Tell Tale by Sam Hayes Read Free Book Online Page A

had shared holidays together, helped each other out with childcare, and Nina had even lent out Mick when Tom had gone into hospital for knee surgery. Mick had spent several evenings at Laura’s house using his engineering skills when her washing machine and car decided to pack up at the same time. The families were close; the women closer still.
    ‘And what about Boss from Hell?’ Nina laughed. She knew deep down Laura loved her banking job. ‘Admit it, you’d be bored stiff without him.’
    ‘He’s not retired yet, put it that way.’ Laura shook her head. ‘He’s still as cantankerous as ever. The department took on a new assistant last Monday. It meant I’d be able to eat lunch, perhaps have the odd holiday here and there.’ Laura shook her head. ‘The poor girl had resigned by Wednesday.’
    Nina laughed. ‘Guess he’ll never change.’
    ‘Bit like Tom, then,’ Laura said, sighing. ‘You’d think with all the practice I get at work dealing with miserable buggers, I’d be able to figure out my husband.’
    ‘Not necessarily true,’ Nina said, knowing she wasn’t really helping. She felt hideously guilty that despite the usual niggling disagreements, she and Mick were as content now as they were the day they’d married. Despite moaning about Josie’s occasionally sullen behaviour, they had an easy ride compared to most parents. Having only one daughter meant their emotional focus was always on her. But theywere equally careful not to overindulge her, although she’d had to chastise Mick occasionally for turning Josie into a daddy’s girl.
    They’d tried for another child over the years, but it hadn’t worked out. They dealt with the strain that had brought, but it was nothing compared to what Laura was going through now. Once Mick and Nina had accepted that it would just be the three of them, life had got back on track.
    She reached for Laura’s hand, this time insisting it slipped into hers. She didn’t know how to help. ‘Things will work out for the best.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Try focusing on what you’ve got, rather than what you haven’t.’
    ‘I know. I know.’ Laura wiped her fingers down her face. ‘I’m lucky in so many respects. But I swear the counsellor was right, Nina. Tom’s acting like a man distracted.’ She let out a sob. ‘The stupid thing is, I know deep down he doesn’t want to hurt me.’
    Nina picked up the menu. ‘I prescribe two hot chocolate fudge cakes.’ She beckoned the waiter over. She understood Laura’s reasoning. Knowing Tom for nearly as long as she’d known Laura, a part of her believed that, yes, he was capable of lying to his wife; that his slightly aloof character, his private side, could lead him into trouble. She could read Mick’s every thought by the expression on his face, each little mannerism, but Tom seemed much more closed-off.
    ‘I’ll pass,’ Laura said, sending the waiter away. She quickly drank the remainder of her wine. ‘You’ll have to let me in on your secret.’ Laura gave a warped grin and banged down her glass. For the first time ever, Nina detectedbitterness. ‘Being so happy and all that. How do you do it? Is it something in the water down your street?’
    ‘No, I think it’s—’
    ‘Nina, I wasn’t being serious. But let’s be realistic here. Your perfect marriage is probably as much a burden to you as my shit one is to me.’
    ‘What do you mean?’ Nina stiffened. Her friend had had too much to drink.
    ‘Well, think about it. When things turn sour, you’ve got further to fall than me, hon. That’s all I’m saying.’ Laura stood and went to fetch her coat.
    The waiter slipped the bill in front of Nina and hovered beside the table until she paid. Shaken, Nina joined her friend in the street. Laura was leaning against a lamp post, smoking a cigarette.
    ‘I’ve never thought of it like that before,’ Nina said, removing the cigarette from between Laura’s fingers, thinking about how far she