The Anniversary

Chapter 6

“Do you think his brother finally poisoned his mind?” Maria asked.

But Simone was certain on that point. She shook her head.

“No way. Toby wouldn’t let Mike influence him. That man is disgusting and Toby knows it. He isn’t stupid enough to be let in by that.”

“Well, he’s acting like you’ve done something suspicious and he doesn’t know how to react.” Maria paused and lowered her brownie. “Oh dear, he doesn’t know about your secret, does he?”

“I can’t see how. I’ve been very careful.” Then something clicked in Simone’s mind and she remembered something. She sat up. “Hang on. I forgot my cell phone yesterday when I went to Nick’s game. I left it on the kitchen island. When I got back it was where I’d left it but a message from Brett had come in while I was out and it had been read.”

“You think Toby read it?”

“It was either him, Carl or Craig and the kids would’ve come out and said something.” Simone sighed. She wanted to scream. “I don’t understand what’s going on with him.”

“It would explain it if Toby read that message.” Maria pointed out. “You always tell him about the messages you get from who and whatnot. This is the first time you’ve not said anything because you’re trying to keep something from him. He’s naturally going to think you’re up to something.”

“You think he’s taken that text the wrong way and believes I’ve been cheating.” Even as she said it Simone felt the cold dread settle in her stomach. “Oh, God. He has as well. It would explain why he’s acting this way.”

Toby thought she was having an affair. Simone felt ill. She couldn’t believe he could think like that of her. She trusted him completely and Simone thought he felt the same about her.

“I need to talk to him.” She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “But how do I say I’m not cheating without giving away what’s really going on?”

“You’ll have to think of something.” Maria picked up her mug. “Can’t help you there, sis.”

*****

Simone pulled into the drive and parked behind Emil’s car. Turning the engine off, she sat there for a moment staring at Emil’s house, which glinted in the midday sun. She hadn’t meant to end up here; she had simply driven around the city after meeting Maria, not wanting to go home and face her husband. His behavior made her uncomfortable and unhappy.

Something in her subconscious brought Simone to Emil’s place. Maybe she just needed reassurance from a friend that things were fine between her and Toby and it was just something silly like mistaking an innocent text for something else entirely. Asking Toby about it with his current attitude would be pointless.

Simone wished her husband liked surprises. Maybe in the future they should not look at each other’s phones. She didn’t want to look at his phone one day and see a text from a woman she didn’t know. That would have her hackles up, for sure.

Climbing out the car and smoothing down her blouse, Simone went up the steps to the door. It took three rings to get Emil to the front door and when he opened it Simone could see why. He was dressed in just a towel and a bathrobe that was open. Simone found herself staring at his chest and stomach and covered her eyes.

“Jesus, Emil! Put it away, will you?”

“I thought it was away.” Emil’s voice held some amusement.

Simone groaned.

“Could you at least close the robe? Friends we may be but I’m not interested in staring at your half-naked body.”

Emil grunted and there was the rustling of clothing. When Simone looked again he had pulled his robe closed and was tying the belt.

“You must be the only woman I know who doesn’t like drooling over me.”

“With Toby around, I don’t need to.”

Thinking about Toby had Simone sobering up. Emil seemed to sense something was wrong and he frowned.

“What’s wrong, Simone? What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I didn’t mean to turn up here.” Simone sighed and made a helpless gesture with her hands. “But I needed to talk to someone.”

“Why don’t you talk to Toby? That’s what you normally do.”

“It’s about Toby.” Simone bit her lip. “You’re his best friend so…”

She left that unfinished. For a moment Emil looked conflicted, glancing back into the house. Then Simone realized that he might not be alone and flushed.

“Oh, sorry, you’re entertaining, aren’t you? I’ll go. Sorry to bother you.”

She turned to leave but Emil grabbed her hand and pulled her inside, shutting the door. Simone righted herself, wondering what the neighbors would think if they had looked out at that point and seeing Emil pulling a black woman into his house when he was wearing just a towel and a robe. They would have a field day.

“Don’t worry about me entertaining.” Emil dropped her hand and ushered her down the hall. “I think we still need to catch our breath.”

“That’s not helpful, Emil. I don’t want to have a blow-by-blow account of your night’s events.”

Emil laughed. They entered the open-plan lounge and kitchen at the back. The entire back wall was floor-to-ceiling windows, showing the pool out the back, a huge, immaculate garden, and a beautiful view of the countryside. A redheaded woman was sitting curled up on the couch reading a magazine. She was wearing a bathrobe matching Emil’s and her hair was wet. Simone guessed she had either been swimming or just had a shower. She hoped it was the latter and that she had something on under her robe.

“Emma, you remember Simone Reynolds?”

Then Simone took a closer look at the woman and realized it was Emma, the girl who worked behind the bar at the club. Her hair was usually up in a ponytail and Simone had never seen her in anything other than her uniform of a polo shirt and jeans. Emma was a nice girl, always willing to have a chat. But Simone did wonder how someone like Emma had ended up spending the night with Emil when she wasn’t a married woman. They were his preferred tastes.

Maybe Emil’s tastes were finally changing, which would put several husbands in the area at ease.

Emma gave Simone her usual warm smile. After her relationship breakdown it was nice to see her smile again.

“Hey, Simone.”

“Hi.”

Simone felt awkward. Talking about her marital troubles didn’t seem right in front of Emma. Emil sensed that she wanted privacy and went to Emma, pressing a kiss to her head.

“Do you mind giving us a minute, sweets? Simone was just picking up a few things I got for her husband’s birthday.” He winked. “Keeping it a surprise, you know?”

“Sure.” Emma put the magazine down and stood. “I’ll go and shower.” She smiled at Simone. “I won’t say a word to Toby.”

Simone watched her go. She waited until she heard the bedroom door shut and turned to Emil with a grin.