‘I don’t suppose I could,’ Helen agreed coldly.
‘I thought not. I couldn’t see him leaving Leon. Then where is the old devil—ah, I remember,’ the actress smiled. ‘It’s his night off.’
‘Right again,’ Helen nodded.
‘Of course, Leon and I usually ate out that night. Where is Leon?’
’Working,’ Helen told the other woman through stiff lips.
‘Oh yes?’ Sharon Melcliffe scorned. ‘And you believe him, I suppose.’
Helen’s cheeks flamed with anger. ‘He just called from the studio.’
‘Oh, I’m sure he did—before he left for some party or other. And if you call the studio now you’ll conveniently be told that he can’t be disturbed now. Leon’s greedy, I’m afraid. He likes a woman at home and still likes to have his other little diversions.’
‘Really?’ Helen muttered.
‘Oh yes. That’s why I went to America with a—a friend of mine.’ The woman said this so suggestively that the friend could only have been male. ‘I caught Leon up to his little tricks and walked out on him. So if you aren’t a replacement for Max you must be mine.’
‘I suppose I must be.’
The blue eyes were strangely inquisitive. ‘Do I know you?’
Helen gave her a startled look. ‘Kn-know me?’
‘Yes,’ Sharon Melcliffe said slowly. ‘I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before. I’m better with names than faces, actually, so what is your name?’
‘Helen—Helen Course,’ she gave her maiden name.
‘You don’t seem very sure.’
‘Oh, but I am. I just didn’t think about giving you my surname until I realised you expected it.’
‘Mm—well, it doesn’t sound familiar,’ the actress said thoughtfully. ‘Never mind, I’m sure it will come to me in time.’
Helen hoped not! ‘Did you want to see Leon about something special?’ she changed the subject.
‘Not particularly. I just called to se
e how he is, but I can see he’s doing just fine. As you’re here I might as well leave you my key. I’m sure Leon has given you your own, but as I won’t be needing mine any more there’s no point in my keeping it. I’m getting married, you see.’
‘Congratulations.’
‘No need to be polite, Miss Course. I can see you hate me like hell.’
‘No, I—’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ the actress gave a husky laugh. ‘I would probably feel the same in your position.’
‘You don’t understand—’
‘But of course I do,’ Sharon purred. ‘Make the most of it, Helen, I can see the signs.’
‘S-signs?’
Sharon nodded. ‘Of the end of your little romance. As soon as Leon starts to feel hemmed in he starts working late—or pretending to. He’s a beautiful lover, extremely accomplished, as you probably know, but he doesn’t stay attracted for very long. I would say your appeal is beginning to wane.’
‘I think you should leave, Miss Melcliffe,’ Helen said stiffly.