Jago didn’t speak. He waited. That somehow made it worse.
‘I found something out,’ Thom went on. ‘Accidentally.’
‘Go on,’ Jago said quietly.
Thom finally looked at him. ‘She’s playing you.’
Jago’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
‘She’s still with Donal.’ Jago’s nostrils flared. ‘They’re planning to move to Ireland. Together.’ The words landed heavy.
‘How do you know all this?’ Jago was wide-eyed.
‘I overheard her. She was chatting to him on the phone. She didn’t know I could hear.’ Thom swallowed. ‘She was laughing.’
Jago let out a breath through his nose. Slow. Controlled.
‘She was smug about the money you were about to give her. The twenty grand.’ Thom bit his lip. ‘She was counting on it. Said once she had it, she’d be gone and they’d be laughing.’
Silence stretched between them.
‘Did you overhear anything… about Amélie?’ Jago paused and raised his eyebrows. ‘During this phone conversation, I mean.’
Thomas looked pained. He went to speak and then stopped.
‘I’m a big boy, Thom. Come on, just tell me.’
‘I’m so sorry, mate, but she’s not yours.’
Jago nodded once. Just once. Like he’d expected it, even if he hadn’t wanted to. He coughed to release the emotion building in his throat.
‘That’s not all of it,’ Thom said quietly.
Jago’s face was now red with anger. ‘Jesus, Thom, if that’s not bad enough!’
Thom’s throat burned. ‘I’ve been sleeping with her, and she’s played me too.’
Jago stared, then let out a fake-sounding laugh. ‘She’s clever that one, I’ll give her that. And it’s none of my business what you do with your life orherfor that matter, but she’s clearly been using you too.’
‘I know,’ Thom said. ‘She knew I worked in finance. Asked me about investments. I didn’t tell you or Mum because… it was exciting. I was having fun.’
‘How long’s it been going on?’
‘Since she knocked on your door that day.’
‘Jesus Christ, Thom.’
‘I know, sorry, sorry.’ Thom dragged a hand through his hair. ‘I’ve got a girlfriend and I know what that makes me, too. I’m not proud of it. I hated myself for it.’
‘And yet you kept going back.’
Thom nodded. ‘Yes.’
Jago laughed again, sharp, and humourless. ‘She’s like a siren. You hear the warning, you know how it ends, and you still steer straight towards the rocks.’
Thom met his gaze. ‘I won’t again.’
Jago held it for a moment, then gave a single nod. ‘See that you don’t. Because knowing better only counts if you actually do better.’
