Cordelia smiled wickedly and walked confidently through to the kitchen. As if pulled by an invisible string, Lindsay followed, hating herself for her susceptibility. She stood in the doorway while Cordelia poured out two mugs of coffee from a jug and put them in the microwave. Cordelia leaned back against the kitchen unit, looking relaxed and, to Lindsay, unbelievably sexy. Although it was only hours since she had been lying in Sophie’s arms, it might have been a lifetime ago for all the effect it had on Lindsay’s reactions. “Have you made much progress?” Cordelia asked.

Lindsay shrugged. “Some. But if you don’t mind, I’d rather wait till Claire’s here. There are one or two things I want to ask her about, so I might as well save it till then. If she’s got any queries, we can sort them out on the spot.” Realizing that she sounded churlish, Lindsay softened her tone and struggled for something to say that was emotionally neutral but offered some kind of olive branch. “Do you know if she’s done anything about Alistair Anderson yet?” she managed.

Cordelia showed no reaction to Lindsay’s words except a slight raise of her eyebrows. She took the coffees out of the microwave and said, “Here you are,” holding one out to Lindsay, who came warily across the room to take it. “She’s organized a small drinks party for this evening. Alistair’s one of the guests. So we might have something for you tomorrow.” She moved closer to Lindsay, penning her into a corner of the kitchen, and put down her coffee. “Why are you so nervous of me?” Cordelia asked innocently. “You’re acting like I’m the big bad wolf.”

“Is it any wonder I feel a bit nervous?” Lindsay demanded. “Here I am, trapped in the kitchen with a half-naked woman. I mean, Claire could walk in at any minute. And the last woman who found herself in a compromising position with one of Claire’s lovers ended up dead,” she added, falling into the old habit of telling Cordelia exactly what she was thinking.

Cordelia laughed delightedly. “You’re surely not suggesting that Claire killed Alison? Oh Lindsay, you really are something else again! But set your mind at rest. Claire won’t be back for a couple of hours at least. She’s not going to catch you in a compromising position. Besides, she’s an adult. She’s not the sort of woman who indulges in temper tantrums.” Cordelia reached out and gently stroked the side of Lindsay’s head.

Lindsay felt her defenses dissolve under the familiar touch. “Meaning that I am?” she asked, desperately trying to fight her feelings and provoke a less intimate atmosphere. Being alone with Cordelia at such close quarters was uncomfortable, but she was determined that she wasn’t going to let her former lover defeat her.