Page 66 of The House Swap

‘Thank you for the offer, but I think I’d better get a taxi back. I’d like to get an early start on work in the morning.’

‘In that case, I can drive you,’ Ian said.

Surely he would be over the limit.

She asked the question as diplomatically as possible.

‘I’m still sober enough,’ came his reply. ‘I’ve only had the one glass.’

Really?

The bottle on the table was now empty. He had been topping up the wine glasses throughout the meal.

Not all of them, though. Now Poppy was paying attention, she realised she hadn’t seen him top up his own glass. Only hers and Sue’s.

‘Someone has to keep an eye on things,’ he added. And this time, the sly smile he gave her had Poppy’s nerves churning.

She really didn’t want to get in the car with him again.

23

Poppy knew she was being ridiculous.

Ian had picked her up and everything had been fine, so why was she freaking out all of a sudden?

Perhaps because she knew he enjoyed his wine, but had quietly rationed his own alcohol intake while pushing her to drink more, despite her protests. It felt deceitful.

‘You really don’t need to take me. I can get a taxi.’

‘Don’t be daft. I picked you up. I can take you home.’ Ian smiled at her again, but this time it didn’t reach his eyes.

Poppy opened her mouth. Closed it again. She could still refuse, but what excuse would she give?

‘Is there a problem, Poppy?’ Sue asked, out of the blue.

‘What? No! Of course not.’

‘You seem a little jumpy all of a sudden.’

‘No, I’m not.’

Liar.

Poppy’s heart thumped and her face burned hot as both of the Pritchards stared at her, as if they didn’t believe she was telling the truth.

Eventually, Sue’s expression softened and she reached across to rub her hand up and down Poppy’s arm. ‘You’re so tightly wound up, love. Ian and I just want you to relax and have a good time.’

‘I am. It’s been a lovely evening,’ Poppy told her, racked with guilt.

‘Then there’s no reason we can’t continue, is there. And you have your lift sorted, so now you can relax and enjoy yourself, love.’

Easier said than done, but without causing a scene, Poppy wasn’t sure she had a choice.

And she didn’t have a phone signal. Unless the Pritchards’ gave her their Wi-Fi code, which didn’t seem like it was going to happen, how was she supposed to call for a cab?

Nerves had her reaching for her wine glass and taking a big sip, even though she had promised herself she would stop drinking, and she told herself yet again she was overreacting. Still, deep in her gut, she couldn’t help but think there was something a little bit off.

‘I have an idea,’ Sue piped up suddenly, clasping her hands together. ‘Ian, love. Why don’t we show Poppy your wine collection?’