Page 136 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

Cynthie laughs, delighted. ‘Oh my god, I’d forgotten about that one. We were feral,’ she adds sunnily. ‘I’d love to take the credit but I think that particular prank might have been Hannah. Pretty sure she was the one resubscribing you, too, although I may have encouraged it.’

‘Monster,’ Jack says fondly, and he drops a kiss on the corner of her mouth while she hums with pleasure.

I cough and Jack turns his attention back to me, his expression thoughtful. ‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about this. My best friend and my sister. I feel like I should be threatening you or something.’

‘Look, I’d rather cut out my own heart than hurt her,’ I say, then I sigh. ‘Not that there are any guarantees. It’s a complicated situation.’

Jack runs a hand over his jaw, and his mouth pulls down but he doesn’t say anything. He’s still processing, which is fair enough. It’s a lot.

‘Well, I for one think it’s great,’ Cynthie declares. ‘You and Lee make so much sense. Everything else is just details. And we’re here for you, one hundred per cent, okay?’

I look at Jack and he nods, his expression softening. ‘Of course, man. Anything you need. You know that.’

I reach out and put my hand on his shoulder. ‘I should have said before… I’m glad you’re here. I can’t believe you came.’

He shrugs, his mouth finally pulling up into a smile. ‘My best friend senses were tingling. I could tell you were upset about something, and god knows you’re not the best at asking for help.’

‘Now,’ Cynthie rubs her hands together, ‘where’s this Charles character? I think it’s time to hit him with the professionals.’

Chapter Forty-Four

Lee

After explaining the situation to Frankie as briefly as possible, and agreeing that it would be best for him to beat a tactical retreat for now, I make my way towards the hot chocolate stand. Here Charles is being flanked by not only Luke, Tara and Claudia, but Mei and Kat as well. They have arranged themselves around him like a human shield, and it does not look casual. The poor man looks hunted.

‘Hi!’ I say brightly, and everyone sends me a relieved look when I am clearly Frankie-free.

‘Lee! Darling!’ Claudia practically throws herself on me. ‘We were telling Charlie that you and Nico had probably snuck away just the two of you because you’re so happily married and deeply in love!’

‘Yep,’ Kat nods eagerly. ‘The most happily married. The most in love.’

‘And so stable,’ Tara chips in. ‘That’s what we always say. Wow, Lee and Nico. Couple goals. But in a responsible way.’

‘Extremely responsible,’ Mei agrees.

‘Yes, I…’ Charles looks like he’s feeling dizzy.

‘Oh!’ Phil in his Henry VIII costume bounces up. ‘Were you just talking about how happy and in love Lee and Nico are? Because boy, do I have some stories to share! Actually, there are four of us who tell them best. We like to act out the various parts, if you’ll hang on for one minute…’

‘That really isn’t necessary,’ Charles says weakly.

‘Hey…’ Nico’s hand slips around my waist, and I sag back against him in relief. He’s brought Jack and Cynthie with him.

‘You must be Mr Saunders,’ I hear Cynthie say, her hand outstretched as she glides towards him, her famous smile wide and sincere. ‘I’ve heard so much about you. May I call you Charles?’

All the colour leaves Charles’s face. He looks like he’s seen a ghost. ‘No!’ he says. ‘No! This is taking it too far.’ He glances wildly around at the group of us, before pointing to Cynthie with a trembling finger. ‘This woman won an Academy Award last year!’

Cynthie’s smile falters. ‘Did I say something wrong?’

Charles reaches into the pocket of his coat and pulls out an envelope, holding it out to Nico.

‘I can’t do this anymore,’ he says. ‘I was happy enough to go along with the charade in the beginning. Of course, I thought the people in this town were a bit overenthusiastic, but they’re clearly very fond of you. And naturally, I hadn’t anticipated what a pleasure it would be spending time with your lovely mother,’ here his cheeks turn pink, ‘but I told your brother that I’m concluding the investigation early, so there’s no need for you to bring in further witnesses to this pretence of a marriage, especially not ones with an Oscar on their mantelpiece.’ He gestures at Cynthie.

‘I also won a Teen Choice Award,’ I hear Jack protest.

‘Pretence of a marriage?’ I murmur, feeling all the blood leave my head as his words sink in. ‘You mean… you knew?’

‘Of course I knew,’ Charles scowls. ‘I am excellent at my job. There didn’t seem any reason to bring it up when I came here with a specific remit.’