Sara's Child (29 page)

“How about a coffee?” Ryan asks Shenna when they are left alone.

“That would be nice,” she agrees and they both walk over to his office.

“Well, this looks cosy,” Felicity’s catty remark precedes her entrance into the port-a-cabin.

Frowning at Felicity’s very different tone to the one she used to apologise for the noise nuisance, Shenna can only wonder what her problem is.

Turning back to Shenna, Ryan says, “I believe you have already met my site coordinator, Felicity Mayfield,” he introduces. “And, of course, you have already met Mrs Williams,” Ryan narrows his eyes suspiciously at Felicity.

“As I told you,” Felicity rounds on him, “not that you seem to care.” Before anyone can say anything else she flounces out of the office and across to the port-a-cabin she shares with the other two women.

Shenna stands, looking after the other woman with wide astonished eyes. “That is who I’m meant to have abused?” she asks in a voice thick with disbelief.

Turning back to Shenna, Ryan can see the truth of the matter – in fact, he’s had his doubts all along he realises.

“I’m sorry, Felicity has always had a penchant for drama and twisting the truth to suit herself.” Having said as much he realises now that it’s true. There have been so many times in the past when a member of the team has become upset enough to walk out, and Felicity was never far away.

Maybe it’s come time for a parting of the ways. Perhaps, at the end of this dig, I’ll just make sure that our paths no longer cross.

When Shenna meets up with her friends Gail and Juliette the next day she tells them about the peculiar incident.

“It was bad enough being woken up at six-thirty in the morning after a very late night of marking and lesson planning – but to then be accused of abusing a member of the dig team was ludicrous and infuriating,” Shenna frowns over her mug of tea.

“What did you say – was Neirin with you at the time?” Juliette asks while getting out a packet of ginger biscuits.

“No, thankfully!” Shenna helps herself to a couple of biscuits from the packet that Juliette is holding out to her. “Thanks – at first I was too stunned to say anything but once my brain woke up I was just furious. That’s when I marched over to his office and gave him what for.” 

Gail laughs, “Go Shenna!”

“But I thought he was encouraging you to get involved with the dig – didn’t you say that he was actually being nice to you?” Juliette really doesn’t understand where the incident has arisen from.

“He was,” Shenna replies. “I think that’s why I was so stunned when he came to the cottage – it was so out of the blue.”

“Do you think this Felicity woman lied to him?” Gail frowns quizzically across the breakfast table at Shenna.

“I think that’s quite possible.” It’s Shenna’s turn to frown as she considers Ryan Tempest’s reaction to Felicity’s sudden appearance and her attitude. “I also think he knows that she lied – or at least, suspects as much.”
He didn’t say that out loud but his expression said it all!

Both of her friends raise their eyebrows at this suggestion.

“But, why would he accuse you if he doesn’t even believe her?” Gail is really confused now.

Shaking her head, Shenna explains. “No, I think he really did believe her at that time, but when she stormed into the port-a-cabin yesterday it was like she’d been found out and knew it – though she didn’t admit to anything – just flounced out.”

“You know,” Gail studies her mug of tea, “it sounds like she’s jealous.”

Choking on the tea she has just sipped, Shenna coughs and splutters while Juliette smacks her smartly on her back.

“Where did that come from?” Shenna asks when she is finally able to speak.

“I told you before that I’d heard they have an on off relationship,” Gail reminds her. “What if she wants it to be back on but he isn’t cooperating – she might see you as a rival.”

Was that it? No…it can’t be. It just doesn’t make sense!

“Not a chance,” Shenna disagrees firmly. “Felicity is beautiful, has a terrific figure and has his occupation in common – they’re made for each other.”

“Hmm, I think she might agree,” Juliette finally joins her friends at the breakfast table with her mug of tea after clearing their lunch dishes away. “After all, we don’t know if it was him or her that has made it an on again off again affair – perhaps this time he said enough is enough and means it?”

Nodding enthusiastically, Gail agrees. “And this time he might just be interested in someone else!” Looking over at Juliette they give each other a knowing nod.

“You two are incorrigible,” Shenna gapes at their outrageous conclusion. “I know you’ve tried to fit me up before with ‘friends’ of your husbands’, but this is plain nuts – he hasn’t shown the slightest interest and I’d tell him where to go if he did!”

What a pair of matchmakers! And it’s not like he’s ever said anything or even looked at me funny – they’re just wishful thinking.

But her heart has kicked into high gear and her breathing is giving her problems.
No. Not a chance.

*****

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Other books by Susan Elle

Sara’s Child

Sara’s Loss

Sara’s Shame