‘I was born in Hungary, Dominic. I’ve seen first hand what flawed politics can do,’ she said, hating him at that very moment.
Another silence.
‘I’m going,’ she said finally, buttoning up her coat.
‘Let me drive you home.’
‘I’m not going home.’
‘Where are you going?’ he asked, his face clouding with concern.
‘I’m going to the office.’
He glanced at his watch and smiled, the passing tension apparently over. ‘It’s nine thirty at night.’
‘I won’t stay long. I just have to catch up on a few things.’
‘At this time?’
‘We’re going on a protest march tomorrow,’ she explained.
‘What are you planning on saving this time?’
‘Stop making fun of me,’ she said angrily.
‘I’m not. I am genuinely interested in your work.’
She exhaled, a little cloud of breath mushrooming in the cool night air. ‘All right then. We’re protesting about the legalisation of betting shops.’
‘The legalisation of betting shops?’ he said, smiling.
Ros glared at him. ‘I know how much you like a game of blackjack, but this is sucking people who can’t afford it into gambling.’
They both got in the car and Ros rested her elbow on the edge of the window, turning away from him and gazing out.
They drove in silence, South Kensington, then Knightsbridge slipping by, until they came to Piccadilly. Green Park was like a big gaping hole on their right. The car seemed tiny and vulnerable next to the red buses zooming past.
‘I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy yourself,’ said Dom as he turned the Stag in to Soho. ‘They should have been more welcoming to you, especially Neville.’
‘I liked Jonathon and Michaela. The others . . . I think we were just not a very good social match.’
‘If I’m totally honest, I thought you were going to shake up what might otherwise have been a bloody dull dinner party.’
‘Ah, let’s bring the pet tiger along for entertainment. No wonder you invited me.’ As with everything she said to Dominic Blake, her words came out sharper and more sarcastically than intended.
‘That’s not it, said Dominic more softly. ‘I brought you because I think you’re smart and funny and interesting and I wanted my friends to see all that too.’
‘Oh really?’ Rosamund met his gaze in a challenge. ‘And why’s that?’
‘Because I like you,’ he said simply.
‘The office is just here,’ she said, pointing towards the tired block on Brewer Street. ‘Don’t park up. You might be tempted to go to Raymond’s Revue,’ she added, nodding in the direction of the famous strip bar.
‘You really think I’d do that?’ laughed Dominic.
‘You’re a single guy . . .’
Dom stopped the car.