Free Painting Naked (Macmillan New Writing) by Maggie Dana Page B

says, “I’ve got to go,” and hangs up.
    I’m still clutching the receiver when Sophie and Claudia get back. “Long conversation?” Sophie asks, removing the phone and putting it back on its base.
    “No, rather short, actually.”
    She lifts an eyebrow.
    “He’s coming to the airport,” I whisper, “to say goodbye.”
    “See,” Sophie says. “I told you!”

Chapter 12
     
     
    London
    September 2010
     
     
    Three days later, Sophie drives me to Heathrow. “What you need is a bloody good love affair.” She swings out to overtake another car. “Meet Colin a few times a year in places like Tahiti or St Tropez.”
    “I couldn’t,” I say, checking my seatbelt. Sophie’s driving alarms me. She must take after her mother, or maybe Claudia takes after her.
    “Don’t be a prude.” Sophie steps on the gas. “I bet he’s looking for a bit of excitement. I mean, he’s not exactly married.”
    “He has a common-law wife.”
    Sophie laughs. “Don’t be so bloody archaic.”
    Airport signs flash overhead. A car serves in front of us.
    “Stupid git!” Sophie gives him two fingers. “Besides,” she continues, “in my book you’re either married legally or not at all.”
    “You, of course, are the expert,” I say, and Sophie gives me two fingers as well.
    The line of people waiting to check in for my flight is long and slow-moving and we don’t reach the information booth until almost one thirty. There’s no sign of Colin.
    “I’m going to leave you here,” Sophie says, hugging me, “because I’m going back home to strong-arm my mother into taking those tests.” She grins. “And because I don’t want to get in Colin’s way.”
    “If he makes it.”
    “He will.”
    Sophie blows me a kiss and melts into the crowd.
    * * *
     
    “Hello, Jilly.”
    I look up, startled, into Colin’s smiling face. “How long have you been here?” An inspired opening line.
    “Not long. I waited till Sophie left.” He holds out his arm. “Why don’t we find somewhere less public than this,” he says, nodding toward a combination coffee shop and bar. “Let’s go over there.” He guides me inside and helps me into a chair. “What would you like to drink?”
    “I’ll have a gin and tonic,” I say, not really wanting one, but if he’s going to imbibe, I’ll be polite and keep him company.
    He looks at me for a moment. “Right,” he says, and glances at the bar. “I won’t be long.” He comes back a few minutes later with a cocktail in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Oh, shit. Now he’ll have me pegged as a borderline alcoholic.
    When he sits, I don’t dare look at him, and we’re so awkward, it’s like being back in the fort. We both speak at once. Then not at all. Finally, grasping for something neutral, I ask, “How long did it take you to drive here?”
    “A couple of hours,” Colin says, not meeting my eyes. “I told them I had to see my accountant. In London.”
    “Them?”
    “Shelby’s sister Diana lives with us.” Colin clears his throat and fumbles in his pocket, and I can almost feel his embarrassment at having to make excuses for his absence. He pulls out a photo. Jeez, no! Don’t tell me he’s going to show me a picture of Shelby and her sister. But, it’s a dog. A brown and white mutt with a feathery tail.
    “Meggie’s a border collie.” Colin hands me the photo. “Comes from a line of prizewinning sheepdogs. She does a fine job of keeping our chickens in order.”
    “No sheep?” I’m clueless about dogs.
    Colin shakes his head. “Best dog I ever had. I don’t know what I’ll do when she goes.”
    I turn the photograph over. There’s another, stuck to the back. A young woman with blond hair leans against a tree. She’s wearing a halter top and shorts and her legs go on for ever. “Is this your daughter?” I hand it back to Colin.
    He coughs. “No.”
    I don’t want to hear what’s coming next. I pick up my glass.
    “It’s Shelby.”
    My gin