The Perfect Liar by Beverley Harvey

Author:Beverley Harvey [Harvey, Beverley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838889562
Published: 2020-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

By six o’clock everyone has gathered on the terrace. On the linen-covered table, champagne tantalises from an ice bucket. Beside it, a row of glasses sparkles. Plates of canapés and bowls of snacks are dotted around, and Evie’s chocolate cake forms a mouth-watering centrepiece.

In the mellow light, Dale studies the women. Susanne, stylish in a black jersey dress and strappy sandals, glowing with sunshine and anticipation; Evie, pretty in a rose-printed sundress, her hair twisted at the nape of her neck; Star, youthful in distressed blue jeans and halterneck top, beaded earrings peeking through her hair. Everyone has made the effort for Harry, Dale thinks bitterly. She smooths down her denim playsuit, feeling oddly apprehensive as they wait.

‘He’s here!’ Susanne cries, hearing Harry’s jeep pull up. She hoists the champagne in a napkin, ready to pop its cork. Evie and Star exchange excited glances. Only Dale remains cool, observing the scene with detachment. Harry may have a bucketload of charisma and have her best friend under his spell, but she remains unconvinced.Inconsistencies bother her; perhaps her teacher training is to blame. Always having to read between the lines, find the hidden subtext. Star may not be his girlfriend as she’d first thought, but there is something about their interaction that doesn’t quite ring true.

Neither does Star’s indifference to her recent upset with Sander. A few hours earlier, when asked if she’d spoken to her boyfriend, she’d seemed surprised, as if she’d forgotten all about him and was content to hang out in female company.

Dale looks across at Susanne, watches her return the champagne to its ice bucket. The minutes tick by: five, then ten, and still Harry does not materialise.

Dale frowns. ‘Where the bloody hell is he?’

‘Loo, probably,’ Evie mouths. But when Harry eventually appears, his hair is in damp tufts and he’s wearing a crisp, new-looking T-shirt.

He hangs back and surveys the party scene, a look of bewilderment on his face.

Beaming with relief and happiness, Susanne twists open the champagne, fills five glasses and presses one into Harry’s hand.

‘Happy birthday, babe,’ she says, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.

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