The Unburied Past by Anthea Fraser Page B

was he reacting to the bombshell that had been dropped on them both?
    Nick Shepherd had also phoned, to report that he’d managed to obtain seats at the theatre for the Wednesday. Kirsty, who’d been hoping it would be fully booked, agreed to meet him in the foyer at six forty-five, vetoing his suggestion of coming to the house to collect her. He’d also booked an after-show supper at La Table d’Hôte, the town’s newest and most talked about restaurant.
    â€˜It should be a great evening,’ Angie said encouragingly. ‘I’ll be interested to hear about the Table. If it’s as good as people say I’ll get Simon to take me on my birthday.’
    Simon Lucas was Angie’s long-term boyfriend; they’d been together for the past six years but showed no interest in taking their relationship further. He had his own flat at the other side of town and Angie frequently spent the weekends there. A couple of times Kirsty and Lance had made up a foursome with them, but it had not been a success since Lance, introverted and intense, was noticeably irritated by Simon’s laid-back manner. Truth to tell, he hadn’t liked socializing with any of her friends, preferring to keep her to himself.
    On the Wednesday morning a bouquet was delivered to the house, addressed simply to ‘Kirsty’. There was no message and no clue as to the sender. Kirsty phoned the florist for more information, but all they could tell her was that they thought a man had ordered it, but they’d been busy at the time and couldn’t be sure, and it was paid for by cash so they’d no record of a name.
    â€˜I bet it’s Nick Shepherd playing silly games,’ she said crossly to Angie, who was admiring the sheaf of flowers.
    â€˜Well, whoever it is, just be grateful. They’re gorgeous, and if you’re not going to put them in a vase, I shall. It always annoys me,’ she went on, going to the sink, ‘in TV plays when a girl receives flowers from someone she doesn’t like, she unfailingly throws them in the bin. As if it was the poor flowers’ fault! I always hope someone will rescue them.’
    â€˜I didn’t say I don’t like Nick,’ Kirsty defended herself, ‘and I wasn’t going to throw them away, but it really is rather puerile, all this anonymity routine.’
    Angie turned in surprise. ‘Routine?’
    â€˜This and the email.’
    â€˜Oh, for goodness’ sake – you’re not still on about that? It was spam, or a virus or something. Forget it – it’s not worth worrying about.’
    But Kirsty did worry, and when she met Nick at the theatre she was unable to relax with him, answering his comments only briefly and not initiating any conversation. She sensed his surprise and disappointment, but was incapable of responding. It wasn’t until they were seated in a secluded alcove at La Table d’Hôte that, taking the bull by the horns, she met his eyes across the table and said steadily, ‘Thank you for the flowers.’
    He looked at her blankly. ‘Are you being sarcastic?’
    She didn’t reply, and his face reddened.
    â€˜Is this what the cold shoulder is all about?’ he demanded. ‘Because I didn’t send flowers? Is there some code in this town that specifies bouquets must be submitted in advance of a date?’
    She flushed in the face of his anger. ‘The point is I
did
receive flowers,’ she said. ‘Are you telling me they weren’t from you?’
    â€˜That’s exactly what I’m telling you, though if they had been, I fail to see why it should merit this treatment.’
    She frowned. ‘You really didn’t send them, though?’
    â€˜No, I bloody didn’t. I apologize for the oversight.’
    Kirsty drew a deep breath. ‘Then it’s I who owe you an apology.’
    â€˜My thoughts exactly!’
    â€˜Look, I’m sorry.