Page 11 of Secret Paths

“Good?”

“Yes. Good.” She picks up her handbag from the floor and places it on the table. “Because I do not do serious relationships either.”

I zip up my trousers, then button my shirt.

“So, what are we saying?”

“That it was a one-off.”

“One night.”

“No expectations.”

“None.”

“And no telling Alexandra.”

I laugh. “Absolutely no telling Lexi.”

“She would have an opinion.”

“My sister would have several opinions.”

“And then she would look at you in that way she has when she is deciding whether you deserve to live.”

“I am familiar with the look.”

Mandy smiles, but it fades as quickly as it appears.

“We can still be normal,” she says.

“Of course.”

“No avoiding each other in the pub. No acting strange.”

“I never act strange.”

She gives me a flat look.

“All right,” I say. “No more strange than usual.”

That earns me another small smile.

Mandy walks me to the front door while I try very hard not to notice how natural it feels to stand in her kitchen.

At the door, she reaches up and straightens my collar.

“There,” she says. “Almost presentable.”

I look down at her.

“Goodnight, Mandy.”

“Goodnight, Peter.”

I kiss her.

Brief. Stupid. Completely necessary.