Page 116 of Escape to the Country

Chapter 39

Eleanor hadn’t been in anywhere like The Club since she had left London.

She realised she had come out wearing her old clothes, no make-up and her hair a mess. But she didn’t care. She was too worried about Megan to think about what she looked like.

She tried to think positively as they weaved their way through the hordes of good-looking people. It was Friday night so the place was packed.

‘There she is!’ hissed Annie, nudging her in the side.

Eleanor followed her gaze to the VIP area. There, under an unforgiving strobe light, was Megan, sitting with a man.

As they edged through the crowd, Annie said, ‘Who’s the guy?’

‘I know who that is,’ said Eleanor. ‘That’s Gareth from school. The one she’s been messaging on Facebook.’

Annie was shocked. ‘What shall we do?’

‘Let’s get a bit nearer,’ said Eleanor.

They managed to manoeuvre themselves near to the next table along, which had just become vacant and hid behind a large pot plant. Thankfully, the couple were needing to shout to hear each other above the hubbub around them.

Eleanor peered through the leaves of the fake fern at his profile. Gareth hadn’t aged well. His eyes were smaller than she remembered, the face bloated.

She could just about see Megan taking a large swig of champagne and looking very nervous.

‘God, you’re still so sexy,’ shouted Gareth, casually putting one arm along the back of where she sat.

‘Me?’ giggled Megan, taking another large swig from her glass. She was wearing a strappy top with a low V-neck which Eleanor had never seen before.

‘I can’t believe it,’ he carried on. ‘Three rug rats and you’ve still got a hot body.’

Rugrats? Eleanor exchanged a cross look with Annie, who was now glaring at Gareth.

‘What about you?’ they heard Megan ask.

‘Not married and definitely no kids. I’m too busy having fun.’ Eleanor could see him run a finger down Megan’s bare arm. ‘Fun with hot women like you.’

Megan was shuffling in her seat. She was obviously uncomfortable.

‘So what kind of work do you do?’ she asked, sipping from her glass.

‘I’m a love doctor, baby,’ he said, leaning forward and suddenly kissing her on the lips.

Megan sprang away. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Come on,’ drawled Gareth. ‘Don’t go all coy on me now. You know you want it. Why else were you flirting with me on Facebook?’

‘Look, I’m sorry,’ stammered Megan, standing up. ‘I made a mistake. I’m happily married.’

‘Come on. You bored housewives are all the same. Gagging for it,’ said Gareth.

That was it. Eleanor and Annie sprang up at the same time and rushed around the pot plant.

Annie grabbed Megan’s arm and snapped, ‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘What are you doing here?’ said Megan, staring wide-eyed at her friends.

‘This is an inter-friend-ion,’ said Eleanor, reaching for the bucket of champagne and tipping the ice into Gareth’s lap. ‘Time for you to cool down, you sleazebag,’ she told him.