The Long Weekend by Veronica Henry Page A

of interest in Angelica’s personal life obvious.
    ‘Do we know what time Trevor and Monique are getting here?’
    ‘Not till the evening, I don’t think. I’ve booked them in for dinner.’
    ‘I know. We’re eating with them.’
    ‘We are?’
    ‘Eight-thirty.’
    Claire sighed. ‘This really isn’t the best weekend for a major business meeting.’
    ‘Tough.’ Luca was crisp. ‘You know what Trevor’s like. He’s the money man. If he wants to talk about business, then we drop everything.’
    ‘And what about all our other guests? We’re fully booked except for one room.’
    ‘We can handle it. The guys in the kitchen know they’ve got to pull their weight if I need to take some time out. We’re covered for staff.’
    ‘I can stay till whenever, if you need me,’ Angelica offered.
    ‘Thanks, Angelica. You’re a star.’ Angelica knew that Claire’s accompanying smile signified more than just gratitude for the offer. She’d got her out of a hole.
    But with an awful inevitability, the hole was opening up again. Behind Luca, Angelica could see Nick coming down the stairs. As could Claire, who jumped up with a false hostessy smile.
    ‘Nick,’ she said, her voice high with tension. ‘Come and meet Luca. He’s going to be in charge of your stag dinner tomorrow. Luca, this is Nick. You won’t believe the coincidence. I had no idea he was the groom. He’s an old friend. We go back a long way.’
    ‘Really.’ Luca’s tone was dry. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, then held out his hand as an afterthought. Nick took it, the epitome of well-bred charm.
    ‘It’s a wonderful place you’ve got here.’
    ‘It is,’ agreed Luca. ‘It is indeed.’
    His eyes flicked from the empty bottle to Claire to Nick.
    He knows , thought Angelica. He knows this guy is a threat . It was basic instinct, she supposed. Any minute now he’d be cocking his leg and peeing all over the furniture.
    Nick smiled round at the three of them, sensing awkwardness. Angelica thought she detected Claire giving him the slightest shake of her head, to warn him not to give anything away.
    ‘I thought I’d go and check out the town, before the others arrive,’ he managed eventually. ‘They’ve not long left London, so they’ll be a while yet.’
    Claire nodded. ‘Good idea. We’ll look after them when they get here, don’t worry.’ She cleared her throat. ‘The delicatessen does a good pasty.’
    Luca smirked. Angelica felt queasy with tension. Nick shoved his hands in his jacket pockets.
    ‘Well, I’ll see you later, I guess.’
    As he walked out of the door, three pairs of eyes followed him, but nothing was said.
    ‘Well, this won’t get the baby a new bonnet.’ Claire spoke finally.
    Luca raised an eyebrow.
    ‘No, indeed.’
    Angelica gathered up the empty glasses. And the by now empty bottle.
    ‘It was only half full,’ Claire told Luca.
    ‘You don’t have to explain. It’s important, to have good staff relations.’ He turned to Angelica. ‘Let us know if you need any time out to get over your trauma.’ You could have iced a cake with the sweet mockery in his voice.
    Luca sauntered off towards the kitchen. Claire couldn’t quite meet Angelica’s eye. She realised she had told her too much. The shock and the wine had loosened her tongue.
    ‘Shit,’ she said.
    ‘What are you going to do?’ asked Angelica, dying to hear more.
    ‘I’ve got no choice,’ replied Claire. ‘Keep calm and carry on.’
    And she walked over to reception without a backward glance.
    Luca always felt relaxed in his kitchen, even if no one else did. He had designed it exactly as he wanted it. He knew every switch, every appliance, every flame. He could have cooked a meal in here blindfold. He loved every square inch of its stainless-steel perfection. His knives were murderously sharp; his pans heavy and solid. His fridges were at the optimum temperature. His private collection of tools was kept in a big drawer, and woe