‘What makes you think that?’ As soon as the words were out, he realized how much of a revelation they were. In part, it was a professional response. Answer a question with a question, don’t let the subject take control of the interview. But it was also the instinctive response of someone who has something to conceal. The innocent man would have said, ‘Yes, it was Carol, she’s very excited because she’s got the job she was after.’ However, where Carol Jordan was concerned, Tony could never be an innocent man.

‘She’s the only person you wouldn’t want to talk to with me listening in the background.’

Tony flushed. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘It means you’ve got something to hide where Carol Jordan is concerned.’

‘You’re wrong. She was talking to me about a confidential police assignment, that’s the only reason I took the call in the car.’

Frances snorted. ‘Do you think my head buttons up the back? You took the call in the car because you knew I’d spot the obvious.’

Tony took a couple of steps towards her. ‘I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about, Frances.’

‘Don’t play games with me. You’re in love with her. Christ, I only had to be in your company for five minutes to work that one out.’

‘No,’ he said. ‘You’re wrong.’

‘I’m right. And I’ve got far too much self-respect to put up with having my nose rubbed in it.’

‘Look, Carol is a former colleague, a friend. How can you be jealous of someone I’ve never even slept with?’

‘Well, more fool you. You should have tried the little blue pills a bit sooner, shouldn’t you? Because she’s obviously gagging for it.’

Her words hit like a slap to the cheek. ‘Leave Carol out of this. Whatever you’ve got into your head, it’s between you and me.’

‘That’s the trouble, Tony. It’s not between you and me. It’s always been between you and Carol, only you never let me see that before. You kept it hidden away, pretending you wanted to be with me when the truth is she’s the one you want.’

‘You’re so wrong, Frances. There’s no future for me and Carol. All there is between us is a very difficult past. I’m with you because I want to be.’

Suddenly Frances picked up a small crystal vase from the window sill and hurled it at him. ‘You lying bastard,’ she shouted as he dodged to one side. It crashed into the wall with an incongruous tinkle of smashed glass. ‘I’m not a masochist, Tony,’ she panted, anger stealing her breath. ‘Life is too damn short to fritter away my emotions on a man who’s desperate for somebody else. So get the hell out.’