28

‘I didn’t do this, Cath. Jesus Christ, I don’t even know how to block a number. It’s obviously some sort of mistake. Why the hell would I do that?’

Cath performs a faux shrug. ‘I don’t know. Because I was happy? Because I was about to get married and start the rest of my life and you were jealous?’

‘Oh, come on. We spoke about that. We cleared the air. We had a great time in Brighton. Why would I then decide I didn’t want to talk to you anymore? It’s ridiculous. It doesn’t make any sense at all.’

‘I don’t know, Grace. I said sorry to you, I really made an effort with Tom. I even invited him to the wedding, for Christ’s sake. If you’re still coming, that is.’

‘Of course we’re coming! Cath, I didn’t block your number. I swear I didn’t.’

I glance over at the bar, but there’s no way I’m vocalising that suspicion. Cath’s already conveyed her concerns about Tom, and I don’t want her barking up that particular tree again.

‘Maybe it’s just a glitch,’ I say. ‘There’s got to be a way of doing it accidentally. I don’t even know how these things work, Cath. There’s literally no reason why I’d do something like that. Think about it. It doesn’t make any sense. If I’d gone to the effort of blocking your number, why would I be talking to you now, begging you to believe me?’

‘Well if it wasn’t you, who was it?’

‘I… I don’t know.’

‘Because I hate to bring all this back up again, and I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but doesn’t Tom work in IT security?’

‘What’s that meant to mean?’

‘I’m just saying he’d know what to do, that’s all. Like I say. Not accusing anyone of anything. Just food for thought.’

‘Seriously, Cath. You’re not trying to bring this up again, are you?’

Cath says nothing as Tom rejoins us at the table, having bought another round of drinks.

‘Hi Cath. Didn’t know you were coming today.’

Cath looks at him for a moment before smiling. ‘Wouldn’t have it any other way,’ she says.

I had sincerely hoped you weren’t going to be a problem too, Cath. Grace has many foibles — we’re working on those — but one of them is her forgiveness, particularly when it comes to you.

You hold a special place in her heart. I can’t see why. You’re lazy, ineffectual, self-centered and, quite frankly, turgid. To think that everyone else cares about your pathetic wedding, which you couldn’t even be bothered to organise yourself, is the height of piteousness.

I could see the look in your eyes. You thought you’d got it all sussed, didn’t you? You thought I hadn’t heard, didn’t know what you were talking about. It’s dangerous to assume everyone else has the same level of intellect as you, particularly when you’re as daft as a brush.

You weren’t meant to come back. Not like this. You were meant to slowly drift away on a bed of non-communication and happily wedded bliss. I had a whole plan for the wedding day, too. Just an extra little spanner in the works to bring you crashing back down to earth, knock you down a peg or two. Now that’ll have to go on the back burner.