Page 87 of Cover Story

Connor switched it off.

Bel turned back to a frightened-looking Anthony.

‘There we are, Connor has got a video of our whole interaction. I’m willing to have that replayed in a police interview, or a court, or in front of your wife. I stand by everything I said. Do you feel the same?’

‘Fuck you,’ Anthony said to her, a mask dropping. ‘Seriously, fuck what a horrible person you are, despite this … “responsible feminist” persona.’

‘Thought so. Bye, Anthony. For good this time.’

She slammed the door. She turned, leaned against it and heaved shaky breaths as her pulse rate descended.

‘And scene,’ Connor said. ‘For the avoidance of doubt, you were magnificent.’

49

‘I’d like some credit for not sticking my head up and interrupting: “How did you know my name is Chad Thundercock? How much fucking research have you done?” by the way,’ Connor said, and there was a second before Bel collapsed on the sofa in helpless laughter. ‘The temptation was crippling.’

‘You know he’s halfway to Oxford Road right now,’ Connor said, ‘and he’s thinking … “She’s KEPT my emails?Still got it.”’

Connor made a finger guns at his groin gesture.

Bel shrieked: ‘Oh, fuck you, Adams! That makes me think I’ll get an email tonight.’

‘Fifty quid says you don’t. I was right before and I’m right now. Accept that I keep being right.’

Something about their trouncing of that crazy Anthony combined with the fact he was a ridiculous little popinjay was now making both Bel and Connor mildly hysterical, as the adrenaline left their bodies.

‘I can’t believe he’s decided how I feel about him, on my behalf? That I don’t get a vote?’ Bel said. ‘Saying, “Your rejection proves you are in turmoil over me”? It was “no means yes and yes means yes.”’

‘You did so well to keep calm. I couldn’t quite believe it,’Connor said. ‘I’ve never heard anyone Flat Earth like that. “You love me.” “No I don’t.” “That’s exactly what someone in love with me would say.” Twinned souls, haha. Like twinning Paris with Little Shitlingham.’

He’d unguardedly called Bel ‘Paris’ and hoped she’d not notice. Actually, he was trying not to notice.

‘Stomach turning, isn’t it? You see why I said it’s pointless to argue with him? Everything you say is more wood thrown on to the fire.’

‘I think the man is an absolute danger,’ Connor said.

‘God, it feels good to have a witness. Shilpa has supported me every step of the way but you actuallyheardhow he talks to me when he thinks we are alone … How the fuck did he get my address? Work wouldn’t have given it to him, it’s not online anywhere,’ Bel pulled at the neck strings on her hooded top.

‘When he wanted your phone number, didn’t he go to your ex-boyfriend?’ Connor said.

‘Yes, but Tim doesn’t have my address here.’

‘Then he went to someone else close to you who wouldn’t know who he is.’

‘Oh … God.’

Bel did some rapid texting.

Her phone lit up with a reply. Bel read aloud: ‘Oh dear yes– months ago. A nice man from theYorkshire Postcalled for a chat, said your old team wanted to send “good luck in Manchester” flowers to you and for it to be a surprise. Should I not have told him?’

‘Utter bastard!My mum,’ Bel said. ‘So he had my address from the start but he didn’t want to give it away easily, must’ve thought he’d use it to best effect when he wasinManchester.I can’t believe you sussed it all from his using the word “apartment”. Astonishing, really.’

‘I’m actually disturbed that I can get inside his thinking. You said he left you at 1.00 a.m. last time. I assumed someone who can’t afford nights away from his spouse when he’s booked the hotel room was going to treat a legitimate reason to be overnight in the same city as you as gold-dust rare opportunity. He’d have anticipated you walking away from him so his backup would be to make sure he knew where you lived. I know any normal person would think that’s blatant stalking, going to completely freak her out, etc. But, newsflash: he isn’t normal.’

‘What fucks me up is finding out what a normal-presenting person can persuade themselves is justified, if it’s them. Principles disappear. I feel sure if a stalking and harassment story landed on the paper’s news list, Ant would condemn the perpetrator. But once it’s him doing it, it’s noble Anthony’s quest.’

‘Notthatnormal presenting. The mid-life crisis goatee is a huge red flag. He looks like Mr Tumnus.’

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