A Perfect Obsession Read Free Page B

mind and his easy erudition. He loved the fact that Leo, like him, had come up the hard way, from humble beginnings in a dreary Welsh town, to achieve a position as one of the most respected commercial silks in London. He regarded Leo as a kindred spirit. He had worshipped him back then, taken every chance to sit with him in court, watching and learning. He felt he owed much of his own present success to Leo.
    Anthony flung the tape aside and sighed. Maybe he shouldn’t get so hung up about all this. Sarah could sleep with Leo if she wanted. She’d slept with just about everyone else. The truth was that it was Leo he blamed. He took his pleasure where he pleased and did untold damage. It had been that way with Rachel. No sooner had Anthony set his sights on her than Leo had moved in, seduced her, married her for God knows what selfish reason, all without regard for Anthony’s feelings. Not that Rachel had ever cared about Anthony, but still … The fact was, he had been angry with Leo ever since finding Sarah at Leo’s flat that night, and he couldn’t seem to get rid of the feeling. Not that it seemed to bother Leo much. He scarcely acknowledged that there was anything wrong. At the bottom of it all, Anthony knew, lay his own jealousy. He was jealous of anyone who took Leo’s time and affection. He hated Leo’s promiscuity as much as he hated the deep emotional attachments Leo occasionally formed, as he had done with Joshua. In fact, he was thoroughly confused and fed up with caring about Leo. Well, it was finished. He didn’t want to become part of Leo’s weird world. He’d just have to try and get rid of this feeling of resentment and make something civilized of their relationship. He hadn’t spoken properly to Leo for ages. He’d make a start later this afternoon by going to tell Leo about the meeting of the museum trustees tomorrow night.

    Leo was gathering up his belongings at six when Anthony knocked on his door and looked in. Leo paused in bemused surprise, then carried on putting papers into his briefcase. That Anthony should come to see him meant nothing. It might simply be about chambers business. Leo closed his briefcase, waiting for Anthony to speak. Anthony glanced round theroom, which was quite different from his own, light and modern, the desk of polished ash, clear of clutter, the pictures on the walls expensive abstracts. Its appearance, like Leo’s, was of expensive minimalism, giving nothing away.
    Anthony came into the room and closed the door, then said diffidently, ‘I just came to tell you that Chay rang me earlier.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘He couldn’t get hold of you. Asked me to tell you that he’s holding a meeting of the trustees tomorrow evening. It’s short notice, but he’s decided to try and bring the opening forward to early March and he wants to discuss arrangements.’
    Leo flicked open his diary. ‘That’s all right. Did he mention a time?’
    ‘No–no, I forgot to ask. I’ll speak to him again tomorrow and let you know.’
    Leo nodded. He lifted his briefcase off the desk and crossed the room to take his coat from the hanger on the back of the door. Anthony still stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. He was looking for a way to use this opportunity to make peace, Leo realised. Well, let Anthony take the initiative – it had been he, after all, who had created the antagonistic atmosphere of the past few months. He turned to look at him, and was suddenly moved by the uncertain, vulnerable expression on the younger man’s face. Anthony might have toughened up a lot over the past few years, but he still found it hard to deal with certain things.
    Leo took pity on him. ‘Are you going to the meeting tomorrow evening?’ he asked.
    ‘Yes–yes, I am. At least, Chay asked me along.’
    There was a pause, then Leo relented completely. ‘I’ll give you a lift, if you like. Assuming the thing’s around half-seven, as it usually is, we could go for a drink