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She nodded, unable to speak.
‘And Jayne wouldn’t have invited her if she knew who she was anyway. It must be the man she’s with that’s the contact.’
Miriam nodded again.
‘I can’t believe it; of all the things to happen.’ He swore softly under his breath, still holding her tight.
Whether it was Jay’s obvious distress or her new-found belief and trust in him which had steadily grown over the last little while, Miriam didn’t know, but suddenly her mind started to work again. Reaching up, she touched his fa
ce. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said quietly. ‘She can’t hurt us any more, Jay. Her lies are useless now.’
‘We’ll go.’
‘No.’ Her stomach was turning over with the shock of seeing the woman who had caused them such heartache but at the same time she felt something strange bubbling up. She didn’t know if it was thankfulness or relief or even joy, but it was all to do with the knowledge that, seeing Belinda again like this, she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Jay hadn’t betrayed her with this woman. How could she have thought it for one moment? she asked herself in amazement. Belinda looked what she was, a beautiful, cold, poisonous snake, shallow and without morals. And Jay? Jay was fine and good and honest. Even if he had been physically attracted to Belinda, which she didn’t think was the case, he wouldn’t have done anything about it, loving her, his wife, as he did. When Jay had asked her to be his wife and had stood beside her and said his vows before God and man he had meant them for life. She had known that then or she wouldn’t have married him and she knew it now—how could she have lost that confidence during the time in between? But never again.
‘No?’ He looked down into her face, willing her to be honest with him about how she was feeling.
‘Jay, I love you and I trust you.’ It probably wasn’t the place to make the declaration, it perhaps ought to have been said after they had made love or looking at a beautiful sunset or something equally romantic, but it was the right time none the less. ‘And I believe in you absolutely. All the Belindas in the world can’t impinge on us, I know that now. So we’ll stay as long as we want to, although I’ve no plans to become her new best friend.’
He didn’t smile and a long pause ensued, their eyes locked. She willed him to see what was in hers. Finally he reached out and touched her cheek, one tender stroke of the backs of his fingers down her soft skin. ‘I love you,’ he said so softly she was almost reading his lips. ‘So much.’
‘I know.’ She felt giddy with emotional release, the room spinning for a moment as she held on to him. ‘And I love you.’
She saw him release a breath and then he did smile, pure relief showing on his face. ‘Some New Year’s Eve, eh? I’ll make sure it’s better next year.’
‘This year’s just fine.’
It was a little while before their paths crossed with that of Belinda’s; Jay’s ex-secretary had clearly been trying to avoid them. She was holding on to the arm of her escort and, close to, Miriam realised the man was older than she’d initially thought—sixty if a day. The gold Rolex on his wrist and the expensive suit he was wearing suggested he wasn’t short of a penny or two, though.
Jay smiled thinly at the man but Belinda he surveyed in stony silence, his eyes as hard as amber.
It was Miriam who spoke first. ‘Hello, Belinda.’ She turned her gaze on the man, smiling as she said, ‘I don’t think we’ve been introduced.’
Belinda’s escort’s eyes had narrowed—he’d clearly sensed something was amiss—but he held out his hand. ‘Graham Martyn,’ he said cordially. ‘We’re staying with my daughter, Kate Rowan, for a couple of days.’
‘I’m sorry, we’re new to the area,’ Miriam said carefully.
‘But you know Belinda?’ He half turned to the woman at his side, who hadn’t said a word.
With some effort, Belinda said shortly, ‘I used to work for Jay.’
‘Oh, yes?’ Graham looked at Jay, who stared back at him unblinkingly. ‘When was that?’
‘A year ago,’ Jay said in a tone in which ice tinkled.
‘Just before you came to work for me.’ Again Graham was looking at Belinda, but now his voice was quiet and even. ‘I thought you’d been taking a sabbatical for the couple of years preceding that? Travelling? Seeing a little of the world? Wasn’t that why your references were out-of-date?’
Jay made a sound in his throat. No one could have misunderstood the derision. ‘This is not the time or the place,’ he said, the softness of his voice coated with steel, ‘but if you’d care to ring me in the New Year I’d be happy to tell you why Miss Poppins had no current reference. Jay Carter of Carter Enterprises.’
‘I know the name.’ Graham Martyn nodded. ‘I might just do that, Mr Carter.’
Still Belinda said nothing; she clearly didn’t dare to take Jay on in the mood he was in. Miriam didn’t blame her. She almost felt sorry for the woman. Almost, but not quite. If Belinda had had her way she would have destroyed their marriage. Even when she must have realised there was no chance with Jay, sheer spite had driven her on.
Graham and Belinda left shortly afterwards, and as soon as they had gone Jayne made her way to their sides, her eyes curious. ‘I saw you talking to Graham,’ she said in a loud whisper. ‘Did you know the woman he’s with? Poor Kate’s going out of her mind with worry. She’s sure that woman’s angling to become the next Mrs Martyn and all the family can’t stand her. She’s a total gold-digger but she’s playing him like a violin apparently.’
‘Not for much longer.’ Jay told his sister who Belinda was, causing Jayne to look at Miriam in horror.
‘Miriam, I’m so sorry. I never knew. I wouldn’t have dreamt of letting her into the house. Oh, I can’t believe this has happened, not just when you two have got back together.’
