Page 111 of Cover Story

Bel’s apprehension increased. This didn’t feel like an amnesty. More of a build-up.

‘Probably for the best. All I know is she wishes them well,’ Bel said.

‘That’s a lie, but then you’re very comfortable with those.’

Bel took a moment to catch up with the savagery, as it was spoken as if casual observation.

‘Erm … what?’

‘Why did you come off social media right after we split up?’ Tim said. Oh.Thiswas why Tim was here: settling scores.

Bel was sweating now, her underarms hot. There was no shower running and Connor could hear everything.

‘Needed the head space and I realised it worked well for the Manchester job.’

‘You didn’t get offered that job until months later. Another lie.’

‘I said I “realised”.’

‘You also changed your mobile number?’ Tim said.

Oh God. Now, today …

‘Yes. I was getting loads of spam callers and as I’d deleted my apps I thought, fresh start …’

‘Lie number three. Racking up.’

‘What is this? Why are you having a go at me?’

‘It wasn’t an “Anthony Barr” that made you do all that?’

Bel’s heart was pounding so hard it must be audible. Had Anthony contacted Tim? Despite knowing Bel had the video? Was this his coup de grâce?

‘What? No!’

‘You weren’t shagging this bloke when we were together?’

Time momentarily ground to a halt for Bel in the stark horror of receiving this long overdue, assumed-never-arriving, j’accuse.

‘No?!’

‘Yeah, I’m afraid fucking muggins here finally worked it out, Bel. Couldn’t understand why this random guy was the first view on my Stories for months, turned up as visiting my LinkedIn too. Got stalker vibes, but why would a man I didn’t know stalk me? Then he’s sending me a weirdo message trying to find your new number. I couldn’t place where I knew the name from at first. You were shagging him when we were together and ghosted him, right?’

‘No and no.’

‘Who is he then?’

‘An ex-colleague who developed a thing about me.’

‘Developed a thing, without you doing anything to encourage a thing?’

‘Yes.’

‘While we were still together?’

Bel licked dry lips. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. ‘Overlapped slightly, yes.’

‘Why not tell me about him?’

---