‘Oh, shit,’ said Tom, sprinting to catch up with Ste, who was now halfway across the courtyard and making his way round the side of the house. For someone apparently so unhealthy, Ste was quick and nimble as an alley cat.
‘Ste,’ he shouted after him. ‘Come back!’
One of the drivers had left his courtesy car with its engine running as he went to help a beautiful blonde woman in a floor-length mink coat into the back of the car. Seeing his chance, Ste nipped into the front seat, slammed the door and roared off, leaving the driver and the blonde standing there, coughing dust.
‘Bollocks,’ moaned Tom, watching the car swerve all the way up the drive, its red tail-lights fading into the blackness.
‘My car,’ shouted the driver, running fruitlessly down the gravel drive.
Tom got his mobile out and tried to phone Stella but it went directly to voicemail.
He ran into the house, bumped into Morton and asked where Rob was.
‘Retired to bed, sir,’ he smiled, before leaning in and whispering, ‘and he has company.’
‘Sorry, Rob,’ muttered Tom, as he ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, ‘but this is an emergency.’
Emma rolled over onto the pillow and sighed contentedly. Sex second time round with Rob had been magical, somehow more sure and real.
‘Promise me you’re not going to leave town for New York tomorrow and then not speak to me for weeks?’ she purred.
Rob turned to face her, propping himself up on his pillow.
‘Next time I go to New York, you’re coming with me.’
‘What for?’
‘Shopping …’ he grinned.
Suddenly there was a lot of banging on the bedroom door.
‘What the hell?’ said Rob, pulling on a white towelling robe.
Tom was standing at the door, panting, his cheeks flushed.
‘Tom, is everything OK?’ asked Rob.
‘Not really,’ he gasped, mentally reminding himself to give up the fags as well. ‘Can I come in?’
Emma sat up in bed and pulled the sheet around her breasts sheepishly.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Ste found Clover shagging Blake Brinton in the barn.’
‘You’re kidding, ’ replied Rob.
‘Ste took off in a stolen car about five minutes ago.’
‘Oh, Jesus,’ said Rob.
‘It gets worse: he’s pretty pissed and he’s taken crack too. Who knows what else.’
Rob was already on his mobile trying to reach Ste.
‘No reply. So where’s Clover now?’
‘Having a screaming row with Astrid Brinton downstairs. Turns out she’s been shagging Blake since the Milford launch party.’