Page 251 of Double or Nothing

“I’ve heard you’ve grown close to Bryce Maddocks again. Such a shame about him and Catherine.”

“Sylvia,” I say. “He was married to Sylvia. And yes, we’ve been spending time together. Art circles.”

“Should I be concerned? I’ve been told you’ve been close to other people as well.”

Jesus, Dad doesn’t waste any time. Has he shown Christopher a portrait picture from the casino with most wanted written at the top?

Typical Dad. One of his best friends is about to die, and he’s still got his hackles up about Jack Reid.

“Is that how you imagine this works?” I ask Christopher. “You arrive and scope out which of my friends concern you?”

“I’m making conversation, that’s all.”

Bryce eventually crosses the room, but it’s because Dad sends him. I see him pointing a finger in our direction.

“Christopher,” Bryce says when he arrives next to us, and there is the same flash of contempt I had for him, written all over his face.

“Bryce. Lovely to see you.”

Like hell it is.

They shake hands. The atmosphere is so awkward you could saw it apart with a bread knife.

“Welcome home,” Bryce says.

“Good to be back.”

“Your father’s solicitor would like a few minutes with you later.”

“Of course.”

Bryce looks at me.

“Alice.”

“Bryce.”

“You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”

“Did you get home all right?”

Such an ordinary question.

Such a devastating one.

“Yes. I did thanks. All good.”

One of the biggest lies on the planet.

“You were together earlier?” Christopher asks.

“Art,” I say. “Bryce has been helping me with Hammersmith.”

“Hammersmith?”

If it wasn’t for the fact that his dad is going to deteriorate before his very eyes in a few months’ time, I’d want to punch him in his smug mouth. At least do your research before you roll on up expecting marriage on a platter.