Free 1848453051 by Linda Kavanagh Page B

restaurant for?’
    ‘Eight-thirty. I’ve booked a table for six – and I’ve arranged for the table you like. You know, the one by the window.’
    Sylvia raised her eyebrows. ‘Six? Who else is coming?’
    ‘Janette and Matthew.’ Alan grinned. ‘Janette was most insistent that they be present to wish you a happy birthday!’
    Sylvia’s heart gave a jolt. Janette, with her red mouth and long talons, and the woman she considered most likely to be having an affair with her husband! Surely Alan wouldn’t invite his mistress along on his wife’s special day?
    ‘Must we have them there?’ she answered peevishly. ‘After all, it’s my birthday! Shouldn’t I be the one to choose the guests?’
    ‘Sorry,’ Alan said sheepishly. ‘I thought you’d enjoy their company – your father and aunt aren’t exactly livewires, are they? And you know what a madcap Janette is. I thought she’d add a bit of fun to the occasion.’
    Sylvia grimaced. ‘I suppose there’s nothing that can be done about it now – but I wish you’d asked me before inviting them.’
    ‘I didn’t actually invite them – I bumped into Janette as I was coming out of the jeweller’s, carrying your gift bag. She wanted to know what was inside, and who it was for.’
    Sylvia bit her lip angrily. Janette had probably been with him at the jeweller’s – no doubt the beautiful ring had been bought for her.
    ‘When I told her the gift was for your birthday, Janette invited us for drinks at their house,’ Alan added. ‘I explained that we were having dinner at La Strada with your father and aunt, and she insisted that she and Matthew join us.’
    Sylvia bit her lip. She felt like crying. Her birthday was already ruined.
    In La Strada, the wine flowed freely, the conversation was lively and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was impossible to fault the restaurant. The table Alan had booked was situated exactly where Sylvia liked it, the waiters were attentive, the food delicious. As expected, her father had given her a cheque as soon as they arrived at the restaurant, and even Sylvia had been surprised by the large amount. Her father had seemed pleased by her reaction, and Sylvia wondered if he’d somehow guessed that she needed cheering up.
    Aunt Maud had knitted her a sweater, in a hideous yellow colour that Sylvia instantly disliked. But she assured her aunt that it was a colour she adored. Her aunt’s face was pink with pleasure, and Sylvia could feel the tears forming as her heart filled with affection for the older woman. It was good to be surrounded by people who would never hurt you. But as she glanced across the table – at Alan and Janette, who were engrossed in a private conversation – her heart contracted. She’d always believed that Alan would never hurt her. Now she wasn’t so sure.
    Sylvia glanced around the restaurant. Every other table was full, and all the other patrons seemed to be enjoying themselves. As the waiters delivered the several extra bottles of wine that Matthew had ordered, Sylvia wondered how long she’d have to endure the proceedings. But, as the guest of honour, she could hardly leave before the party cake was brought out and she was forced, child-like, to blow out her candles. Her only hope of surviving the evening was to get drunk.
    This was something she usually avoided, believing that her position as Alan’s wife demanded a certain level of decorum in public. But to hell with Alan tonight, she thought. Let him dare comment!
    Sylvia sneaked a glance at Janette’s husband. Clearly Matthew had a head start on her – he was already well oiled, and pontificating to anyone who would listen about some theory of his for converting water into fuel. Then her gaze moved to Janette again. Or more specifically, to Janette’s left hand. The woman was wearing what looked suspiciously like the ring listed on the receipt in Alan’s pocket!
    Sylvia took a deep breath and leaned across the table. ‘I