Megan was puzzled by the sudden tension in Ben’s body. His hand dropped from her shoulder and he leaned forward. ‘Don’t you think you’d better join Nick now?’ His words were a bit more than a suggestion.

Cynthia flapped a hand defiantly. ‘Nope. Definitely not. He’ll be asleep by now, anyway.’ She waved at the waiter and this time he did see her and came over. ‘I’ll have another dry martini, please. A large one.’

Not only was her speech slightly slurred, but she was staring round at the other people sitting in the bar, eyes narrowed as if assessing them.

Ben sighed and closed his eyes for a minute. ‘Look, you go up, Megan. I’ll join you shortly.’ He lowered his voice and added, ‘I can’t leave her when she’s in this condition.’

Cynthia made no effort to conceal her jubilation.

Megan felt bitterly upset at Ben giving in to this blatant blackmail, but she wasn’t going to give Cynthia the satisfaction of showing it. Making no attempt to say goodnight, she stood up and marched across the foyer, her back straight and her head held high.

Rage made her feet beat out a tattoo as she walked. It was only too obvious whose wishes were getting priority with her husband. Well, just let him lay one finger on her when he came back to their room that was all! She’d pretend to be asleep.

If he came back to their room, said that little voice in her head, and she had to bite her lip to hold back the tears. She couldn’t cope with much more of this, didn’t see why she should have to, either. Ben wasn’t playing fair by her – or by their agreement.

It was like being on a roller-coaster, and she’d never enjoyed those.

Chapter 10

The next morning Megan was shaken awake while it was still dark outside. She stared around, still feeling foggy-brained. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Wake up, sleepyhead!’

‘What time is it?’

‘Nearly six o’clock.’ Ben switched on his bedside radio. ‘We can listen to the news while we get ready. I want to be away before eight, if I can hire a car by then.’

She could only gape at him. ‘Where are you going?’ If he was going somewhere with Cynthia, whatever the excuse he made, that was it. She’d leave him!

She sat up in bed, studying his face in puzzlement. She’d meant to stay awake until he got back last night and confront him about Cynthia then, but she must have fallen asleep. Well, she always had trouble staying awake late and she was usually a very sound sleeper. Was he annoyed about that? No, his smile was a real one, the sort that curled your toes. She was smiling back before she knew it.