Double Deceit by Julienne Brouwers

Author:Julienne Brouwers [Brouwers, Julienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781801101127
Publisher: Head of Zeus

22

The doorbell rang. I put the dishcloth on the counter, walked towards the hallway and opened the door.

“Hello Mum,” I said with a smile and stepped aside to make room.

My mother entered the hallway, rubbing her hands. “Hello darling,” she said, gave me a peck on the cheek and slid her arms out of her grey woollen coat. Just when everyone thought we wouldn’t have a proper winter this year, a cold front had suddenly crossed the country. Her eyes widened. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

My father, who followed in her wake, mumbled something similar.

I smoothed the black silk dress that I’d immediately ordered after the phone call with Dan yesterday. “Thank you,” I responded and closed the door.

We entered the warm living room, where Tim sat, eyes fixed on the television screen.

“How wonderful you’re going on a date,” my mother said and squeezed my arm.

I smiled and walked around the kitchen island to the sink where I’d just cleaned up the remains of the diner I’d prepared for Tim. My mother followed me and sat down on a kitchen chair.

“So tell me. How long have you known this man for?”

I wiped down the luxuriously thick granite countertop with a dishcloth. I’d have liked a more industrial look using concrete, but Oliver preferred the classic look and I’d acquiesced. I popped a tablet in the dispenser of the dishwasher and turned it on. “I only just met him,” I said casually, but as I uttered the words, I realised what the implications were. Was I making a huge mistake meeting up with this Dan, because, in all fairness – what did I really know about the guy?

“We recently met in the playground,” I continued and omitted on purpose where he worked.

My father had taken a seat next to Tim on the couch and seemed to have developed a sudden interest in children’s programmes.

“Lovely,” my mother responded, oblivious to my sudden disquietude about the whole thing. “Who would have thought you could meet someone there. I suppose he also has a child then?”

“Yes. He’s divorced and has a daughter.” I held up the kettle, trying to steer the exchange onto an easier subject. “Tea?”

“No, thank you darling. We won’t be staying long, otherwise it will become too late for Timmy,” she said and I smiled at her concern.

My father had apparently overheard more of the conversation than I was aware of, given the alarmed look he shot at me from the other side of the room. “Will you be careful, love? There are so many crazy people nowadays. Just look out for yourself and stay alert.”

Under normal circumstances I’d have given an inaudible sigh, smiled and uttered, ‘Yes, dad,’ but the threatening events of the past few weeks suddenly made me nervous.

I bit my lip. “Will you keep an eagle eye on Tim while he’s at your place?”

My mother looked up completely nonplussed. “Yes of course. We always do, you know that, right darling?”

I nodded, but still wasn’t feeling reassured. “Just please

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