I laugh, puzzled. ‘What on earth do you mean?’
‘Remember you told me to keep Carrie’s lottery win tomyself? Well, I stupidly told Jason, my brother, and made him promise not tosay anything to anyone. Then I find that he’s spread the news to all hismates.’ She shakes her head wearily. ‘I’m really sorry.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. Everyone knows now, anyway.’Smiling, I wave away her concern, as something clicks into place in my head.I’ve always wondered how Ryan found out about our lottery win. Well, now Iknow. Jason has been mates with Ryan for years.
Amanda slaps a hand over her chest with relief. ‘Thanks forbeing so nice about it. I’m so pleased for you and Carrie.’
‘I know. It’s great, isn’t it? Carrie’s been so generous,sharing her winnings with me.’
The bell at the door jingles and Adam walks in. He sees meand laughs. ‘I knew I’d find you in here.’
‘Am I really that predictable?’ I grin at him. ‘Adam, youknow Amanda, obviously?’
‘Of course I do. We were in the same class at school. Whereelse do you think I buy my supplies of chewing gum?’ He smiles at Amanda.‘Which reminds me. I’m running short.’
‘The usual, then?’
He nods. ‘The usual.’
She leans over to the display at the front of the counterand picks up a multi-pack. ‘I’ve just been telling Krystle how pleased I was tohear about Carrie’s win.’ She takes the note Adam hands her and rings itthrough the till. ‘I still think it’s weird that you don’t do the lotteryyourself.’
He grins. ‘I’ve told you, Mandy. I don’t like the odds.Waste of money as far as I’m concerned.’
I look at him and laugh. ‘You’re tight as a duck’s arse, youmean.’
This tickles Amanda and we both start to laugh, and Adam,going slightly pink, grins good-naturedly and says, ‘Now, now. Not fair youboth ganging up on me.’
‘Come on. I’m buying you lunch, tight wad.’ I pull on hisshirt and he follows me out, calling back to Amanda, ‘She’s waaaay too bossy,this one!’
As we walk along to the Swan, I’m starting to feel more likemy normal self. Yesterday’s horrible journey home from Edinburgh really laid melow, and I almost cancelled on Adam this morning. But I’m really glad I didn’t.He always manages to lift my spirits when I’m feeling low.
But when we arrive at the bar, it’s Sod’s Law that Adam shouldchoose the exact same table I sat at with Doug that time, when things betweenus felt all new and exciting and full of possibility. So then, of course, I’mback to thinking about Doug and wondering how he’s reacting to not hearing fromme. He texted me last night and this morning, saying he hoped I was feelingbetter, but although I stared at his message each time with a lump in mythroat, I resisted sending a reply.
‘Drink?’ asks Adam.
I frown. ‘Wish I could but I can’t. I live miles away, inthe middle of nowhere, remember? And I’ve got the car.’
He grins. ‘Oh, poor you. How on earth can you stand it,living in that lovely cottage with views of fields and sheep, and being forcedto drive a Porsche?’
‘Ha ha.’
He shrugs. ‘You could stay over at mine if you like. Driveback tomorrow morning? Then you could let your hair down and have a glass ofwine?’
It’s tempting. Very tempting. Especially the way I’m feelingtoday. ‘Go on, then. That’s a refreshingly good idea of yours, Adam Bailey.’
We order lunch, but the bar is busy and the food takes agesto arrive. And by the time it does, I’m already halfway down my second glass ofwine on an empty stomach, and Adam’s talking about relationships and how peopleare only human and it’s important to give them a second chance. And this, ofcourse, makes me think about Doug again. I’m starting to wish I’d confrontedhim about things yesterday when we were driving back. I think I was too scaredof what I might find out about him. But after time apart, I’m already missinghim. I really need to know the truth, especially about the weird name changething. He might have a perfectly reasonable explanation, although I can’t forthe life of me imagine what that could be. But he might...
‘Steady,’ grins Adam, as I reach for the napkin-wrappedcutlery and almost lose my balance. ‘I think you need to pace yourself. Coffeenext?’
‘Coffee? We’re having far too nice a time to be drinkingcoffee!’I get to my feet rather unsteadily. ‘Another red wine?’
‘No. I’ll have a softie, please. Shall I get them?’
I shake my head. ‘My treat. Actually...’ Istop and study him, an idea forming in my wine-addled brain. ‘There’s somethingI need to do.’
Adam looks faintly puzzled. ‘The toilets are that way?’ hejokes.
‘No, no. I just need to step outside for a bit. But I won’tbe long. I promise.’ I dash out onto the high street before Adam can ask anyawkward questions and make my way round the corner to Doug’s block of flats. Ifeel a bit light-headed after the wine but my mind is made up. I need toconfront him and find out who he really is.
