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everything I did, he wanted to get into my life! Look at the way he came and poked around

my bedroom. No wonder he seemed so bloody interested. I expect he was taking notes all the

time. I expect he had a Dictaphone in his pocket. And I just… invited him in.' I take a deep

gulp of schnapps and give a little shudder. 'I am never going to trust a man again. Never.'

'But he seemed so nice!' says Lissy dolefully. 'I just can't believe he was being so cynical.'

'Lissy…' I look up. 'The truth is, a man like that doesn't get to the top without being ruthless

and trampling over people. It just doesn't happen.'

'Doesn't it?' She stares back at me, her brow crumpled. 'Maybe you're right. God, how

depressing.'

'Is that Emma?' comes a piercing voice, and Jemima appears on the balcony in a white robe

and face mask, her eyes narrowed furiously. 'So! Miss I-never-borrow-your-clothes. What

have you got to say about my Prada slingbacks?'

Oh God. There's no point lying about it, is there?

'They're really pointy and uncomfortable?' I say with a little shrug, and Jemima inhales

sharply.

'I knew it! I knew it all along. You do borrow my clothes. What about my Joseph jumper?

What about my Gucci bag?'

'Which Gucci bag?' I shoot back defiantly.

For moment Jemima flounders for words.

'All of them!' she says at last. 'You know, I could sue you for this. I could take you to the

cleaners!' She brandishes a piece of paper at me. 'I've got a list here of items of apparel which

I fully suspect have been worn by someone other than me during the last three months-'

'Oh shut up about your stupid clothes,' says Lissy. 'Emma's really upset. She's been

completely betrayed and humiliated by the man she thought loved her.'

'Well, surprise, surprise, let me just faint with shock,' says Jemima tartly. 'I could have told

you that was going to happen. I did tell you! Never tell a man all about yourself, it's bound to

lead to trouble. Did I not warn you?'

'You said she wouldn't get a rock on her finger!' exclaims Lissy. 'You didn't say, he will pitch

up on television, telling the nation all her private secrets. You know, Jemima, you could be a

bit more sympathetic.'

'No, Lissy, she's right,' I say miserably. 'She was completely right all along. If I'd just kept my

stupid mouth shut, then none of this would have happened.' I reach for the schnapps bottle and

morosely pour myself another glass. 'Relationships are a battle. They are a chess game. And

what did I do? I just threw all my chess pieces down on the board at once, and said, "Here!

Have them all!"' I take a gulp of my drink. 'The truth is, men and women should tell each

other nothing. Nothing.'

'I couldn't agree more,' says Jemima. 'I'm pla

possible-' She breaks off as the cordless phone in her hand gives a shrill ring.

'Hi!' she says, switching it on. 'Camilla? Oh. Er… OK. Just hang on a moment.'

She puts her hand over the receiver and looks at me, wide-eyed. 'It's Jack!' she mouths.

I stare back in utter shock.

Somehow I'd almost forgotten Jack existed in real life. All I can see is that face on the

television screen, smiling and nodding and slowly leading me to my humiliation.

'Tell him Emma doesn't want to speak to him!' hisses Lissy.

'No! She should speak to him,' hisses back Jemima. 'Otherwise he'll think he's won.'

'But surely-'

'Give it to me!' I say, and grab the phone out of Jemima's hand, my heart thumping. 'Hi,' I say,

in as curt a tone as I can muster.

'Emma, it's me,' comes Jack's familiar voice, and with no warning, I feel a rush of emotion

which almost overwhelms me. I want to cry. I want to hit him, hurt him…

But somehow, I keep control of myself.

'I never want to speak to you again,' I say. I switch off the phone, breathing rather hard.

'Well done!' says Lissy.