Page 64 of The Little Porto Book Club

Zephyr shakes her head. ‘No, we wanted to wait for you guys. Only seems fair to do this together.’

‘Thanks.’ I smile. Just what might we find on the opposite side of that door? ‘OK, so who offers to be tribute?’

‘I’ll go,’ Thomas says bravely. ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’

If it were my door, there’s a very real chance he’d be beaten back with the cordless vacuum because I don’t appreciate a drop-in. ‘Who knows what lies beyond?’

‘I’ll take my chances.’

‘So brave!’ Tiago says with a laugh.

‘You can go with him,’ I say, and his laughter falls away.

‘Yes, yes, happy to. Was going to suggest it.’

They go to the door and knock. We’re collectively holding our breath. And …

There’s no answer.

They knock again and press the doorbell. They are risking being batted away with a broom.

‘Nothing?’

They return to the shade.

‘Well, I suggest we keep an eye on the place. See if there are any changes. Lights on, mail stuffed in the letterbox that’s cleared the next day, that sort of thing.’

We stare at the house. ‘I just expected she had some mansion, and the bad guy had all this money from nefarious reasons … this is a little underwhelming,’ Zephyr says. I hate to agree with her. This is just a normal residential home, in fact, it looks downright cosy, where only good things happen.

Chapter Forty-Two

Lucinda

No one tells you what a sheer thrill it is when you end a bad man’s life. Husband dearest held on to his rage until his very last breath, cursing and flailing until I pulled the metaphorical trigger. Now my biggest fear is that this might just become my new addiction. Forget designer clothes, fancy red-soled heels, extinguishing the light of men who hurt women might just be where I get my kicks. There are so many of them out there. Just last week I caught one, out late at night, close to the Dom Luis Bridge pestering a woman who was simply trying to make her way home. I followed him, just for fun. If I get away with this, and I’m certain I will, then maybe he’s next?

Chapter Forty-Three

Tiago reaches for my hand.

‘What are you doing?’

He leans in close, his breath tickles my neck and a jolt of electricity runs through me. To be expected when I’m attending yet another tedious family wedding where my voice has been silenced. Cousin Ida, with her bouffant hair, is in the middle of her vows, prettily crying her way through them. At least her groom didn’t dance his way up the aisle, he seems rather tame so far, so I am managing to keep my thoughts to myself. Now, I’ve only got to manage Tiago who is taking liberties such as these.

‘Didn’t we agree we’ve got to make it believable? Our relationship?’

That. We conferred earlier and decided that in the best interests of everyone, namely our mothers, we’d pretend our blossoming (faux) romance is going from strength to strength in the hopes the extended family don’t bother me today. They can’t exactly ask why my love life is a flop when I have a specimen like Tiago trailing happily behind me. And also because there are members of Tiago’s extended family in attendance and it’s guaranteed they’ll be reporting our every move back to Zeliá.

Tiago attempts to take my hand in his again and this time I allow it. And quickly after, regret it, when a number of heads swivel in our direction, swivelling away from bride Ida, who will not be happy when she watches that on the video replay. I do my best to keep my mouth clamped and to keep my palm secure in Tiago’s.

‘You look beautiful, Viviane,’ he whispers, sending another volt through me.

‘They can’t hear you, Tiago. Save your compliments for the reception when the family descend.’

Honestly, he’s going to get me kicked out for all this chitchat, even though he’s pressed hard against me on the pew, his mouth so close to my ear I can feel his breath on my skin.

‘What?’

Bride Ida pauses her vows and sends an evil glare my way.