Lipstick and Lies by Debbie Viggiano Read Free Book Online Page B

calls to me . And at my place of work too. Talk about freaking me out.’ I was aware that my voice had risen . ‘That woman was hell-bent on making out you were having an affair . She set you right up. I can still see her. Sitting opposite you in that restaurant. Looking oh-so-smug. Telling me, “Sorry you had to find out this way . ” ’
    I could feel my stomach knot ting with bad memories – me chucking wine at Selina , stuffing a handy bread roll into Jamie’s shirt , and then l egging it before an army of waiters turfed me out.
    ‘Look, we’ve gone over this. Ethan would be devastated , Cassie. You know that. Quite apart from anything else, you are forgetting that Ethan is the Senior Partner. He’s the one who put the dosh into the company. Ultimately the overall decision is his. And he wants Selina working for us. I have told you several times now that Selina has emphasised the past is over and done with. As far as she’s concerned , it’s all w ater under the bridge. She’s potty about Ethan. And she’s ve ry sorry about what happened.’
    ‘Wel l she’s not apologised to me.’
    ‘I’ m sure she will this evening.’
    ‘Unlikely.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because E than will be there of course.’
    ‘Look Cassie, I’ll say it again. I’m powerless. We’re going ro und in circles discussing it.’
    ‘I know, I know,’ I wailed. ‘ And I’m sorry. But I’m just not happy about it. I’m not happy about it at all.’
    The BMW accelerated down a slip road and onto the duel carriageway to London .
    ‘Cassie, if I could change things, I would. You know that. If Selina ’s joining the firm means you are going to be utterly miserable, I’ll tell Ethan I can’t work with him anymore. Is that wh at you want?’
    ‘Now yo u’re boxing me into a corner.’
    Jamie reached across the handbrake. He caught hold of my fingers.
    ‘Listen to me. You’re my wife. Your well-being and happiness is important to me. I’m not boxing you into a corner intentionally. T here are two options here. Either I work with Ethan – and in this case Selina too – or I don’t. I could go back to the police force. Be a cop again.’
    ‘I don’t want to be worrying about you in a job like that. Apart from anything else, we can’t afford our current ou tgoings on a policeman’s pay.’
    ‘Agreed. We’d have to move. Downs ize in order to reduce bills.’
    I bit my lip. And move into what? Even a four bedroomed property – a luxury for many families – would be a squeeze for us. The children wouldn’t have their own rooms anymore. And where would Edna sleep? She often stayed for extended periods of time. Due to fortuitous financial circumstances, we owned our beautiful home outri ght. Lilac Lodge was a six bed roomed Victorian pile overlooking Lavender Common. It would be a wrench to leave it. And then there were the kids’ horses to think of. They were stabled at Matt and Morag’s equestrian centre. Keeping horses in pony nuts and New Zealand rugs was an expensive business. And thanks to Katie Price pointing a manicured nail at the equestrian industry, it had become even more expensive. Just this very Christmas Petra had insisted Honey, her chestnut mare, simply had to have a raspberry rug complete with coronet motif. It would be pink hoof oil and mane extensions nex t.
    ‘I know! Tell Selina to turn the job down! Insist on it. Tell her to concoct some excuse to Ethan. She owes you. And me. End of problem.’
    ‘Don’t you th ink she’s already tried that?’
    I turned to face Jamie. ‘Has she?’
    ‘Yes! She started off telling Ethan that the line of work didn’t interest her. Then she voiced concern over them both living and working together – that it might ruin their relationship. She’s trotted out every excuse under the sun. Ethan won’t take no for an answer. He wants her working for us. And professionally there’s no reason why she shouldn’t.’
    I sighed . Turned to look out the window. My face