Friend of the Family

‘You do know there’s a much more likely explanation, don’t you? Max.’

‘Max?’ said Amy. ‘You don’t think . . .’

‘Rich man with huge house, young girl’s head gets turned: it’s not exactly an original story, is it? Plus if we add Max’s serpentine morals . . .’

‘But why do it in our bed?’

Juliet shrugged. ‘Better than his own with Claire on the property. And Max is exactly the sort to get a thrill from doing the mother–daughter double.’

Amy looked up sharply. ‘Max and Karen?’

‘That’s what he told me.’

‘Really?’ Amy frowned, her mind flying back to that long-ago night. ‘I’m pretty sure Karen told me that Max tried it on at the ball but she told him to get lost. Then Lee turned up so I’m fairly certain nothing else happened.’

‘Who’s Lee?’

‘Karen’s old boyfriend from home.’

Juliet looked sceptical. ‘Why would Max lie?’’

‘He had his stud reputation to protect. He was never going to admit that Karen knocked him back.’

‘Either way,’ added Juliet, ‘it could have been Max and Josie in your bed. Frankly, Max and anyone. Or it could even have been Alain the driver, or the gardener. Don’t jump to conclusions.’

Juliet was right. Amy had seen Josie talking to the gardener just a few days earlier. He was a handsome young man, who often worked with his top off. It wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to think something had happened between them, and perhaps, for some twisted psychological reason, Josie had wanted to do it in Amy and David’s bed.

Juliet tilted her head to one side. ‘Darling, I’ve known David longer than most – longer than you, even. He has his faults, but he’s loyal. I can’t think of a single time he cheated on a girlfriend, even the dreadful Annabel, and that’s saying something over twenty years. Besides, he adores you.’

Amy pulled a face, then nodded. ‘I know. And I feel awful even thinking it, but what other conclusion am I expected to come to?’

Juliet took her arm and began leading her along the rows of fragrant purple flowers.

‘Look, if you’re uncomfortable about Josie, why don’t you just get rid of her? Say you want to spend more time with Tilly, buy her a ticket home.’

‘I can’t, Jules,’ said Amy.

‘Why not? I thought you’d finished the application.’

‘It’s a favour to Karen.’

‘Oh for goodness’ sake.’

‘She’s my friend, Juliet.’

‘Was your friend. You did them both a favour and now you’re regretting it. Your loyalties should be to your family – to Tilly, to David, actually – not to someone you haven’t seen for twenty years.’

‘But I don’t know Josie has done anything wrong.’

Juliet stopped, open-mouthed. ‘Excuse me, a minute ago, you thought she was banging your husband.’

Amy looked back at her. ‘But it’s just intuition. You said it yourself: I have zero evidence.’

‘Then get some. If I was in your position, I’d trust Peter implicitly, I’d dismiss any doubts. Then I’d wait until he went out and go through his emails.’

Amy laughed, but Juliet didn’t join in. ‘Seriously?’

‘I have every faith that David’s entirely innocent. But a girl’s entitled to make sure, isn’t she?’