Beautiful Liar (19 page)

Even if there was more to Alex, there was no denying he was still a deeply troubled person. And I already had enough problems dealing with my mum.

The following Sunday night, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wishing I had time to change. Unfortunately I was due round for dinner at Duncan Noble's house in Chelsea, so I was stuck.

However informal the dinner was meant to be, I'd guessed that jeans and a T-shirt were going to be a bit too casual. So given the limitations of my wardrobe, I'd been forced to ask Jas to lend me an outfit. Most of her clothes were too tight and short, but I'd finally settled on a black-satin baby-doll dress. She'd advised me to pair it with sheer stockings and heels, but instead I'd kept true to myself, and worn opaque tights and my biker boots, to give it a casual feel, more in keeping with my style. The thought made me laugh—like I had a style.

I'd put on some make-up, and blow-dried my hair so it fell softly around my face. I'd been pleased with myself for
looking more feminine, but now I wondered if it was still too biker chick for the occasion.

I wasn't even sure whether it was the outfit or the prospect of the dinner itself that was making me feel uncomfortable. I'd been dreading this evening ever since I'd agreed to it. It wasn't like Duncan Noble had been particularly friendly to me when I'd gone to his office. But given that he'd been good enough to help me out, I didn't feel I was in a position to turn him down.

When I came out of my bedroom, I saw from the mezzanine landing that Alex was downstairs in the living room, stretched out on the sofa. To my surprise, he was alone. This past week, he'd seemed to be holding a permanent party at the apartment. He'd go out in the early evening, and come back late with a noisy group in tow, playing music at full blast. Each morning, I'd come downstairs to find the living area in disarray, and be forced to watch as Alex said goodbye to a different girl.

At first, I assumed he was sleeping—no doubt worn out from his late-night antics—but as I began to walk downstairs his eyes flew open.

“Hmm.” His gaze swept over me. “Where are you off to in that get-up? No—” He propped himself up on his elbows. “On second thoughts, don't tell me—let me guess. Some rich guy's offered to take you out in exchange for a little cash.”

I rolled my eyes in response, and just continued down the stairs. I was feeling nervous enough about this evening without being told I looked like a high-class hooker.

“But just between us,” he said as I reached the bottom. “Whatever he's told you, he
is
expecting more than just dinner. A lot more.”

That finally got to me. I stopped and turned, a bright smile on my face. “Actually, Alex, you're right. I am meeting a rich older man tonight.”

His eyes narrowed a little. “Oh?”

“Yes. If memory serves me right, I think you call him Daddy.”

He swung his legs round, and sat up. “Ah, so you've been invited to dinner at my father's house. Lucky you.” He waited a beat, and then said, “And will my brother be there, too?”

I raised my chin a little, refusing to sugar-coat it for him. “That's right. In fact, Giles is picking me up right now. So,” I said, ignoring the irritated look that crossed his face, “enjoy your evening here alone—or with whatever poor girl has such low self-esteem that she feels flattered into sleeping with you.”

I was deliberately being cruel, hitting at what I knew were sore points—his relationships with his father and Giles—but I'd had just about enough of him in the last few days. With that parting shot, I turned and walked out.

As he'd
promised, Giles was parked outside the apartment block, waiting for me. We'd agreed it was better for me to come down to meet him, rather than him risk having a run-in with Alex. Though I had a feeling I'd managed to stir things up there, anyway.

Giles was as charming as ever, holding open the car door for me, and complimenting me on my appearance. But to be honest I was too distracted to really care. I'd already been dreading the evening, and now the conversation with Alex had rattled me further.

Ten minutes later, we were driving through the streets of Chelsea, passing elegant white townhouses and manicured squares. As we pulled up outside Duncan Noble's house, I tried not to show how impressed I was. The five-storey building was set on the crescent of the road, making it one of the most expensive houses on the most expensive street in London. So this was what running a successful luxury leisure group got you.

It was just after seven when we arrived. Duncan was there to greet us. He looked less formal than when we'd first met, in chinos and a blue shirt. Now that he and Giles were together, I could see the resemblance between them even more keenly.

“Nina, I'm glad you could make it.” He kissed me on both cheeks. “Come through, will you?”

I followed him along the corridor to the drawing room. I
perched on the sofa as a waitress dressed in a black pencil skirt and fitted white shirt brought round champagne and canapés. I stuck with water, deciding I'd need to keep my wits about me.

“Now,” Duncan said to me once she'd withdrawn from the room. “I was aware that I was a little abrupt at our last meeting, so I was hoping we'd have a chance to get to know each other a bit better tonight.”

“Great,” I said, trying to look as though I couldn't think of anything I'd rather be doing.

“So on that note, why don't you tell me what you've been up to?”

Given that I'd hidden the details of my mum's alcoholism from him, it wasn't the easiest of conversations to have. But I spoke a lot about April, and somehow we managed to fill the time.

Three-quarters of an hour later, we finally went through to a formal dining room. A long table made of polished mahogany dominated. It could have easily seated twelve, so it felt a little empty with just three of us there. But I didn't have time to dwell on the awkwardness, because Duncan Noble was already firing more questions at me.

We had just finished our starter of scallops, and the last plates were being cleared, when the doorbell sounded. I saw Giles and his father exchange looks—this wasn't the type of area where visitors just dropped in. The maid had obviously
answered the door, and we could hear muffled voices—her high-pitched female tone, followed by a deeper man's voice. Then there was the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway, and a second later Alex swept into the room.

He'd made no effort to shave or tidy himself up, and was wearing what looked like his oldest pair of jeans and a T-shirt that was ripped at the neck. I could smell the alcohol off him from all the way across the room.

“Deepest apologies for my tardiness,” he said. “Car wouldn't start.”

It was so obviously a lie, that it was hard not to laugh. I could feel a snigger rising until I caught sight of the look of fury on Duncan Noble's face. I managed to bite it back.

“I didn't realise you'd be joining us, Alexander,” Duncan Noble said. His tone was chillier than the Arctic.

“Family dinner?” Alex pulled up a chair and collapsed into it. “Wouldn't miss it for the world. Such a shame I had to hear about it second-hand, though. I presume your PA forgot to call me.”

Duncan Noble winced at this. He was obviously aware that Alex was peeved about not being invited, and that his son had come here tonight intent on payback.

“No need to worry, though,” he went on, his gaze moving to me. I could see a wicked playfulness in his eyes. “Nina was kind enough to fill me in on the details.”

Duncan's jaw tightened, and he looked between us. “Oh?
You two know each other?”

I went very still, unsure how to respond. I remembered how adamant Giles had been about not letting on to Duncan about my connection with Alex. But if he wanted to tell his father, there was nothing I could do about it.

“Well, of course I know Nina,” Alex said, a little smirk playing on his lips. “She works at Destination. I was bound to run into her.”

There was a silence. I felt Alex, Giles and their father exchange looks, but I had no idea why. Fortunately at that moment, the waitress came in with the main course of guinea fowl. She said that the cook was making up a plate for Alex, and while I marvelled at being in a house that had what appeared to be a whole range of staff, Giles took the opportunity to move the conversation on to more neutral topics.

For the next hour, we stayed on current affairs. Alex was surprisingly well versed in world events, and the debate was animated, though without the heat of the more personal subjects.

I'd almost managed to relax, but just as coffee was being served Duncan turned to Giles. “I reviewed your plans for renovating Destination, and I have to say so far I'm impressed.”

“I'm glad.”

“I just have a question on cost. It seems a little higher than I'd anticipated, and we don't seem to be using our usual contractors.”

Giles nodded along as his father spoke, as though he'd been anticipating these questions.

“I basically went for quality over cost savings. I thought this new firm would create a better finish.”

Duncan nodded approvingly. “Good thinking.”

“The golden boy strikes again,” Alex said softly, but still loud enough for his father to hear.

His head snapped round to glare at his son. “Yes, Alexander, you're right—we've heard quite enough from Giles tonight. Why don't you fill us in on your latest achievements instead? I'm sure everyone at the table is dying to hear how you're spending your time.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Oh, Father, give it a rest, will you?”

“Still no thoughts on joining us in the world of work, then?”

Alex took a sip of wine before answering. “Not really my scene.”

“No?” Duncan raised an eyebrow. “So what is your ‘scene' these days? Falling out of clubs drunk with whatever girl happens to be flavour of the week? Does that constitute a ‘scene'?”

Alex put down his glass. He looked serious, and far more sober than I'd realised. “Actually, I have been working on something. A pop-up restaurant with guest chefs. I'm just looking for investors at the moment.”

“Oh?
And let me guess—you want me to fund you?”

Alex's jaw tightened. “When have I ever asked you for a penny? I'm doing this on my own. Without any help from you.”

For a moment, Duncan looked surprised. Then he recovered. “That's very admirable. I just hope you stick at something this time.”

I cringed. Somehow he'd managed to compliment Alex and put him down at the same time.

Alex reached for his wine glass again, and Duncan frowned. “I hope you're not planning to drive after that.”

Alex drained his glass, and then set it on the table. “Actually, no, I'm not planning to drive. I got a cab here, and I'm going to get a cab back. But it's always good to know what a low opinion you have of me.”

Instead of apologising, Duncan said, “Well, can you blame me? I've given up counting the number of times you've been selfish and reckless over the years.”

Alex gave a harsh laugh. “And you wonder why I don't come to family dinners more often?” He looked round at me and Giles, and shook his head. “You know what? I don't need this. I'm out of here.”

With that, Alex pushed his chair back from the table, and left the room.

I didn't think twice. I stood up and hurried after him. But he was too fast for me. He was already at the front door
while I still had one flight of stairs to go.

“Alex, wait,” I called.

His hand was on the handle of the door. I saw him grip it for a moment, and then he released it, and turned back to face me. For once, there was no humour in his eyes, only irritation. “What do you want?”

I came to a halt on the bottom step, suddenly lost for words. I'd expended so much energy getting down that it hadn't occurred to me what I was going to say when I got there.

“I . . .” I began, and then stopped. “I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened in there,” I said eventually.

“Why?” He shrugged his large shoulders. “It's not like you were the one saying all that stuff.”

“Maybe not. But I still thought it was wrong of him.”

“Really?” He cocked his head to one side, studying me through narrowed eyes. “I'm surprised to hear that. I'd have thought you'd be the first to agree with him. After all, weren't you the one who called me selfish and reckless?”

I winced at that. I suddenly understood why he'd been behaving the way he had. He'd been good to me, and I'd repaid his kindness by criticising him just like his father always did. No wonder he'd gone out of his way to prove me right since then. While I didn't like his behaviour, I could understand it.

I tried to hold his gaze for as long as possible, but I'm sure it wasn't a
surprise to either of us that I was the one who looked away first.

“Yeah.” He gave a harsh laugh. “That's what I thought.”

He turned to leave, and this time I made no effort to stop him. The front door slammed shut behind him, rattling my teeth with the sheer force of the bang.

I stood there for a moment, staring after him. Then I heard someone clearing his throat to make me aware of their presence. I turned to see Duncan. He didn't look happy.

“I'm guessing from what I just heard that you and Alex know each other better than I've been led to believe.”

I dropped my eyes, choosing to study a spot on the ground.

“I understand if you don't want to tell me what's going on. But as you can see from tonight, my youngest son can be difficult. You need to be careful, Nina. I'd hate to see you get hurt.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Now,” he said briskly, clearly changing the subject. “I don't think anyone's in the mood to continue this evening, so I'll get Giles to drive you home.”