‘I’m glad you’re here for Will’s sake too,’ Summer said thoughtfully. ‘I think it’s really good for him to have you here.’
‘Me?’ Kate was taken aback.
‘Yes, you,’ Summer stated. ‘I’ve known Will for quite a long time, but I’ve never seen him as happy and relaxed as he’s been the past couple of days. I can’t help feeling that you’re what makes the difference.’ She stirred her coffee absently. ‘Will has such sad eyes, don’t you think? He’s a beautiful man, but he has the loneliest eyes.’ She looked out of the window to where he was on the terrace, trying to calm Tessa. It turned out that she had mislaid her airline ticket and was taking it out on Maria. ‘He’s a terrific guy. He’s so good at what he does, but sometimes, he seems a bit… lost. He doesn’t seem that way when you’re around.’
Kate followed her gaze. Will had instigated a search party for Tessa’s ticket and was smoothing Maria’s ruffled feathers, speaking to her in fluent Italian.
‘Maybe you make him feel… safe,’ Summer continued.
Kate wrinkled her nose. ‘Safe? Not exactly sexy, is it?’
‘Don’t knock it. After all, most men marry their mothers.’
‘I don’t think Will’s mother ever made him feel very safe,’ Kate mused. ‘It was more the other way around. He had to lookafterher. He knew she loved him, of course – and he adored her – but I don’t think she ever gave him a sense of security.’
‘Well, all the more reason why he’d be drawn to someone who does.’
Infuriatingly, Louise chose that moment to round up Summer. ‘Nearly ready to roll?’ she called, sticking her head around the door.
Kate sighed, frustrated, as Summer went to get her things together. She had been the second person recently to suggest that Will had feelings for her – first there had been Lorcan. Both times, maddeningly, the conversation was cut short.
* * *
‘Come on, Kate,’ Georgie called. ‘It’s starting.’
Kate distributed bowls of popcorn on the coffee tables and slid onto the sofa between Georgie and Owen.
It was the Friday after the guests had left, and they were gathered around the TV after dinner to watch the first episode ofCelebrity Cell Block. There was the usual parade of spurious celebrities, has-beens and wannabes, the laconic male presenter providing much-needed reminders of their claims to fame while making jokes at their expense. Tessa was her usual bright, bubbly self when she rolled up, waving cheerfully to the crowd and beaming for the cameras.
The contestants were issued with prison uniforms, which led to a great deal of complaining from the women. Vanessa King was the most vociferous – disingenuously moaning that she looked ugly in the drab grey overalls.
‘She’s fucking gorgeous, and she knows it,’ Owen said.
‘Why do you think she said it?’ Georgie murmured. ‘Stupid cow.’
Tessa got her wish and was teamed with Vanessa as her cellmate. ‘I’m just missing my boyfriend so much,’ she whinged, bringing up Rory’s name at every possible opportunity.
‘God, she’s only been in there five minutes,’ Owen remarked. ‘You’ve spent more time apart when she’s gone to the loo,’ he told his brother.
Vanessa set out her stall early on, making a pass at Tessa on the first night. She was notorious for swinging both ways, and rumour had it that she had not only had an affair with the disgraced MP but also with his wife.
On the first day, Tessa made the most of her airtime, leading a yoga class in the exercise yard and offering her fellow inmates unasked-for dietary advice. She had even remained cheerful and upbeat when she was assigned a job in the laundry. But by lock-up it had become too much, and she broke down in tears. ‘I feel so alone,’ she wailed to Vanessa, who sat beside her on her narrow bed.
‘Come on, we’ll get through this together,’ Vanessa soothed her, putting an opportunistic arm around her. ‘Just remember why you’re doing this,’ she said, stroking Tessa’s back.
‘I miss my boyfriend so much,’ Tessa sobbed. ‘My boyfriend Rory.’ She must have realised she’d forgotten to mention his name. ‘I miss being held and having someone to cuddle.’
‘You don’t have to miss that,’ Vanessa said softly, stroking Tessa’s hair, a predatory glint in her eyes. ‘Rory Cassidy’s loss is my gain.’ She kissed Tessa lightly on the lips.
Kate glanced surreptitiously at Rory to see how he was taking this. His eyes were out on stalks. Even Owen was agog.What was it with men and lesbians?
Meanwhile, on screen, Tessa recoiled.
‘Sorry,’ Vanessa said. ‘You’re just such a beautiful girl, Tessa – and I’ve heard some very interesting things about you.’
‘All lies,’ Rory said. Tessa had always put out stories that made her sex life sound a lot more kinky than it was.
‘Well, her publicity-seeking’s coming back to bite her on the arse now,’ Will said.
