Free Absent Light by Eve Isherwood Page B

thought, she’d found Martin attractive precisely because he was so similar in looks to Adam. Same dancing eyes. Same enslaving smile.
    The introductions were made. Helen smiled and murmured that it was nice to meet her. Sarah clung on to him like a limpet, Helen noticed. She wondered whether Martin found it attractive or whether, eventually, it would drive him away.
    â€œHeard so much about you.” Sarah’s blue eyes were pure ice.
    â€œAll good, of course,” Martin hurriedly spoke up. Helen offered another smile and felt her cheeks flush. Oh God, this was really difficult.
    â€œI hear you’re a photographer.” The haze of blue didn’t waver. Helen grunted a yes. “Maybe you could take my picture some time.”
    You have to be kidding, Helen thought, the fixed smile hurting her face. “How much do you charge?”
    â€œSeventy-five pounds for a sitting, prints are extra.”
    Sarah gave Martin an appealing look. “I don’t know whether that’s expensive or not.”
    â€œWell, I…” he mumbled.
    â€œI think you’ll find it competitive,” Helen said evenly. “So how did you two meet?” she said, deciding to be proactive.
    â€œSarah joined our P.R. wing,” Martin explained.
    â€œHandy,” Helen said, inwardly cursing for not thinking of something smarter to say.
    â€œIt means we understand each other’s work,” Sarah said. “We often discuss campaigns at home. Some of our best ideas have originated over a bottle of wine,” she said with a silvery laugh.
    â€œRight,” Helen said, draining her glass. Sarah followed suit. Helen considered whether she was copying her.
    â€œCould you get me a refill, darling?” Sarah held out her glass to Martin.
    Martin glanced from Sarah to Helen, his expression one of wincing apology. “And you, Helen?” he added, looking uncertain.
    â€œThanks,” she smiled, handing him her empty glass.
    â€œWon’t be a moment,” he said, pushing his way through the scrum of people.
    Sarah possessively watched his retreating form and turned back to Helen. It was evident from the look in her eye that she wanted to make plain the ground-rules. “You’re quite a tough act to follow.”
    Helen gave an embarrassed shrug.
    â€œI think poor Martin thought you were the one.”
    Don’t make me feel any worse than I already do, Helen thought.
    â€œHe was quite cut up until I came along,” Sarah continued.
    â€œI never meant…”
    â€œI’d hate to see him made a fool of again.” Sarah was smiling sweetly but her eyes gleamed with malice. This was the stay-away speech, Helen thought. What a silly girl. More than anything Helen wanted Martin to be happy.
    â€œLook, Sarah, you really have nothing to worry…”
    â€œYou think I’m interested in your opinion?” Sarah cut in haughtily.
    â€œDrinks, girls,” Martin said, clearly pleased to find that neither woman had yet attacked the other.
    â€œThanks, sweetie,” Sarah said, tipping up on her toes to give him a kiss and reassert ownership. Crisis over, Helen thought. At heart, Sarah was just a jealous cow. A bit of her worried about what Martin had let himself in for.
    â€œMartin said you used to work as a crime scene photographer for the police.”
    Helen glanced from Sarah to Martin. He looked as startled as she felt.
    â€œNot as simple as that. I…”
    â€œWeren’t you involved in that case that hit the papers?”
    Martin paled. In a space of seconds, Helen felt herself turn from a reasonable person into an I want to get my hands around your throat person .
    â€œWhich case was that?” Helen replied dead calm.
    â€œThere’s Chloe and Chris,” Martin cut in, ludicrously animated, “remember you wanted to ask them round for supper, Sarah. Sorry, Helen, catch you later,” he said, pulling Sarah with