Page 34 of Cover Story

‘Yes,’ said Bel, flushing with indignance. ‘I don’t make things up?’

A bit of a ripe claim in light of Operation Get Bailey.

‘It’s not like you to delegate a confrontation, that’s all.’

‘Meaning what, I’m an aggro fishwife?’ Bel said.

‘No,’ Connor paused. It occurred to Bel he could be more antagonistic now she was relying on his help. ‘Why do you twist everything I say into the worst possible interpretation?’

‘Well, what else did you mean?’

‘Exactly what I said: you fight your own fights. I generally say what I think, I don’t do snide double meanings.’

‘Nor do I.’

‘Wait,’ Connor said, in a lower register, ‘when you said there was someone back in York who made you—’

Footsteps thundered on the stairs and Aaron burst into the room. Bel felt twofold gratitude: firstly at Connor’s revelation being interrupted, and secondly at Aaron being alone.

‘Fuck me what a tedious muppet!’ he said, ‘You weren’t kidding.Just let me say hi to Isabel and I’ll be out of your hair …No mate. Not falling for it. Back toButton Moonin your bean can.’

Connor and Bel shared a look that said Connor knew he was right.

‘Superb work, Parry, well done,’ Bel said. ‘I owe you a pint.’

‘You’re on, let’s head down at half five,’ Aaron said, checking the wall clock. A pause. ‘Connor, want to join?’

‘Thanks, but my girlfriend’s visiting,’ Connor said, Bel felt sure, with relief.

‘Ah, that’s nice. What’s her name?’

‘Jennifer.’

‘Ah, the lady from your photograph.’ Aaron pointed with his pen. ‘Gonna show her the local sights?’

‘Yep, full tour of theCoronation Streetset booked.’

‘Really?’ Aaron said.

‘No, not really,’ Connor replied, as Bel laughed.

Half an hour later, it was Pub o’ Clock.

‘Have fun with Jennifer! Have a good weekend,’ Aaron called, and Connor mutteredthanks and youbefore departing, with barely a nod in Bel’s direction. She couldn’t fault her undercover boyfriend for maintaining the persona on this side of the bargain, that was for sure.

When the door downstairs slammed, Aaron said: ‘That fuckin’ guy is about as entertaining as the fireplace channel.’

‘Without the illusion of warmth.’

Bel saw she had another email from Anthony. This time it was one line and made her even more nauseous than before.

If you’re going to play games with me, Isabel, then expect me to play back.

21

Connor stood in the milling crowds in Manchester Piccadilly, hands in pockets, and waited for the electronic board to tell him the 4.33 p.m. from London Euston had arrived at platform seven.

He’d have been apprehensive about Jen’s visit as it was, but with the newfound necessity of asking her to moonlight as his sister, he was experiencing vague dread.

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