Tell Tale: Short Stories

“Angela told me she was asking on behalf of a friend, and the friend turned out to be her.”

“I’m really sorry,” said Adam. “I had no idea,” he added as he looked across the bar at his old classmate.

“I have to admit that it hasn’t been a bundle of laughs lately,” Gareth said, after taking another sip of his drink, “and I’m mostly to blame. If you spend the week in London and can’t always get back at the weekends, it doesn’t help.”

“But divorce or no divorce, you must still have a worthwhile income from the bar.”

“And I’m going to need every penny of it,” said Gareth. “Angela’s lawyers are driving a hard bargain. They’re demanding the manor house as well as the villa in the south of France, and that’s just for starters.”

“But you’ve still got the Chelsea flat, which must be worth a bob or two,” said Adam.

“True, but I’ll need to hold on to it if I’m going to survive,” said Gareth. “Fortunately she thinks it’s rented and I told her it’s coming up for renewal next year.”

“Then perhaps it might be wise to settle with her before she finds out how much it’s really worth.”

“I’d agree with you in normal circumstances,” said Gareth, lowering his voice, “if I hadn’t just found out she’s having an affair. And if I could only discover who the bastard is, I’d be in a stronger position.”

“What makes you so sure she’s having an affair?”

“I found a cufflink under the bed, and it certainly wasn’t mine.”

* * *

“Gareth found a cufflink under the bed and told me it wasn’t his.”

Angela calmly lit a cigarette. She inhaled deeply before saying, “Then we’ll have to be more careful in the future. If Gareth were to find out we’re having an affair, there would be no chance of me getting my hands on the two million my lawyers are demanding. Which would also mean I wouldn’t be able to invest in the pub.”

“But you still want to b

e my partner?” said Adam nervously.

“In every sense of the word, my darling,” Angela replied, blowing out a cloud of smoke. “But if I don’t get hold of that money, I could end up serving behind the bar.”

“That wasn’t part of my overall plan,” said Adam. “Although the moment I can move in with you, I’m going to convert the top floor of the pub into bedrooms, which would bring in some much needed extra income. But I’ll need your help when it comes to the interior design.”

“Only too happy to play my part,” said Angela as she stubbed out her cigarette. “But I still think it would be wise for us to cool it for the time being.” Adam couldn’t hide his disappointment.

She leaned across and kissed him gently on the lips. “But once he’s signed the divorce papers,” she added, breaking away, “I’ll not only be free to become your partner, but your wife.”

“I can think of another way that would convince him to settle quickly.” Angela raised an eyebrow. “Demand to see the details of the lease on his flat in Chelsea.”

“No. It’s much better he still believes that’s his trump card, and in any case, it would only hold up your deal with Greene King.” She lay back on her pillow and pulled the sheet over her. “How’s that going, by the way?”

“I had a meeting with a brewery representative last week, and we agreed terms. They told me as soon as I’m ready to put down a deposit, they’ll draw up a contract.”

“Then all you’ll need to do on Sunday is convince Gareth that he should come up with the two million, and the pub will be yours.”

“Ours,” said Adam, as he placed a hand on the inside of her leg and slipped back down under the sheet.

* * *

“It’s a burgundy,” said Gareth.

“You’d have known that,” said Adam, “by just looking at the shape of the bottle.”

Gareth frowned and took another sip. “I must admit it’s quite superb. My bet is a Clos de Tart?”

Adam half nodded. “Close, try again.”