‘We are not friends, Patrick, and we never will be again!’

He eyed her, then smiled slyly. ‘My, my, from the way you’re reacting anyone would think you still have feelings for me. If you didn’t, you’d be able to sit with me and have a drink.’

Jazz sat down abruptly, hating him. ‘One, then I’m going.’

‘The usual?’

Jazz nodded, as her heartbeat sped up further, remembering the intimate knowledge he had of her.

He brought her back a cognac and put his whiskey down on the table.

‘So, who was yer man?’

‘A friend, that’s all. Someone I’m helping with a thesis.’

‘Looked to me as if he wanted to do a bit more than just have you help him. Fair play to him. Are you sleeping together?’

‘Patrick, for God’s sake! It’s absolutely none of your business! I’ve only just met him.’

‘Bit on the young side, isn’t he?’

‘Never seemed to stop you.’ It was out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

‘Touché.’ Patrick took a gulp of his whiskey. ‘Ah, really, it meant nothing, nothing at all.’

‘Don’t you dare give me that bullshit! I know you’re lying. The affair went on for a year at least. The worst thing was, everyone in the office knew about it. Except your wife.’

‘I admit I behaved badly, but—’

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. ‘Badly?! Christ, Patrick, you behaved appallingly! Shagging her in your office with the blinds closed. Jesus! At least if you were going to indulge in infidelity, you could have kept it outside office hours.’

She could see the next-door table were enjoying the show but she was past caring.

‘Jazz, I’m deeply, truly sorry.’ He sighed. ‘Perhaps we should have had this conversation a long time ago. I was there, waiting to apologise and explain, but you ran off into the sunset. Anyway, I’m sitting here in front of you now, admitting I acted like a total eejit and I’m awash with guilt for putting you through it. And even more sorry if my behaviour contributed to your departure from the Yard.’

She looked at him helplessly. ‘How the hell could I stay?! As Princess Diana once said, three’s a crowd in a marriage, and she didn’t have to work in an office every day with Camilla . . . not to mention her husband.’ Jazz shook her head as she drained her glass.

Patrick, for once, had no immediate riposte. He stared back at her silently.

‘Anyway, what’s done is done,’ she continued. ‘It’s all in the past and frankly, I just want to move on. I can’t believe you had the cheek to turn up here.’

‘Jazz, I was desperate. I’ve been beside myself for months trying to find you. That solicitor of yours refused to give me any clue as to where you were hiding yourself.’

‘I didn’t want to see you then and I don’t want to see you now.’

‘You can’t say I didn’t play fair by agreeing to the quickie divorce. I could have refused to sign.’