Page 91 of The Cottage at Brambleton Hall

‘Not exactly.’ Chloe waved a hand. ‘But that was the vibe.’

Sammy could picture it perfectly.

‘Then she looks me up and down and goes . . .’ Chloe straightened, slipping back into Valerie’s voice surprisingly accurately. ‘“You’ve certainly made an entrance”.’

Sammy closed her eyes. ‘Oh God.’

‘What?’ Chloe said innocently. ‘I thought it was nice. Like she appreciated the effort.’

Sammy appraised her friend. The perfect hair and makeup. The tiny silver dress. The heels. The fur-trimmed jacket now draped over the chair. ‘Chloe, you do look like you are heading to a nightclub.’

‘I might still be.’

‘In Brambleton?’

‘Dream bigger, Sammy.’

They both laughed. But underneath it, Sammy sensed the familiar little knot tighten in her stomach again. Every word from Valerie seemed to come with a tiny barb tucked beneath it.

‘She’s awful, isn’t she?’ Chloe said, reading her expression now.

‘She’s just . . .’

‘A cow?’

Sammy laughed. ‘No.’

‘A nightmare?’

‘Close to.’

Chloe pointed her wine glass Sammy’s way. ‘You hate her.’

‘I don’t hate her.’

‘Sam.’

Sammy slumped against the fridge. ‘She makes me feel . . . stupid all the time. Like I’m constantly getting things wrong.’

Chloe’s face softened. ‘Ah,’ she said knowingly. ‘One of those women.’

Sammy snorted.

‘What’s she called again?’

‘Valerie.’

Chloe grinned. ‘Val the Vampire.’

Sammy burst out laughing.

‘Because she’s sucking the life blood out of you,’ Chloe continued triumphantly. ‘And probably feeding on fear.’

‘Stop.’

‘I’m serious. She probably turns into a bat after midnight.’

Sammy laughed harder. ‘You’re ridiculous.’