Page 74 of Lessons in Life

‘Rubbish!’ I felt my pulse race, knowing there was more than a glimmer of truth in what Fabian was saying. ‘And your mother and Julius cooked it all up between them that she’d swan in and make an appearance. It was all planned. A way to make me feel embarrassed, left out… Silly!’

‘Yes.’ Fabian nodded. ‘But that’s my problem. They’re my family and their behaviour yesterday was unforgivable. I’ve already had words. As has Dad on your behalf.’

‘Your mother wants you and Alexandra together again.’ It was a statement rather than a question and I scowled across at Fabian.

Fabian nodded again. ‘Yes. With Alexandra being the daughter of my mother’s best friend, both families were delighted when Alex and I got together.’

‘I bet they were.’ Pictures of Fabian and Alexandra at family Christmases; Fabian and Alexandra on family holidays; Fabian and Alexandra planning their future together crowded and fought for space in my head, and I shook it to dispel the images. ‘And distraught when you were no longer a couple?’

‘Yes.’ Fabian drained his glass before reaching for the bottle to pour more wine.

‘Should you be drinking after such a bad migraine?’

‘What are you now? My doctor?’ Fabian scowled back in return, but replaced the bottle on the floor without refilling his glass.

‘So, were you childhood sweethearts or something?’ I was determined not to let it go.

‘Alex and I broke up last March.’

‘March?’I stared. ‘But that was just two months before we met.’

‘It was.’

‘No wonder your mother was so upset when I turned up at her charity do on your arm: Alexandra gone and me in her place.’

‘Alex and I were on a break,’ Fabian said. ‘Trying to work out what we wanted. Where the relationship was going. If anywhere.’

‘A break? How much of a break? A total rupture or just a fracture that needed a bit of a sticking plaster to make it mend and whole again? Could you be a little more specific, Fabian, please? And you didn’t think to tell me this when you were intent on tracking me down at Graphite? When you were feeding me ice-cream kisses on the riverbank on our first date?’

‘I didn’t want to scare you off. Alex and I were on a break because I was unable to get my head around where Alex and I were going. What I wanted.’

‘What do you mean where you were going? What you wanted?’ The sick feeling I’d had all day didn’t appear to be shifting at Fabian’s explanation.

Fabian shrugged. ‘I was already beginning to realise that continuing to defend murderers and violent rapists wasn’t what I wanted. It was making me ill. Alex couldn’t understand what I was feeling. I wasn’t much fun to live with… She had a fling with one of her colleagues… I don’t blame her… I wasn’t in a good place…’

‘Well,Iblame her.’ I was furious, hating the thought of Fabian being cheated on. Hated the beautiful blonde who’d done this to him. ‘Were you terribly hurt?’

Fabian nodded. ‘But I can only blame myself. I wasn’t giving her any attention. I guess I was very depressed at where my work was taking me.’ He smiled, reaching for my hand. ‘But then I met you. You were utterly different from anyone I’d known before.’

‘Well, yes, I’ve nail-varnished holes in my tights and a dysfunctional family.’

‘Robyn, I fell in love with you. Youmustknow that. Youdoknow that.’

‘But, Fabian, what the hell is she doing in Yorkshire? Joel’s brief, for heaven’s sake? Did she follow you up here?’

‘Alex was at university in Leeds. She says – although I’m not convinced – she always loved this part of the country and, as her twin sister now lives in Ilkley?—’

‘Jesus, there’s two of them?’ Despite my anguish, I felt a little nervous chortle start and quickly swallowed it down. This was no time for laughter. ‘Bloody hell, that’s all I need – another one just like her.’

Ignoring me, Fabian continued. ‘When we decided to call it a day, she took the opportunity to move up to be near her sister, taking a promotion with the large firm of solicitors that’s dealing with Joel’s case.’

‘Bit of a coincidence, isn’t it? And you didn’t know?’

‘I’d no idea who Joel’s solicitors were. Why would I? I’d never even met Joel. Until today.’

‘You’ve met Joel now? You’ve actually agreed to taking his case?’ I stared, taking in the dark suit and briefcase at Fabian’s feet.

‘Not if you don’t want me to.’

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