CHAPTER FOURTEEN
My whole body goes rigid. I knew I recognised the perfume. I smelled it in the Ladies that night when we were talking.
‘So what’s it doing in your car?’ I ask, snatching it off and throwing it into the back.
He shrugs. ‘I gave Alicia a lift to the station in Guildford and she left that in here by mistake. That’s all.’
My heart is beating so fast, I feel sick.
Has he started seeing Alicia, then? Is that why he stopped phoning me?
‘When was this?’
‘When I gave her a lift?’ His brow crinkles as he tries to remember. ‘It was the day of your mum’s family buffet. The day after Boxing Day.’
My mind flashes back in time. Rob told me he’d be over at Brambleberry Manor by eleven but it was nearer twelve by the time he arrived. He told me he’d given a friend a lift but there was no mention of who that friend was.
But now it’s clear.
Having told me he’d be there earlier than everyone else so we could spend some time alone together, he was actually driving Alicia into Guildford!
He reads my expression and heaves a sigh. ‘I didn’t tell you I’d bumped into Alicia because at that point, you didn’t even know I actually knew her. I already felt bad that I hadn’t come clean to you about the night of the Snow Ball. I – I didn’t want to muddy the waters between us when things were going so brilliantly.’
I glare at him, shaking my head in frustration.
‘Look, I know and I’m sorry, Fen. But it’s not a big deal, is it? I felt sorry for Alicia after all her problems with Ethan, and she was at the bus stop, pregnant, laden with bags.’ He shrugs. ‘I just felt I should help.’
He gazes at me, his green eyes filled with a silent entreaty for me to believe what he’s saying – and I do. I really do.
But that’s not the point.
He deliberately hid something from me, and I just don’t think I can live like that, always wondering if there’s something he’s not telling me. Worrying I’m being made a fool of all over again . . .
I turn away to hide the tears of frustration, leaning back against the headrest and staring out of the side window at the spooky grey shapes of the trees beyond. Shivering, I dig my hands deeply into my pockets, trying to get warm, longing to be back in Ellie’s flat with my two best friends.
How long will it be before we’re rescued?
We could be here all night.
God, I hate him so much!
Rob sighs. ‘Look, I know you hate me right now. And for the record, I don’t blame you. But the sensible thing, if we’re facing a night of this, would be to huddle together for warmth.’
‘Good one,’ I mutter at my reflection in the side window.
‘I’m not using this as an excuse to get close to you.’
‘Right. So it’s purely a practical solution.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Well, sorry, but I’ll take my chances. I doubt if I’ll turn into an ice sculpture any time soon.’
‘I’m not so sure. It’s below zero out there.’
When I don’t reply, he gives a frustrated sigh. ‘Well, if you don’t want Alicia’s coat thing, I’m not about to let it go to waste.’
The car rocks as he leans over and retrieves the wrap. The faint scent of his citrus cologne reaches my nose and a pang of sheer longing rips right through me. I desperately want to be curled up next to him. I could survive any number of hours stranded here in the cold if I had Rob’s arms around me and his lovely deep voice murmuring in my ear, making me smile and lifting my spirits the way he always does.
But then his cologne mingles with the floral scent from the wrap and my heart freezes. Rub it in, why don’t you, Rob!
I hunch myself sideways in the seat, trying to find a comfortable position, my back deliberately to Rob. I’m so exhausted, I feel sure I’ll be able to sleep and then this awful night will be over.
After trying for what seems like hours to nod off, I check my phone and find that only twenty-seven minutes have passed since I last looked at the time. And there’s still no signal. I’ve got a nagging headache, the cold has invaded my very bones and I keep thinking longingly of taking a lovely steamy hot shower. It’s the first thing I’ll do when we’re finally rescued and back home.
Meanwhile the fight to get comfortable continues. I’d love to turn around because my left bum cheek is starting to protest, but that would mean facing Rob and I’m determined to keep my back firmly towards him. It’s only what he deserves!
Then, as I’m flumping around in frustration trying to find a more relaxed position, a sound like a little surge of air being forced from a balloon fills the cavernous space between us.
It’s not loud but in the silence of the night, that’s by the by. The tiny squeak might as well be a massive fart. I couldn’t be any more mortified.
I freeze in horror, praying he’s asleep. Then from Rob’s direction comes an echoing sound. A tiny snort of laughter.
‘Oh, ha ha! Yes, that’s hilarious,’ I snap, feeling vaguely grateful for the pulse of warmth suddenly surging into my frozen cheeks.
‘It was quite funny,’ comments Rob.
‘Glad I’m keeping you entertained,’ I bat back, with more frost than a freezer in need of a thorough de-icing.
‘Look, come here, will you?’ he growls. ‘I’m freezing and so are you. There’s no point cutting off our noses to spite our faces.’
‘I think mine’s about to drop off.’ I touch my nose experimentally and move reluctantly closer, and he puts an arm around me.
‘What? Your face?’
‘No, my nose.’
‘We can’t have that,’ he murmurs, kissing the nose in question and sending fluttery feelings through my body to every area imaginable.
Smiling in spite of myself, I settle against him, and the warmth of our bodies together magically multiplies – enough for me to start feeling more than a little relaxed. We’re not back together. Definitely not. But needs must . . .
‘This is so much better,’ I confess. ‘From a purely practical thermo-dynamic point of view.’
‘Oh, I agree.’ His warm breath tickles my ear, making my stomach perform several giddy somersaults. ‘You might want to move your hand, though.’
‘Why? It’s just resting against the gear stick.’
‘No, Fen, it’s actually not.’
I leap away from him as if he’s just told me my pants are on fire.