One Night with Morelli(58)

                Eve digested the stream of artless confidences in silence, finally asking casually, ‘Is there a chance of you going to live with your mum?’

                Josie shook her head. ‘No, Dad promised he won’t let it happen, no matter what.’

                * * *

                She sat in the cab until Josie had gone through the school gates, then gave the address of her office to the driver. The cringingly embarrassing scene she had endured had been playing in her head on a loop like background noise since they had left the house, only this time, in the light of Josie’s revelations, it took on a very different slant.

                They said knowledge was power but Eve didn’t feel powerful; she felt grubby and used. The worst part was she had really thought Draco had been sparing her embarrassment, that he had allowed the assumption they were in a relationship to stand uncorrected out of consideration for her feelings.

                And I stood there like a puppet feeling…grateful. She felt her temper rise and didn’t fight it.

                An expression of grim determination spread across her face as she suddenly leaned forward in the cab. ‘Change of plan.’

                By the time the cab drew up outside Draco’s home, in her head Eve had verbally demolished him and made a dignified exit. She was still riding the crest of a wave of righteous anger when she battered on the door with her fist, glaring at one of the several strategically placed cameras above her head that zoomed her way as she did so.

                When the door was finally opened Eve, who had been leaning up against it, almost fell inside, narrowly avoiding a collision with the smartly dressed middle-aged woman who had opened it.

                ‘Can I help you?’

                Of course he didn’t open his own door, she fumed. He probably saved himself for the fun stuff in his life like manipulating and lying.

                Eve didn’t waste time on small talk. ‘I want to see Draco.’

                There was a short silence. ‘I’m afraid you have the wrong address.’

                The outright lie made Eve blink, but she refused to be put off. ‘I know he lives here.’

                ‘Now, here is a nice surprise.’

                The drawled comment made both women turn their heads as Draco, wearing sweats and a vest, emerged through a door. He had a towel slung around his neck and his skin glistened with a layer of sweat.

                Eve reacted to the testosterone-fuelled sight and, forgetting every word of the cutting and incisive speech she’d prepared, she stabbed an accusing finger in his direction and barked, ‘You…!’

                Wow, said the voice in her head. Powerful stuff, Eve, that’s really telling him.

                After holding her eyes for a long simmering moment, he turned to the older woman. He unhooked the towel and dragged a hand through his damp hair.

                ‘Thanks, Judith.’ The smile was for the older woman but his eyes only left Eve’s face for a split second. ‘I’ll take it from here. You get off and go straight home after your appointment.’

                ‘Are you sure?’ The older woman cast a doubtful glance Eve’s way as she stepped towards the open door.

                ‘What time is your dental appointment?’

                The reminder drew a click of her tongue followed by a wince. ‘Gracious, is that the time? You’re sure…?’