30

  Marcus led us through a maze of corridors, finally stopping outside an old oak door. We hovered there for a moment, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. He twisted the knob and pushed the door open, and I followed him inside.

  ‘Wow, look at this place!’ I said as I took in my surroundings.

  The room was small, yet breathtaking. There were old-fashioned double cottage wall lights with red velvet shades on the far wall, and a towering tree, decorated with oversized gold and purple baubles, that twinkled with Christmas magic in one corner of the room. In front of a roaring open fire was an old leather chesterfield and a coffee table with a bottle of champagne and two glasses standing on it.

  ‘It looks like someone was expecting us,’ I said and smiled, turning round only to see an ebony grand piano at the back of the room.

  ‘What a magnificent instrument!’ I said.

  Marcus grinned. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’

  ‘Behave,’ I said, laughing and hitting him playfully.

  ‘Come and sit down,’ Marcus said, and I followed him towards the couch. He poured us both a glass of champagne and lit the candles sitting on top of the coffee table.

  ‘Cheers,’ he said, clinking his glass against mine then taking a sip.

  ‘Merry Christmas, Marcus.’

  ‘Lizzie, I hope you don’t mind but I’ve bought you a little something.’

  ‘A present?’

  ‘Yes, it is Christmas after all. I’m hoping you’ll accept this one,’ he said, reaching into the inside pocket of his dinner jacket. His eyes didn’t leave mine.

  The past few days my head had been whirling with all the amazing things that were happening to me. Since meeting Marcus, one thing was for certain: I was grabbing back control of my life and beginning to feel happy again. I had to admit I liked this feeling. Someone was actually interested in what Lizzie Stevens had to offer.

  Marcus pulled out a small black box wrapped with a red velvet ribbon and placed it in my hand.

  ‘What’s in it?’

  ‘That’s the joy of presents – you have to open them,’ he said, laughing, ‘to discover what’s inside.’

  ‘Shall I open it now or save it for Christmas?’

  ‘It’s up to you.’

  ‘I’ll open it now,’ I said, carefully untying the ribbon.

  I hesitated briefly before lifting the lid, and I could feel Marcus’s eyes on me. I opened it slowly and there against the burgundy velvet was a silver chain with a pendant covered in tiny crystals.

  I gasped.

  It had been such a long time since I’d worn any kind of jewellery. I didn’t actually own much else than my wedding ring.

  My eyes filled with tears.

  ‘Marcus, I love it. It’s beautiful.’

  ‘I’m glad,’ he said, leaning towards me and taking the pendant out of the box. He fastened it around my neck.

  I couldn’t stop beaming.

  ‘It complements your dress perfectly.’

  ‘Marcus, I really don’t know what to say.’

  ‘You don’t need to say anything, Lizzie.’ He moved forward and his lips lingered next to mine before he kissed me lightly on the lips. ‘You are so special,’ he murmured.

  I honestly thought I was going to melt or combust. I couldn’t make up my mind which one.

  We sat for a moment with our heads resting against each other before Marcus kissed the tip of my nose and stood up. He walked over to the window and I followed him.

  Standing side by side and sipping champagne, we stared out into the wintry night. Marcus put his arm around me and we watched in silence for a moment as the snow flurried to the ground.

  He took the glass from my hand and put both our drinks down on the table by the fire.

  As he turned and walked back towards me, my heart started beating wildly. He stretched out his hands and took both of mine in his, then paused and smiled. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips softly to my forehead.

  ‘You are beautiful, Lizzie Stevens,’ he whispered so softly that I wasn’t sure if that’s what he’d actually said.

  He shuffled backwards and led me slowly to the brown leather chesterfield. I watched as he added logs to the fire from the basket at the side of the hearth. My heart was dancing to the rhythm of the flames that flickered before my eyes. There was something terribly romantic about a real log fire.

  I tucked my legs to one side and closed my eyes.

  When I opened them a few seconds later, Marcus had disappeared. I turned my head to find him sitting at the piano behind me. The glow from the fire revealed a noticeable magnitude of warmth and expression in Marcus’s eyes, and he turned slightly towards me and smiled before gliding his fingers gently over the keys. There was a charismatic appeal to the way in which he played. I was captivated – the harmonies were so fitting. I closed my eyes again and relaxed. Listening to the music, I felt breathless, the notes weaving a romantic story.

  I needed to be closer to him. I wandered over and rested one hand on his shoulder, my drink in the other.

  When he finally stopped playing, he turned to face me and stood up. Taking the glass from my hand, he took a sip before putting it down on the floor. He exhaled slowly then, taking me by surprise, he lifted me up on top of the piano. He traced a line down my face with his fingertips and kissed me lightly, lingering for a moment.

  ‘Lizzie, I want you,’ he said.

  The way he said my name sent a thrill through my body. Lost in the moment, I didn’t hesitate. ‘I want you, too.’

  He moved closer and wrapped his arms around my waist, sliding me to the edge of the piano. I wanted to feel his body next to mine; I wanted to taste his kisses. Gently he pushed up my dress and slowly caressed my thighs. The intensity of his gaze made me tingle with anticipation. His touch on my bare skin made me gasp with desire. The raw chemistry was almost too much to bear. A warmth that had been missing for too long flooded through my body.

  He pulled away and cradled my face in his hands. ‘You are perfect,’ he whispered.

  Marcus had brought happiness back into my life and I smiled as I looked deep into his eyes.

  We were interrupted by voices outside the room.

  ‘Wait there, don’t go anywhere,’ he ordered, walking over to the door and locking it before making his way back over to me.

  ‘It’s probably guests trying to find their room,’ he said, helping me down from the top of the piano and leading me to the rug in front of the fire. Every nerve tingled as I lay down. Marcus’s hands began to explore my body and he gently slid my knickers down. Ann had been right; I was relieved I’d taken her advice and upgraded my underwear. Marcus sat up for a moment and unbuttoned his trousers. I pushed them down, not wanting to wait any longer.

  His toned body rose above me. I ran my hands over the contours of his strong arms and our eyes locked. Neither of us faltered.

  ‘Are you sure, Lizzie?’

  I kissed him passionately. ‘Yes!’

  31

  Standing beneath the soft-focus lighting in the ladies’ powder room, I stared in the mirror, smoothing down my hair before fixing my make-up. I noticed a certain flush to my cheeks that made me look younger, and my eyes sparkled with happiness.

  There was a huddle of girls in their best party dresses chattering away to the side of me. After backcombing their hair and brushing more blusher onto their cheeks, they finished off their look by touching up their lip-gloss. One of them started chatting about starting a new job on Monday before disappearing through the door. I smiled to myself; they reminded me of Abbie and Freya.

  As soon as the girls entered my head, I started feeling guilty about Marcus. I’d just shared such a special moment with him, and it had felt so right, but what the hell was I going to do now?

  After one last check in the mirror, I headed back to the party to join the others. Pushing open the double doors, I saw the live band had been replaced by a DJ and the dance floor was crowded with people making the most of the entertainment.

  The snooty shop assistant was flopped on a chair in the corner with her eyes closed. The room was a mess, with spent crackers, party poppers and the tatters of fallen paper hats littering the floor.

  Ann and Pierre were sitting at the table tucking into buffet food while Marcus perched next to them, hugging a pint of beer. As soon as he noticed me, he smiled warmly at me.

  ‘I couldn’t stand any more of that fizzy pop,’ he said as I approached. ‘Would you like something else to drink?’

  ‘I thought you were never going to ask,’ I said, noticing Ann and Pierre were now drinking wine and beer. ‘A full-bodied red would be perfect.’

  ‘A woman after my own heart,’ he said, grinning as he stood up.

  I smiled as he walked away. It was nice to be looked after. Someone was waiting on me hand and foot for a change. The memories of the last hour made me feel warm and cosy inside, and I knew I was beaming.

  Ann smiled indulgently at me. ‘You look like the cat that’s got the cream.’

  ‘Do I?’ I asked, knowing full well she would have clocked that Marcus and I had been missing for a while.

  ‘Where have you been?’ she whispered in my ear as I pulled out the chair next to her.

  I didn’t have time to answer before Pierre stood up. ‘Would you excuse me for a few minutes?’

  ‘Yes of course,’ we said in unison, watching as Pierre waved at a couple sitting across the room.

  ‘So come on, where have you been?’

  From nowhere, guilt washed over me.

  She gripped my arm. ‘Lizzie, what’s wrong?’ She narrowed her eyes at me.

  I hesitated, not quite knowing what to say or whether I could even speak.

  ‘I did it, Ann, I did it,’ I said, feeling a tear roll down my face.

  I waited for her to say something. Ann took one look at me and fumbled around in her bag before passing me a tissue. ‘Here, dab your eyes quickly before your make-up runs, then take a sip of my wine.’ She said, thrusting her glass towards me.

  I sipped the wine and took a moment to glance over my shoulder. Marcus was chatting to a group of people at the bar, and Pierre had settled down next to the couple he was talking to.

  I shifted in my seat and took a deep breath.

  ‘I slept with Marcus.’

  Once the words left my mouth, I felt a sudden pang.

  Ann threw herself back in her seat and gasped, pressing both hands to her mouth.

  ‘No way.’

  ‘Yes way,’ I confirmed, unable to meet her stare. ‘And not only that, look what he bought me,’ I said, wrapping my fingers around the pendant and showing it to Ann.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said.

  ‘It certainly is.’

  ‘How do you feel now?’ Ann raised a worried eyebrow.

  ‘Ten minutes ago, I was feeling loved and cosy inside. It was the happiest I’d felt in a long, long time. In fact, it’s safe to say I was floating on cloud nine.’

  ‘And now?’

  Thoughts of Henry flooded my head and my heart. My Henry; Henry who works hard every day to send our girls to university and put food on our table. Henry who would never dream of doing anything like this to me in a million years. I hung my head and fought back the tears.

  ‘I feel absolutely terrible.’

  ‘So why do it then?’ Ann asked softly.

  ‘I was caught up in the moment, the thrill. I felt wanted. Because Marcus is gorgeous and out of my league, and I wanted to see if I could turn his head. Maybe it was just an ego boost, I don’t know,’ I said solemnly. ‘I’m so confused.’

  ‘Firstly, Marcus may be gorgeous but he’s not out of your league, and secondly, it might not be as bad as you think. It’s natural to feel like this straight after you’ve done something that may not have been the right thing to do. You’ve come down from a high with an almighty crash after your heart ruled your head, but now your head is fully back in charge.’

  ‘You have a way with words, Ann,’ I sniffled, fighting the horrible gut-wrenching pain in the pit of my stomach.

  ‘Sometimes things like this need to happen to make you realise what you have and what you could lose.’

  ‘Do you think?’ I looked up at Ann, uncertain.

  ‘Yes, I do. It may not feel like it now, but things always happen for a reason, and Henry doesn’t need to know any of this, does he?’ Ann peered at me anxiously and squeezed my hand.

  I shook my head, praying that Henry would never find out.

  ‘Lately you and Henry have lost your sparkle…’

  ‘But that’s no excuse,’ I interrupted.

  ‘No one’s saying it is, but if everything was hunky-dory at home this would never have happened. If you aren’t connecting with each other, then the blame lies with both of you.’

  All I could manage was a nod, and I took another gulp of Ann’s wine.

  ‘I’m not sure Henry would see it like that.’

  ‘What do you want to happen now?’ she asked tentatively.

  The question hung in the air. I wasn’t sure what would happen next. I didn’t have a clue.

  ‘What do you mean what will happen now?’

  ‘Are you leaving Henry? What are you going to tell the girls? Will you live with Marcus?’ Ann reeled off a series of questions.

  I had a sudden vision of the girls and felt the guilt twist in my stomach.

  ‘I have no idea.’

  Ann nodded, although she looked confused.

  ‘So, are you going to carry on having an affair?’

  ‘It’s not an affair as such.’

  ‘What would you call it then?’

  ‘I’ve no idea,’ I answered, suddenly agitated.

  ‘What does Marcus want to happen?’

  ‘Again, I have no idea; we haven’t talked about it.’

  ‘I think you need to ask Marcus what he wants, because as much as I want you to be happy, and you’re my best friend, having an affair with your neighbour is only going to come crashing down around your ears at some point.’

  ‘When you put it like that…’

  ‘And usually when you least expect it.’

  I knew Ann was right, and I was beginning to wish I’d never agreed to come to the party.

  ‘How would you feel if Henry was having an affair with the woman next door?’

  ‘Luckily for me, the only woman who lives next to us is eighty-year-old Nora. I’m not sure she’s a threat.’

  ‘That’s not the point though, is it?’

  I swallowed. I felt numb and couldn’t speak. It hadn’t dawned on me until now that I hadn’t thought this through. All I’d done was live for the moment, without thinking about the consequences. My mind began to whirl. I had no idea what Marcus thought or wanted. He was still grieving his wife and coming to terms with her affair.

  ‘Lizzie, whatever happens, whatever you decide to do, I’ll be here for you. You deserve to be happy. Remember you only get one life, so live it.’

  ‘Thanks, Ann. You’re the best friend anyone could wish for,’ I said, feeling a lump form in my throat.

  Suddenly feeling chilly, I reached under the table and fished around between the table legs for my shrug. I couldn’t find it anywhere. I lifted up the tablecloth and peered underneath. Damn, it wasn’t there. I must have left it back in the piano room.

  ‘Here you go, ladies – a proper drink. I took the liberty of buying the bottle instead of a glass. I hope you don’t mind,’ Marcus said, grinning.

  ‘Mind? Of course we don’t mind,’ Ann replied.

  ‘Ah, here he is. There’s a pint here for you,’ Marcus said, sliding the glass to Pierre, who nodded his appreciation and sat down next to Ann to chat. As Marcus settled on the chair next to me, he placed a reassuring hand on my back. ‘Are you OK?’ he asked softly.

  I managed a nod and sipped my drink.

  ‘Will you excuse me? I’ve left my shrug in the piano room,’ I whispered.

  ‘I can nip and get it for you,’ he offered.

  ‘No, honestly, it’s OK. I can remember where to go. I’ll only be a couple of minutes. You stay and chat with Ann and Pierre.’

  ‘OK, if you’re sure.’

  I nodded, ‘I’m sure.’

  As I stood up, Marcus caught my hand.

  ‘I’m having a really good time this evening,’ he whispered softly in my ear. I pinned a smile on my face and disappeared out of the party room and up the winding corridors towards the piano room, hoping he hadn’t noticed my bloodshot eyes and wondering what the hell I was going to do.

  I pushed open the oak door and peered into the room. It was dark except for the fire still crackling away. The shrug was draped over the back of the settee, exactly where I’d left it. I hurried towards it then shot a glance at the rug, where I’d lain in Marcus’s arms only an hour or so before. My emotions had been all over the place since confessing my sin to Ann, and I had no clue what was going to happen next.

  ‘Who have we here then?’

  The boom of his voice caused me to turn swiftly, and I was startled to see Larry Braithwaite’s portly figure blocking the doorway. He strode towards me, taking me completely by surprise.

  I shook his hand and introduced myself as Lizzie. His grip was vice-like. He wrapped his other hand around mine and didn’t let go. His eyes looked me up and down, and I wasn’t sure why, but I suddenly felt threatened by his presence.

  ‘So, Lizzie,’ he leered, ‘you’re back in this room, are you? After your little time away?’

  He sniggered.

  Pulling my hand away from his took such force, and my fingers felt numb from his crushing handshake.

  ‘Back?’ I asked, thankful my voice wasn’t as shaky as I felt.

  ‘Yes, back. I watched you before when you snuck in here with Bowman.’ He ogled me, and I could feel him undressing me with his eyes.

  Judging by the tone of his voice and after seeing Marcus’s uneasiness around him, it was safe to assume they had an axe to grind with each other – a history I didn’t know about.

  ‘I just came to collect my shrug,’ I replied calmly, not wanting to antagonise the situation. Feeling very uneasy, I grasped at the shrug. I needed to get out of this room, but I had the horrible feeling it wasn’t going to be as easy as that. ‘I hope you enjoy the rest of the party,’ I said, trying to escape round him towards the door.