Free False Pretences by Veronica Heley

you, you won’t walk out on her. Are you looking forward to that?’
    He hunched his shoulders. ‘Maybe someone will have a word with her.’
    â€˜Why should they? You’ve committed yourself to a month’s torture.’
    â€˜I can always walk out, if she starts on me.’
    â€˜But would you? I think not. You’d think of the good of the Trust; you’d grit your teeth and stay.’ She realized that she’d started off wanting Zander to stay and fight, and now was urging him not to do so. What on earth was the matter with her, changing her mind every five minutes?
    He said, ‘What can I do? What would you do?’
    Bea shook her head. ‘I see the attraction of the job for you, and a month’s wages is worth having, but I wouldn’t put up with any abuse, and I don’t see why you should, either. The law is on your side. May I give you a word of advice? Keep your mobile phone switched on when she’s anywhere near you. Record any abuse, and then take it to the police. You might not even have to take it the police. Just the threat to do so should be enough to make her keep a civil tongue in her head.’
    â€˜But I couldn’t stay on after I’d done that. It would be equivalent to walking out on them.’
    â€˜That’s their problem, not yours. You have the right to be treated properly.’
    Zander pushed his empty plate away. ‘It’s all very well for you. You don’t know what it’s like to—’
    Bea was sharp. ‘Stop being sorry for yourself. You’ve had a bad time and—’
    â€˜I used to think I was immortal, until I got beaten up and knifed. Then I realized I was as vulnerable as any child.’
    â€˜Huh! If you go around expecting people to beat you up, it’s as if you’ve inked the word “victim” across your forehead. You cringe even before they lift a hand to strike you.’
    He leaped to his feet, reddening.
    â€˜Oh, sorry,’ she said, one second wishing she could recall the words, and the next deciding that no, they had to be spoken.
    He paid the bill for their lunch and stalked out. She followed, grimacing. How awful; she’d allowed her temper to get the better of her. She opened the car up, but he made no move to get in.
    He spoke over her head. ‘I must get back to the church, prepare for the afternoon.’
    â€˜Of course. Let me give you a lift, and of course I’ll reimburse you for lunch.’
    He still wouldn’t meet her eye. ‘What you said . . . You’re right, of course. I hadn’t realized just how far this has got to me.’
    â€˜Keep your mobile switched on when she’s in hailing distance?’
    â€˜Maybe.’ He saw her safely off into the traffic and walked away.
    Bea told herself she was an idiot. Even a child could have handled that better. She’d patronized him. Instead of building up his self-confidence, she’d undermined it further. She hit the steering wheel in frustration. How could she have been such an idiot?
    Sunday afternoon
    â€˜Is that Major Buckstone? Lady Honoria here.’
    â€˜How are you, Honoria? Bearing up, I trust?’
    â€˜No use giving way.’ It didn’t sound likely that she would, but there was a formula for these occasions. ‘Funeral’s all fixed for a week on Monday. I assume you’ll all be there?’
    â€˜We will do our best. Tommy might not make it, but I don’t suppose you expect — ’
    â€˜Oh, but I do, Major. I do. A full turnout to honour my poor dear Denzil’s memory. I don’t think anyone would expect less than that, do you?’
    â€˜I’ll see what can be done.’
    â€˜Of course you will. And as to that other little matter — ’
    â€˜Zander’s promised to stay on, to work out a month’s notice. He’s really very good, you know. We shall be sorry to lose him.’
    â€˜Have