I hissed. Cindy whined in protest. ‘My private life is absolutely nothing to do with you. Do you understand?’
‘So it’s true.’ Robin stared at me, his lips becoming a thin line. It was an expression I was familiar with, having been married to him for twenty years. But now it struck me how unattractive it made him look. Mean, even.
Suddenly all the fight seemed to go out of Robin. His body language shifted dramatically. His shoulders slumped. When he next spoke, his voice was almost inaudible.
‘Am I too late?’ he whispered.
I gazed at him uncomprehendingly.
‘Too late for what ?’
‘Isn’t it obvious?’ he shrugged. ‘I want you back. And this time, I mean it. I really, really mean it.’