Page 80 of Unapologetic Love Story

‘What’s going on?’ Pepper asked the question, while the panellists on the television argued against Tom’s point. ‘What is that face, Raina?’

‘Nothing,’ Raina replied innocently, smiling and clutching her dinosaur cushion to her chest. ‘I’m just in a goofy mood.’

‘Raina. Lewis. Tell the truth.’

Raina stayed silent, watching the screen. Tom was clearly waiting for a moment to speak again. Just before he did, he glanced right into the camera lens with an accuracy and decidedness that made Raina stiffen.

‘This government has taken more away from this country’s people than any other in its history, and then they want to get away with any and all hypocrisy? No. They would demand resignation from the shadow cabinet. And have. There should be consequences, Philip, with respect.’

Raina shrieked with laughter, causing the two women on either side of her to start with shock. She clapped a hand over her mouth and closed her eyes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

‘Now you’re scaring me,’ Pepper said sternly.

‘I just,’ Raina gasped, ‘really love seeing someone stand up to the political establishment.’

It wasn’t untrue. It was just even better when it was a good-looking man doing it, while he also used hidden code to flirt with her.

‘Political establishment, my arse,’ Pepper sputtered. ‘What’s going on with you?’

‘I told you, the night of the party.’

‘I know something more,’ Solana sang cheerfully.

Raina and Pepper both threw her a look. Pepper’s eyes narrowed. ‘But nothing’s happened though. Right?’

‘Wrong!’ Solana cackled, spilling a ton of popcorn. ‘She slept with him!’

‘Yes, I fucking did. Now go and get Henry; you’ve made a mess everywhere.’

‘And how much of a mess did he make, Raina?’ Pepper demanded, her voice full of disbelief but her eyes amused. ‘You’ve got stubble-burn on your thighs.’

Raina scowled and crossed her legs. Solana dragged the vacuum cleaner into the living room and obediently started hoovering up fallen popcorn. Raina threw her best friend a conspiratorial glance but said nothing, merely choosing to turn the volume up on the television.

‘I think the entire House is due for an overhaul,’ Tom Branimir told the rest of his cohorts as the segment reached its conclusion. ‘With the greatest of respect.’

Raina switched off the television with a triumphant laugh. One that made her two companions exchange glances.

‘Are we missing something?’ Pepper asked.

‘Oh, totally,’ Raina snorted, pulling the cushion closer.

‘Can you go a bit faster?’

Tom leaned forward to address the taxi driver. Getting from the studio to Barnes wasn’t an overly horrific journey, and this was the quickest route, but it wasn’t fast enough for Tom. He’d practically ripped his microphone pack in two while trying to leave the studio floor. He’d dodged producers and other presenters on his way out of the labyrinthian building.

And now he was bouncing his leg and staring out of the window, as though the taxi were a cage. He cursed every red light and every time the driver let another motorist pass.

‘She must be quite something,’ the cabbie muttered after Tom pointed out Raina’s house.

Tom didn’t even reply; the cab door was already open and he’d slid some money through the window. He took the stoop stairs two at a time and was about to clatter on the door when it was suddenly wrenched open.

Pepper Cousins stood before him, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

‘How did you—’

‘Saw you from the living-room window,’ she said. ‘Can we help you?’

‘Pep, let him in!’