Read Chapter 11: — RUMOURS

Rumour was efficient because it did not require evidence.

By the afternoon, Eleanor had apparently spent the night with Adrian after a secret date. By tea break, he had promoted her in exchange for “company.” By the following morning, one version included champagne, which irritated Eleanor because she had not even been given breakfast.

People became too friendly or not friendly enough.

Sophie became glacial.

Hannah tried to defend Eleanor, which only fed the gossip.

Adrian behaved exactly as he always did.

That almost annoyed Eleanor more.

After work she found Peter waiting outside.

“You look like you want to murder somebody,” he said.

“Several. In alphabetical order.”

He took her to a late-night pub kitchen near Walmgate and ordered chips, pie and two beers.

Eleanor told him everything.

Peter listened without interruption.

“So,” he said finally, “your boss is single, attractive, kind to your father, washes glasses and rescues you from hypoglycaemia.”

“Yes.”

“Disaster.”

She threw a chip at him.

“I'm serious.”

“So am I. That's an aggressively marketable man.”

“I don't want a man.”

Peter looked at his beer. “Fair.”

“I want my life back.”

“Also fair.”

She studied him. “You believe me, don't you?”

“About not sleeping with your boss?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

The speed of the answer comforted her more than it should have.

Peter walked her to a taxi and noted the registration number before she left.

At home, his mother, Susan, was waiting in the dark sitting room.

“You were with Eleanor again.”

Peter sighed.

Susan had raised him alone after his father died young. She loved her son fiercely and had converted that love into standards no actual woman could meet.

“She's had a terrible year,” Peter said.

“She has a child. A dead husband. Problems.”

“She has a name too.”

Susan pursed her lips. “Mia likes you.”

Mia Brooks was a lively twenty-six-year-old Susan had encouraged him to date.

“Then Mia has questionable judgement.”

“Don't waste your life waiting for somebody who chose someone else.”

That landed because it was true.

Peter went upstairs without answering.