Free Lovers and Liars by Sally Beauman

married a decade ago. People say S. S. home handpicked his son’s bride, but I don’t know about John Hawthorne was said to be besotted with her. Anyway, as a notorious wedding. One-thousand-plus guests . A
    of amusement returned to his eyes. ‘As I recall, the bride a thirty-thousand-dollar St Laurent dress.’
    you cover the wedding?’ Jenkins asked.
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    Gini flinched.
    Pascal gave him a cold look. ‘No,’ he replied. J told you, it was ten years ago. I was in Mozambique at the time. I didn’t cover society weddings then.’
    d ‘Yes, yes, of course.’ Jenkins sounded impatient, unconcerne
    at his own lack of tact. Other people’s pasts held no interest for him, unless they had direct bearing on a story. ‘So, anything else’ Pascal? You hear rumours - it’s your job to hear rumours. An
    y scandal about the Hawthornes? Any ripples, hintsT
    ‘Nothing at all/ Pascal replied evenly. ‘But then it’s some time since I was last in the States. I’ve been working in Europe this past year. Something could have come up in that time. All I hear is that the Hawthornes are unfashionably h4ppy. Two children, both boys. Marital devotion … ‘ A hard note had entered his voice. He shrugged. ‘Good works and public service. Husband and wife - everywhere seen, everywhere admired. In short, the perfect couple. Just as you said.’
    Nicholas Jenkins gave Pascal a sharp glance. Gini felt that he might have liked to make some jibe, and then restrained himself. Pascal Lamartine’s temper was well known. Jenkins obviously decided to watch his tongue. He leaned back in his chair looking secretive and smug. How he loved information, Gini thought. Jenkins nursing a story was like a miser hoarding gold. He turned to her.
    ‘Your turn, Gini. There’s plenty to add.’
    ‘There certainly is.’ She hesitated. ‘I should say that I’ve met John Hawthorne, of course.’
    The second the words were said, she regretted them. The ‘of course’ had slipped past her guard. Across the table Pascal picke d up on it at once.
    ‘Of courseT he said. ‘Is Hawthorne another friend of your father’sT
    There was a nasty little silence. enkins, who always enjoye J d tensions between others, gave a smirk. Gini looked away. The tone in which Pascal had spoken, lazily disguising what she knew to be a reprimand of sorts, hurt her. She waited a second, then Jenkins intervened.
    ‘Am I missing something hereT he said in an arch voice. ‘Is there some little mystery, Gini? Does your father know him?’ ‘He may well have run into him.’ She gave a quick dismissive
    shrug. ‘No, that’s not the link. As I’m sure you know, Nicholas, there are other contacts.’
    ‘Thought so.’ Jenkins beamed. ‘Go on.’
    ‘There’s very little to say. I’ve met Hawthorne precisely twice.
    Qnce, years ago, when he was first a senator. This was before married, when I was still at school. I was about thirteen, and iN’, talked to him for about ten minutes - less.’
    t” I qhis was in England? He was making a trip to EnglandT Jenkins
    ‘Th t’s right. The second time was last year, when he first arrived a
    at the embassy here. I went to one of the parties given to welcome Again, I spoke to him very briefly. He was busy. There were about two hundred guests.’
    :,Busy?’ “He was working the room, Nicholas.’ ‘Efficiently?’
    ‘Oh, very efficiently.’
    ‘And the lovely Lise, she was there tooT
    ‘Yes. But I never had a chance to speak to her. She was surrounded by admirers all night.’
    ,Interesting. Interesting . Jenkins leaned back in his chair. Pascal said nothing, merely sat and watched her in a thoughtful way. Gini could feel something emanating from that cool watchful j
    ngard. It could have been hostility, it could have been dislike. It :,,jxkade her nervous, and self-conscious, and also determined. Let -,Ijpn remain silent; she refused to let him put her off.
    up, Gini.’ Jenkins had leaned forward again. ‘I’m longto know …