The Way We Were_ A Novel - Marcia Willett [71]
She'd got over it, of course, pulled herself together – but the idea was there now, fixed at the back of her mind. Not that she and Chris were remotely involved – of course they weren't – but it would be untruthful to say that either of them was totally unaware of the other. She remembered how she'd stood up on the Tor and allowed herself the brief enchanting vision of running Penharrow with Chris: how tempting, how desirable a prospect it had been. She'd pushed it to one side and imagined no harm was done but she understood a little better now. She'd laughed at the idea, pretended that she and Chris were proof against the danger; now she wasn't quite so confident – and she had Matt's offer to consider. Perhaps she'd got it wrong when she'd said to Aunt Em that she was providing a comfort zone for Chris and Val; perhaps it was the other way round. Did she dare to accept the challenge of Matt's proposals?
Myra had come in, ready for the afternoon shift, and Liv left her to it and went out into the yard. Chris was there, talking to a young woman who'd just got out of an open-topped sports car. She was laughing, frowning against the sun, and he turned, gesticulating towards the annexe; but as soon as he saw Liv his face changed, he beckoned to her, and he turned back to say something to the woman, who now slammed the car door and came towards her.
With a jolt beneath her diaphragm Liv saw that it was Cat; thin as a pin, shiny black hair curving across her cheeks, chic in linen trousers and a black shirt. Her skin was the colour of treacle. Slim though she knew herself to be, Liv felt clumsy and dowdy, and furious at being caught off guard in an old T-shirt and jeans, with her hair dragged back.
She saw that Cat was smiling, a sly secret smile: how odd it was that the slant-eyed look that had been so ugly in the child should be so attractive in the woman.
‘Liv,’ she was saying, thoroughly enjoying Liv's discomfiture. ‘Hi. What a fab place. Andy told me all about it and I couldn't wait to see it.’ She made as if to embrace Liv who instinctively stepped back, folding her arms across her breast. Cat looked amused at this childish gesture of rejection and glanced at Chris as if to make certain that he'd noticed it. ‘We're old friends,’ she told him, her smile widening, black eyes glinting. ‘Aren't we, Liv? Andy sends his love.’
Liv felt wrong-footed, helpless, and it was Chris who came to her rescue. She realized with relief that he'd remembered their conversation in the office, made the connection, and now he moved closer to her, as if to protect her.
‘I'm glad you like Penharrow,’ he said pleasantly. ‘I'm Chris Todd. My wife and I own it but we have Liv to thank for its success.’
Cat raised her eyebrows and her glance slid between them. ‘How very nice,’ she drawled. ‘I remember now. Weren't you two an item once? Andy said something about it.’ She held out her hand to him. ‘I'm Cat Lisburne.’ They shook hands ‘I'm staying with friends in Rock but perhaps we could catch up on old times while I'm down, Liv? We could have some coffee one morning, if Chris can spare you. Andy says you have a café here.’
She was looking round, taking it all in. Chris caught Liv's eye, gave a tiny shrug.
‘Yes, of course,’ said Liv flatly ‘Why not?’
Cat laughed; it was as if she'd scored a point. ‘Great. I'll be back soon. Must dash.’
She got back into her car, drove away with a flourish of her hand, whilst Liv stood staring after her, her arms still crossed over her breast.
‘So that's the beastly girl the family hates,’ said Chris. ‘She's a bit