Secrets After Dark Read Free Page A

can confide in about my relationship is my gay, gallery-owning ex-boss whom I’ve known for less than a year, but that’s how it is. He’s kind, broad-minded and not inexperienced in the sort of world I found myself in over the summer. And he cares about me in a platonic way that makes me feel safe and looked after.
    ‘No, no news.’
    ‘How long has it been now?’
    I stare down at the tabletop. James’s teacup sits there, half full of cooling tan-coloured liquid and I examine the reflections in its surface. ‘I’ve heard nothing since the day he left me. He sent me a text that night but since then, zilch.’
    ‘And have you contacted him?’
    I shake my head slowly. ‘He knows where I am. He said he’d be in touch.’
    James sighs, as if he’s saddened by my stubbornness and by Dominic’s vanishing act. Then he frowns. ‘But there’s something else?’
    I laugh despite myself. ‘James, how do you know me so well?’
    He smiles back, his thin face unexpectedly cheery-looking. ‘Darling, you’re an open book to me. You’ll never be a woman of mystery as far as I’m concerned, no matter how veiled and impenetrable you are to everyone else. I can read it all over you – and you’re practically trembling like a little aspen leaf. What’s happened?’
    I lean forward, my eyes sparkling. ‘I’m going to the South of France with Mark,’ I say excitedly, and tell him about the planned trip. Even as I speak, I can hardly believe it’s actually going to happen. Tomorrow. Oh my God.
    James doesn’t seem particularly enthused. I’d assumed he’d clap his hands, and congratulate himself at getting me this job with Mark, the kind of job that means I can travel and see the world, and not exactly budget-style either. But he’s looking more concerned than anything else.
    ‘Aren’t you pleased for me?’ I ask.
    He pauses before answering and then says slowly, ‘I’ve heard a lot about this Dubrovski character and from what I can make out, he’s not a particularly pleasant man. Now I don’t suppose that anyone rises from the slums of Moscow to unimaginable wealth as a commodities trader without having a bit of an edge to him. But nonetheless, he’s not someone I would want to come into close contact with. I don’t like the idea of you near him.’
    I smile at James’s protectiveness. ‘I’m not going to have anything to do with him. He’s Mark’s client. I’ll just be there to help Mark.’
    James narrows his eyes. ‘Then why are you in such a state?’
    ‘You could have a very successful second career as a criminal psychologist,’ I say, trying to sound jokey, ‘with your ability to read minds.’
    In that instant, he understands. Realisation fills his eyes and he looks at me with an expression of sympathy. ‘Oh, honey. You think he might give you some clue to where Dominic is.’
    My cheeks flush. It sounds ridiculous spoken aloud like that. ‘Well...’
    James evidently doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t want to rain on my parade and destroy my dream, but I can tell he also doesn’t want to get my hopes up in case of the all-too-likely disappointment. ‘It might happen, I suppose. After all, he does work for Dubrovski – at least, as far as we know he still does. But don’t pin too much on it, that’s all I’m saying.’
    ‘I won’t,’ I promise. ‘I know it’s not very likely. I’m not really thinking about it, to be honest.’ But I know the truth is that ever since Mark broke the news about the trip this morning, the hope has been growing inside me that somehow I’ll find out something about Dominic in France. Even Dubrovski just mentioning his name would make me feel closer to him. It’s the first ray of sunshine I’ve had in weeks. Even if it proves a false dawn, at least I can enjoy this hopeful moment while it lasts.
    ‘Let’s order you some food. You must be starving.’ James looks away to summon a passing waiter and I close my eyes for a moment to offer up a