Lies

It takes him by surprise the first time they meet in the city.

They are at a party thrown by his publisher, honouring two of his colleagues – including his best friend. She is just as surprised as he is to see him.

"Hello, Ralph," she says coolly, kissing his cheek in greeting.

"Hello, Fiona," he replies. His wife is hovering at his side and she nudges him slightly, reminding him of her presence. "Fiona, this is my wife, Deirdre."

Fiona graciously extends her hand to his wife and they exchange pleasantries.

"How do you know Ralph?" Deirdre asks, a bit intimidated by Fiona's beauty which is only accentuated by the black sheath dress she is wearing. Next to Fee, Deirdre looks vaguely frumpy in her ill-fitting blue frock.

Ralph feels a bubble of panic rise up in his throat, but he need not worry – Fiona is easily able to handle this situation.

"Oh, I helped Ralph edit his last novel," she lies smoothly.

"How nice," Deirdre says.

"I must go," Fee says. "It was lovely to see you again, Ralph; lovely to meet you, Deirdre."

With one last smile his lover loses herself in the crowds, moving purposefully to the powder room. Locking the door behind her, she begins to cry.

Why did they have to be here tonight? She did not want to meet Deirdre. She does not want to know the woman who is married to her lover. But it is too late now.

Drying her eyes, she quietly exits the powder room and moves in the direction of the coat check. She is waylaid by Ralph.

"I had no clue you'd be here tonight," Ralph whispers. "I'm sorry you had to meet Deirdre."

Fiona gives him a brittle smile. "We had to run into each other sometime. At least it's over and done with now."

"I'll be coming down next weekend," he reminds her and she smiles.

"Good," she replies simply. "You'd best get back to your wife – you don't want her to suspect anything."

Still, he kisses her cheek lightly in a parting gesture before walking back to Deirdre. He looks over his shoulder and watches her exit the building. She pauses for a fraction of a moment, her eyes locked with his, before she continues on her way.

Ralph turns back to his wife and tries to forget that he met Fiona tonight but he can't. He can never forget anything about her.