Page 4 of Loving Netta Wilde

‘What she said. It really isn’t true.’ It sounded a bit desperate. He knew it would, but he couldn’t stop himself saying it.

Her expression was impassive, making it difficult for him to read her. But then, when could he ever do that? ‘If you say so, Colin.’

Okay then. It seemed there was no need to worry about the expression. The words told him all he needed to know about what she was thinking.

3

THE MOST CIVILISED CONVERSATION

The sound of a creak on the landing woke Netta up. Not that she’d been properly asleep. How could she be? Frank had suggested they spent the night at his. She’d been tempted, but the thought of Colin in her house, poking his nose in her things made her say no. Silly really, because she’d be at work tomorrow morning and then he’d be able to poke around as much as he wanted to. But it felt like she was making a stand by staying, like she was making it clear to him that she knew his game and she was not going to let him play it.

Today had been awkward. Arianne shouting that word through the letterbox had hit her like a slap in the face. She was no fan of Arianne. Couldn’t stand the woman, if she was honest. But it didn’t mean she deserved that kind of treatment. Abuse. Such a strong word. Such an unkind word. Colin had denied it. Naturally. But then he would, wouldn’t he? When did he ever think he’d done anything wrong?

She closed her eyes, willing herself to go back to sleep but another creak forced them open. Lying next to her, Frank let out a little sigh. She looked him over. It was a sleep-sigh, nothing more. He was dead to the world, a sign of his new-found interestin all things healthy. Earlier in the year, he’d gone on a road trip with his brother and cousin. Since then, his cousin who was a sort of personal trainer and health guru had taken him in hand. Frank was on the way to becoming leaner, fitter, and generally more glowy. In the meantime, all this exercise was making him drop off as soon as he climbed into bed. It was a killer on the romance front. Not that she was looking for any action when her ex-husband was across the way.

There were movements on the stairs. She doubted it was Liza. Her daughter was another heavy sleeper and besides, she knew how to avoid the creaky parts of this old house. They all did. Except Colin. Her first thought was the dogs. Her youngest dog, Betty, would be in Liza’s room, but the oldest, Maud, always slept on her favourite chair in the lounge. For some reason, Netta was overcome with concern for her, which was illogical because as far as she knew, Colin had no history of animal cruelty. But illogical as it was, she was up and reaching for her dressing gown.

Skipping over the noisy parts of the staircase, she made her way silently down and poked her head around the study door. It was empty. On the other side of the hall was the lounge. There was a bluish light in there coming from the sofa. Maud was sitting upright in her chair. She glanced up at Netta, let out a grumbly little growl and then looked back at the sofa where Colin was hunched over his phone.

‘Colin.’

He jolted and dropped the phone. ‘Shit. Sorry, you startled me. Did I wake you? I was trying to be quiet.’

Netta moved over to the armchair and put a protective hand on Maud. ‘I’m a light sleeper and it’s an old house. Creaks and groans everywhere.’

‘Cosy though. Homely.’

‘That’s how I prefer it.’ She thought of Colin’s house, their old home. It was nearly as old as this one but the inside was all very modern and sleek. She’d had no hand in its decoration when she lived there. He’d made sure of that.

He pointed to Maud. ‘I don’t think she likes me.’

‘She’s very discerning. Did you come down for anything in particular?’

‘I couldn’t sleep. Mind’s racing.’

‘I have some herbal tea if you want it. Some sort of night-time concoction my friend Neil swears by. Smells a bit like old socks but it tastes okay. I drink it when I’m desperate.’

One corner of his mouth turned up into a half smile. ‘That would be very nice. Thank you.’

Netta flicked on the light in the kitchen. Colin shuffled in after her like a weary old man. She noticed how thin he looked in his baggy sweatpants and T-shirt. It had struck her earlier that his cheekbones and jawline were more prominent than the last time she’d seen him. Liza had mentioned something about him and Arianne being on a natural foods diet and she’d put it down to that. But those sorts of diets were supposed to be healthy, weren’t they? Colin didn’t look healthy.

She gestured towards the breakfast room. ‘I usually drink it in there. Take a seat. I’ll bring it in.’

He was looking out into the moonlit garden when she took the teas in. ‘I thought I saw something out there. Probably a fox.’

‘I expect so. We have at least one that visits regularly. Have you decided what you’re going to do?’ They’d talked briefly about options earlier. Mostly it was Netta and Frank doing the talking with some input from Liza. Colin had said very little. He’d seemed a bit shell-shocked.

‘Not exactly. I suppose I should talk to a solicitor but … I don’t know. I’ve tried calling her. She won’t answer. I’ve messaged.’

‘Any reply?’

He shook his head. ‘I could always stake the house out, I suppose. Wait till she goes out and let myself in with Liza’s key. She can’t stay in there forever.’

‘Well, it’s a plan. Sort of.’

‘Sort of? I thought it was pretty good.’ He smiled at her, the way he used to when she first met him, shy and a little bit lost. That smile had helped to heal her heart once after it had been ripped apart by someone else. Colin had nursed it and put it back together. Pity he then crushed it and tossed it onto the scrap heap.

‘If you have Liza’s key, can’t you just let yourself in anytime?’

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