Страница 69

'Co

never did.'

'Well… OK.' He rubs his nose awkwardly. 'But did you fake anything else?'

I look at him uncertainly. 'I'm not sure I know what you-'

'Were there any -' he clears his throat

'— any particular techniques I used which you only pretended to enjoy?'.

Oh God. Please don't ask me that question.

'You know, I really… can't remember!' I hedge. 'Actually, I ought to be going…'

'Emma, tell me!' he says, with sudden passion. 'I'm starting a new relationship. It's only fair

that I should be able to… to learn from past mistakes.'

I gaze back at his shiny face and suddenly feel a huge pang of guilt. He's right. I should be

honest. I should finally be honest with him.

'OK,' I say at last, and move closer to him. 'You remember that one thing you used to do with

your tongue?' I lower my voice still further. 'That… slidey thing? Well, sometimes that kind

of made me want to… laugh. So if I had one tip with your new girlfriend, it would be don't

do…'

I tail off at his expression.

Fuck. He's already done.it.

'Francesca said…' Co

turned her on.'

'Well, I'm sure it did!' I backtrack madly. 'Women are all different. Our bodies are all different

… everybody likes… different things.'

Co

'She said she loved jazz, too.'

'Well, I expect she does! Loads of people do like jazz.'

'She said she loved the way I could quote Woody Allen line for line.' He rubs his flushed face.

'Was she lying?'

'No, I'm sure she wasn't…' I tail off helplessly.

'Emma…' He stares at me bewilderedly. 'Do all women have secrets?'

Oh no. Have I ruined Co

'No!' I exclaim. 'Of course they don't! Honestly, Co

My words wither on my lips as I glimpse a flash of familiar-looking blond hair at the entrance

to the hall. My heart stops.

That can't be-

That's not-

'Co

'She told me she's size ten!' Co

should I really buy?'

'Twelve!' I shoot back over my shoulder.

It is. It's Jemima. Standing in the foyer. What's she doing here?

The door opens again and I experience such a shock, I feel faint. She's got a guy with her. In

jeans, with cropped hair and squirrelly eyes. He's got a camera slung over his shoulder and is

looking around interestedly.

No.

She can't have done.

'Emma,' comes a voice in my ear.

'Jack!' I wheel round, to see him smiling down at me, his dark eyes full of affection.

'You OK?' he says, and gently touches my nose.

'Fine!' I say a little shrilly. 'I'm great!'

I have to manage this situation. I have to.

'Jack — could you get me some water?' I hear myself saying. 'I'll just stay here. I'm feeling a

bit dizzy.' Jack looks alarmed.

'You know, I thought there was something wrong. Let me take you home. I'll call the car.'

'No. It's… it's fine. I want to stay. Just get me some water. Please,' I add as an afterthought.

As soon as he's gone I tear into the foyer, almost tripping up in my haste.

'Emma!' Jemima looks up brightly. 'Excellent! I was just about to look for you. Now, this is

Mick, and he wants to ask you some questions. We thought we'd use this little room here.' She

heads into a small, empty office which leads off from the foyer.