Page 56 of Always Beth
‘Do you take sugar?’ I ask.
‘One please.’
The kitchen falls silent besides the vigorous clinking of the teaspoon against our cups. I can only stir these for so long before I finally have to turn and face the music. With a deep breath, I place her cup down and take a seat in front of her.
‘I don’t know what we’re going to achieve here. I didn’t know, I swear to you,’ I say finally.
‘I wanted to see for myself, the woman who’s captured my James’ heart.’ Clutching her cup, she pulls it towards her, taking a sip. I was half expecting to be wearing her tea by now.
‘Oh, I haven’t, it’s not like that.’
‘Oh. So you don’t have feelings for him then?’
Yes. ‘No.’
‘That’s disappointing.’
‘Disappointing? I’m sorry, have I missed something, or have I entered The fucking Twilight Zone?’
She laughs as she rests back in her chair. I look around my kitchen expectantly, surely I’m being pranked and any second the hidden cameras are going to appear.
‘You’re just as I imagined. I can see why he likes you. I thought there was something going on, but you know he’s so secretive.’
‘So, you knew about me?’
‘I had my suspicions, but he only told me about you yesterday. After you gave him the ultimatum to end all ultimatums.’
‘Oh god, I was drunk, I’m so sorry. There’s no choice, I should never have said that. He chose you, he did the right thing.’
She stares into her tea, her face settling into a hard frown. ‘He always chooses me, Beth.’
‘Rightly so.’
She shakes her head. ‘Not this time.’
Not this time? How many times has he done this? I drop my head into my upturned palms and repeatedly massage my temples. What fucked-up world am I living in?
‘Beth, I need to put you out of your misery.’
I crane my head and peer at her through my fingertips. Whatever this is, it’s not going to be good.
‘James isn’t my husband. He’s my brother.’
My mouth becomes even drier than it already was and as last night’s conversation races through my mind, I suddenly feel sick with embarrassment.
‘Brother…’
‘Brother,’ she repeats firmly.
If they’re siblings that means…
The churning in my stomach immediately ceases and I allow my heart to soar slightly. At first, I think it’s the relief at knowing I’m not an accessory to adultery. Then I realise, it’s the knowledge that he’s been honourable this whole time. But why so secretive?
‘Why didn’t he tell me?’ I say quietly.
‘He’s very private and very protective of me.’
I smile as I imagine him looking after her, protecting her. He’s a good man. When I first opened the door, I was convinced she was his wife. I’d have put money on it. They look so close in age it’s believable.
