‘Will a quick paella do?’
‘Wonderful!’ Sojo said. ‘I’ll be happy to set the table, and wash up afterwards.’ Then, turning to Rudy, ‘I understand you come from the States. Which part?’
‘Though my family now live in New York, I was born on the West Coast,’ Rudy replied.
Sojo sighed. ‘One of my dreams has always been to drive down Route 66.’
‘I once did it with a group of teenaged friends in a battered old Chevy…’
Furious with Charlotte for spoiling the evening, and with some idea of getting his own back, he set himself out to be charming to Sojo.
She responded by hanging on to his every word and fluttering her eyelashes at him, while Charlotte went through to the bedroom to exchange her dress for a belted chenille housecoat, before starting supper.
While the paella finished cooking, Sojo set the table and opened a bottle of Frascati, though she herself only drank fruit juice.
When they sat down to eat and she reached to pour the wine, Charlotte shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I’ve had more than enough champagne. Rudy?’
‘I think I will have a glass.’ He spoke to Sojo rather than Charlotte.
While the uncomfortable meal progressed and the conversation gradually faltered and died, his face growing ever more moody, he emptied the bottle.
Looking on, Sojo said nothing.
As soon as their plates were empty, concerned because he was driving, Charlotte made some strong coffee and refilled his cup several times.
When he rose to go, she asked carefully, ‘Are you sure it’s wise to drive? If you want to leave the car where it is, we could always ring for a taxi.’
‘No need, I’ll be fine,’ he answered ungraciously. Shrugging into his coat, he added, ‘It isn’t as if I’m paralytic.’
Feeling miserable and apprehensive, she accompanied him downstairs and opened the street door.
Seeing he was about to leave her without a word, she put a hand on his sleeve. ‘I’m afraid the evening hasn’t been much of a success.’
‘No, it hasn’t.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Unwilling to let him go without making some effort at reconciliation, she put her arms around his neck and touched her lips to his.
He pulled her close and, his passion fuelled by anger and frustration, began to kiss her with a fierceness that was punitive.
Shaken, she took a moment or two to realise that, framed in the lighted doorway, they were clearly visible to anyone passing. Disliking the idea of being on show, she made a determined attempt to free herself.
Angered afresh by what he saw as her rejection, he turned away abruptly.
‘Rudy,’ she addressed his retreating back, ‘when will I see you again?’
‘I’ll be in touch,’ he promised shortly.
With a heavy heart she closed the door and returned to the flat to find Sojo standing by the window.
Glancing over her shoulder, the blonde said drily, ‘Wasn’t he delighted to see me?’
Shaking her head, Charlotte said, ‘It wasn’t just that. Earlier we’d had a bit of a tiff.’
‘I wondered why he was venting his anger on you. What did you have a bit of a tiff about?’
Charlotte explained.
‘It doesn’t seem much to put him in such a foul mood. Unless he’s the kind of man who hates to be wrong-footed.’
Then curiously Sojo enquired, ‘Why did you want to leave the party so early? Or is that a rude question?’
‘Rudy wasn’t enjoying it, and I was upset. You see, when I was on my own for a while I noticed a man standing watching me.’
Seeing the look on Charlotte’s face, the other said sharply, ‘What happened? Did he insult you in some way?’
‘No. He just kept staring.’
Relaxing, Sojo opined, ‘He was probably hoping to get off with you.’
‘That’s more or less what Rudy said when he got back, but it wasn’t that kind of look at all.’
‘What was this strange man like? Tall? Short? Young? Old?’
‘I don’t really know,’ Charlotte said helplessly. ‘It was all over in a split-second. He was standing in deep shadow, and all I noticed were his eyes. A moment later, when I tried to point him out to Rudy, he’d vanished.’ She shivered.
Sojo frowned. ‘It isn’t like you to get all upset over nothing.’
‘It wasn’t nothing. There was so much animosity in his look. I felt…unnerved…I didn’t want to stumble across him again, and when Rudy suggested that we left I couldn’t wait to go. I just wish he hadn’t lied to Anthony.’
‘As that seems to have started it all, I bet he’s been wishing the same.’
‘I’m sorry he was in such a bad mood, especially when I wanted you to like him.’
‘I take it you didn’t warn him I’d be home?’ Sojo said.
‘No.’
‘Well, at least seeing him in a not so good light gave me a more rounded view than if he’d been on his best behaviour.’
‘So what did you think of him?’ Charlotte asked.
‘I thought he was every bit as handsome as you said. Very Byronic. I fancied him something rotten.’
‘I’m glad you liked him in spite of everything.’
‘I didn’t say that,’ Sojo pointed out.
‘But you said you fancied him.’
‘I lusted after him. But lust has very little to do with liking.’
‘Then you didn’t like him?’ Charlotte was dismayed.
‘No. And before you get any ideas, it wasn’t just because of his mood. In some ways that was understandable. I dare say he was hoping to kiss and make up, big time, and finding me waiting must have been a nasty blow. Disappointment’s a sharp thorn,’ Sojo added reflectively, ‘and if he’d tried to make the best of things I would have given him full marks. But he was petty and vindictive, which is an unpleasant combination. If you just wanted to jump into bed with him, have yourself some fun and then walk away, I’d say go for it. But I know that isn’t your scene, and I’d hate to think of you getting emotionally involved with a man like that.’
Her voice a little uncertain, Charlotte said, ‘My, you have got it in for him.’
‘I don’t want to see you get hurt, and if you let yourself fall for him you will be.’
‘How can you be so sure after just one meeting?’ Charlotte asked.
‘In case you haven’t noticed, he has a petulant mouth and a weak chin. Oh, and while I’m being completely frank, I don’t think he’s to be trusted.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Experience.’
Seeing Charlotte’s downcast expression, she added, ‘You know what they say, Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. I’m not just being rotten…And I’m not trying to put you off him because I fancy him myself.’
‘No, I know you’re not.’
‘I