“I can’t,” he says urgently. I have a look at him aghast. I can’t imagine he’s saying this. I assumed at this time was alleged to be about honesty, put all the things behind us. “It’ll destroy her, you know the way proud she is of her Greek heritage. In addition to, it’s been too lengthy. She may hate me for it. I couldn’t bear that.”

“Daniel, she has a proper to know who she is, for crying out loud.”

“No, no, that’s not going to occur. She’s a cheerful, assured younger girl. It’ll break her,” he says firmly, then he appears at me sharply. “Promise me you received’t inform her.”

“Daniel, you’re being egocentric.” He covers his ears together with his palms, blocking out my phrases. “You’re going to have to inform her eventually.”

“No, I’m sorry, Audrey. I can’t danger it.” He undoes two buttons of his purple polo shirt, cheeks flushed, neck coated in blotches, beads of sweat trickling down his brow. “And I perceive if this implies you don’t wish to be with me anymore.”

I run a finger alongside the seam of the couch, circling one of many buttons thoughtfully. Yesterday, I used to be secretly hoping for one thing as drastic as this, that he’d give me a simple method out, however now that the exit is staring me within the face, I’m not so positive I wish to stroll via it.

“Daniel, how may Connie get to nearly thirty and never know? I imply, didn’t she ever want her beginning certificates?”

He shakes his head. “I at all times renewed her passport for her, what she’s like.” Sure, Daniel does most issues for her. He’s like her P.A. “And she or he’s not married so by no means wanted it for the rest.” He stretches his leg and winces. “She did ask for it a few instances,” he says with a grimace. He have to be in quite a lot of ache. I look at my watch. I ought to depart. Let him get some relaxation. “Simply out of curiosity, I feel.”

“And?”

“I fobbed her off. The primary time I instructed her it’d been misplaced throughout a transfer and that I’d utilized for a reproduction. Then just lately when she requested me once more I instructed her Aliki accidently burned it throughout one among her clear-outs. Aliki backed me up, after all, and that was the tip of that.”

“You may’t let her and Lily stay a lie, Daniel. It isn’t honest.” He drops his head after which, to my shock, his physique begins shaking. I wrap my arms round him and he cries and cries and cries.

“Shhh,” I rub his arm, “Don’t fear. We’ll type this out. Collectively.”

He appears up at me then, face moist with tears. “Does this imply I’m forgiven?”

“All of us make errors.” I brush away his tears with my fingers then place a hand on his knee. “Let’s begin once more – a recent slate.”

“No extra secrets and techniques.” He cups his hand over mine, it’s heat and damp.

“No extra secrets and techniques.” I brace myself. Confession time. “The truth is, I’ve obtained one thing to let you know too.”

“Okay,” he sniffs, wiping his nostril with the again of his hand. “Me first, although.”

“There’s extra?” I ask, shocked.

“Only one extra confession.” He raises a finger, “I would like you to know all the things about my previous if we’re beginning afresh. It’s essential know why my marriage ended.” I’m undecided I can deal with any extra secrets and techniques. “The explanation Aliki and I divorced was as a result of she had an affair.” I really feel as if I’ve simply been slapped throughout the face. Exhausting. “I do know, stunning, isn’t it? Who’d have thought it, eh?” He strokes my cheek with the again of his fingers. I stare upon him, wordless. “Properly, not an affair as such, it was extra of a one-night factor.” I feel I’m going to be sick. “It was my fault too.” He leans again and grips his knees tightly. I can see he’s nonetheless harm by her betrayal. “We have been aside rather a lot. I used to be too concerned in our enterprise, neglecting her. She was lonely. I get it, however…”

“Properly, who was he? Do you know him? Are they collectively now?” I do know I’m asking too many questions however I have to know all the things.

“His identify was Fanos, married with three young children. And no, there was by no means a relationship. He was the highest salesman of our Larnaca workplace. Aliki regretted it instantly and confessed the subsequent day.” He leans ahead, rests his forearms on his knees and stares at his ft.

“And also you couldn’t forgive her?” I crane my neck to get a greater have a look at him, gauge his expression.

“No, I may. I did.” Phew, thank goodness. “We tried for some time however I couldn’t get previous it. I stored imagining them collectively.”

“Oh,” I gulp, “I see.” There’s a darkish silence punctured by the sound of banging after which cheering via the partitions.

“New neighbours.” Daniel rolls his eyes, “Teenage sons. Anyway.” He reaches for a field of ibuprofen on the espresso desk, “That’s my lot. Your flip now.” I stare at him wide-eyed. I don’t know what to say. He’s simply confessed to divorcing his spouse over a one-night stand. He’ll by no means forgive me. My breath quickens, my cheeks burn. “Hey, don’t look so frightened. No matter it’s it may’t be a lot worse than what I’ve simply instructed you.” He eases two tablets out of a blister pack and knocks them again with a glug of water, all of the whereas relating to me.

“I noticed Nick yesterday afternoon,” I blurt out. His face darkens as he leans again in his seat, elbow on the wood armrest, hand over his mouth. “We went for a stroll in Highgate Woods. He simply needed to speak about his accident and stuff. He’s having all these complications, migraines, I feel, and hallucinations and peculiar nightmares, and…” I’m blabbering however I can’t appear to cease myself. “I feel he wanted a good friend and a shoulder to cry on, that’s all. I imply, you’re nonetheless associates with Aliki, aren’t you, so I -”

“Phew,” he cuts in, “for a second there I assumed you have been going to inform me you’d slept with him. I couldn’t bear that.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I giggle nervously, and he smiles, pulling me into his arms.

“I do know, I do know, I’m sorry.” I lay my head on his chest and he strokes my hair. “My good Cinderella would by no means cheat on me.” Good? Ha. If solely he knew. I chunk my thumbnail, listening to the thud of his coronary heart. “You received’t be seeing him once more, although, will you?” I frown, why did he simply say that? He nonetheless sees Aliki. He gently performs with my hair as I concentrate on the gold Buddha within the hearth. “Connie mentioned she went to see him about some photograph gig.” I’m going stiff in his arms. “Mentioned she obtained the notion that he’s nonetheless in love with you, needs you again.” I don’t suppose she instructed him that she stripped bare and climbed into his mattress, although, did she?

“Promise me you’ll inform Connie about Sophie, Daniel?” I say, veering off the topic of Nick.

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