Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell Page B

you afraid of?'
        You, you, you.
        'Nothing.' All the feeling had gone from her legs.
        'So why won't you let me in?'
        'It just isn't… convenient.'
        'Oh? And why's that?' demanded Stella. 'Could it possibly be because you have my husband up there with you in your flat?'
        How? How could she possibly know? Feeling sick, Erin said, 'I don't, OK? He's not here. Look, I'm not answering the door and I'm going back upstairs now, so please just… go away.'
        Unbelievably, Fergus hadn't heard any of this. As she stumbled back into the living room, he patted the sofa and said, 'What was it, Jehovah's Witnesses? Come here, I've missed you.'
        'It was Stella.' The words felt like ice in her mouth.
        His expression abruptly changed. 'You're joking. It can't be.'
        They both jumped as a shower of gravel rattled against the window.
        'Oh God.' Erin's stomach clenched. This was turning into Fatal Attraction.
        'Come on, Fergus, I know you're in there.' Stella's furious voice sailed up to them; she was outside on the pavement now, in full view of anyone who happened to be passing.
        'She's making a scene,' said Erin.
        Fergus looked grim. 'She wants to make a scene. Stella's always been a drama queen.'
        'Fergus, you cheating BASTARD,' bellowed Stella.
        'Oh God.' Erin covered her mouth as Fergus rose to his feet.
        'Right, that's it.' He crossed the room and flung open the window.
        'Ha! I knew it!' Stella yelled.
        'Fine, good for you. But this is exactly why I didn't tell you before.' Fergus shook his head in despair. 'I knew you'd make a fuss.'
        'Why wouldn't I make a fuss? You're my husband!'
        'Stella, we're not together anymore. We broke up six months ago. We're getting a divorce.'
        'Thanks to her, ' Stella screeched like a parrot.
        Oh no, no, no . Leaping up, Erin raced over to the open window. 'Hang on, that's not true, you can't—'
        ' You ,' Stella jabbed an accusing finger up at her, 'are a lying, marriage-wrecking bitch!'
        'I'm not, I'm really not, I promise. This only just happened.'
        'Oh yes, and of course I'm going to believe that.' Shaking her head, Stella said bitterly, 'Of course I'm going to believe everything you say.'
        'I swear to God, I'm telling the truth!'
        'Really? Just like you did the other day, when I came into the shop and asked you if you thought Fergus was seeing anyone? And you said no, you definitely didn't think he was?'
        Erin flinched, closing her eyes for a moment. 'OK, that wasn't completely true. But I promise the other stuff is. I would never have an affair with a married man.'
    'You're having an affair with one now!'
    'But you're separated .'
        Below her on the pavement, Stella spread her arms wide. 'And now we know why!'
        God, this was a nightmare. Look at them, yelling at each other like a couple of fishwives. People heading along the High Street were turning to stare, stopping to listen.
        'Right, that's enough.' It was Fergus's turn to intervene. 'This isn't getting us anywhere. Stella, you're being unfair—'
        ' I'm being unfair? My God, you hypocrite! My life is in tatters thanks to you, and you expect me to just stand here and take it?'
        'Everyone's looking at you. You're making a spectacle of your self.' Exasperated, Fergus said, 'Go home, Stella. We'll talk about this tomorrow when you've calmed down.'
        'Hang on.' Erin knew she wouldn't be able to rest until she'd asked the question. 'Look, I'm really sorry you're upset, and I swear I've only been seeing Fergus for a few weeks, but how did you know he'd be here tonight? Did someone tell you?'
        Stella gazed up at her. 'Like who?'
        'Like anyone. Because we haven't told anyone,' said Erin. 'Because we didn't want you to find out and be upset.'
        'Well, that worked