LITMIR.BIZ

      CHAPTER THREE

      THERE was a tiny pause. Amil’s own smile, which had broadened as she rushed into eager acceptance, froze just a fraction. ‘Your husband?’

      ‘David.’ Claudia was all innocent surprise. ‘Didn’t you realise I was married?’

      ‘No.’ Amil pulled himself together. ‘You must forgive my surprise,’ he apologised. ‘It was just that I had the impression that you were travelling alone when we talked before.’

      ‘I’m sorry, I should have introduced you,’ said Claudia, looking suitably penitent. ‘He was sitting next to me on the plane. I’m a terrible coward about flying and he had to hold my hand all the way down.’

      It was obvious that Amil was remembering, and Claudia congratulated herself on a convincing touch. ‘That was your husband?’ he said.

      ‘Of course,’ she said, opening her eyes wide. ‘I would hardly hold hands with a perfect stranger, would I?’

      ‘Of course not.’ Amil smiled. Claudia could almost see him giving a mental shrug at a lost opportunity and deciding to make the best of it. ‘In any case, I shall be delighted to give both you and your husband a lift.’

      She had to give him full marks for courtesy. Perhaps there hadn’t been any need to lie after all? Still, it was too late now.

      ‘You’re very kind,’ she said, and meant it. ‘When were you planning to leave?’

      ‘As soon as possible.’

      ‘Then I’ll go and find David at once.’ Claudia smiled again. ‘I won’t be a minute.’

      From the other side of the room, David saw her hurrying towards him, all smiles. He was prepared for the effect this time, though, and had time to rigidly control his breathing as she rushed up.

      ‘Why are you looking so pleased with yourself?’

      ‘I,’ Claudia announced smugly, ‘have got us both a lift to Telama’an, leaving right now!’

      ‘You’ve done what?’ David looked incredulous.

      ‘Amil’s going to drive us there.’

      ‘Who the hell is Amil?’

      ‘He was sitting across the aisle from me on the plane,’ she said, thinking that he could have seemed a little more pleased at her news.

      ‘Oh, yes,’ said David unpleasantly. ‘The man you were flirting with so outrageously. Why didn’t you say?’

      ‘Well, if I was flirting,’ said Claudia in a voice of honeyed sweetness, ‘I was flirting with the right man, and it’s paid off. He’s got a car waiting outside right now.’

      ‘How did he manage that?’ David was still suspicious, and she clicked her tongue in exasperation.

      ‘He’s got contacts here and pulled a few strings. What does it matter, anyway?’ she demanded impatiently. ‘The important thing is that he needs to be in Telama’an tomorrow as well, and he’s got room to take us with him.’

      David stared at her almost accusingly. ‘Why am I included in this generous invitation? I haven’t exchanged so much as a word with the man, and after the way you were batting your eyelashes at him I would have thought that the last thing he wanted was to have me along to play gooseberry!’

      ‘Ah, well, I was just coming to that.’ Claudia manoeuvred him round so that his expression was hidden from the rest of the room. She lowered her voice. ‘I, er, told Amil you were my husband.’

      ‘You did what?’ David’s voice rose to a shout and she shushed him frantically.

      ‘I told Amil we were married,’ she whispered fiercely.

      ‘What in God’s name made you do that?’ he demanded furiously.

      ‘I had to.’ Claudia glanced around, terrified that Amil would come bearing down on them before she had had a chance to brief David. ‘I couldn’t go off with him on my own, could I? I don’t know anything about him other than the fact he’s got a vehicle.’

      ‘You don’t know anything about me, but it doesn’t seem to have stopped you claiming me as a husband!’

      ‘You know Patrick and Lucy,’ she pointed out. ‘So I sort of know you by proxy. Anyway,’ she swept on when David continued to look unconvinced, ‘I’d have thought you’d have been grateful!’

      ‘Grateful? Grateful at being forced into pretending to be married to someone like you?’ David was furious. How dared she involve him in her stupid masquerade? The sheer arrogance of the woman was phenomenal! Even Alix would have thought twice before appropriating a perfect stranger to act as her husband without so much as a by-your-leave! ‘You must be joking!’

      ‘Look,’ said Claudia grittily, ‘you said you wanted to get to Telama’an by tomorrow and this is the best chance you’re going to get. Even if you can get hold of a suitable vehicle, we’ve still got to wait for the bus to take us into town and that might take ages. And then you’ve got to find a car and make all the arrangements... it could be midnight before all that gets done. We could be well on our way with Amil by then! And what happens if there isn’t a car? We’ll end up spending two days here when we could be at Telama‘an.’

      She could see David hesitating and decided to try for a spot of emotional blackmail. ‘Please come. I’m going to be thirty tomorrow, and I can’t spend my

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