The Bedroom Assignment. Sophie Weston

      CHAPTER ONE

      ‘THERE’S more to relationships than sex, Zo,’ announced her best friend with energy. ‘You’ve got to be a bit more flexible.’

      In the act of filling the kettle, Zoe Brown looked up and stared in disbelief. ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said. ‘Where did that come from?’

      Suze had rushed into the old-fashioned kitchen like a whirlwind, casting her briefcase to one side and her shopping bags to the other. She had not even sat down before she launched her bombshell. Now she perched on the settle against the wall with a small, complacent smile.

      ‘I don’t know what it is that Simon’s done…’ She paused expectantly.

      Zoe cast her eyes to heaven. ‘Is there anything you don’t think is your business? What did you do? Stake out my house? Tap my phone?’

      Suze grinned. But she was not to be deflected. ‘Don’t be coy. I don’t have to spy on you to know what you’re up to. We have no secrets.’

      If only you knew, Suze.

      Zoe found she had over-filled the kettle. She emptied some water out, and then switched the thing on before turning back to her friend.

      ‘I knew something was wrong,’ Suze announced loftily. Then added, with a slight diminution of ineffability, ‘Besides, Simon called me.’

      Well, that figured, thought Zoe. Suze had introduced her and Simon Frobisher in the first place. Simon was a member of Suze’s Young Business Network. It was natural that he should confide in her when his fledgling romance with Zoe hit the buffers.

      ‘Have you two had a row?’

      ‘Not really,’ said Zoe uncomfortably. ‘We talked, but—’

      Suze sighed theatrically. ‘You talked!’ she echoed. ‘And another one bites the dust! I don’t believe you.’

      Zoe looked away. ‘Is he very upset?’ she said with compunction.

      Suze pursed her lips. ‘Confused is probably a better word,’ she pronounced.

      ‘I’m sorry about that.’

      ‘It’s understandable. He’s a scarce commodity and he knows it. Single, straight, solvent. And a business that’s going to make him a millionaire in the next five years. From his point of view, it’s a seller’s market.’

      Zoe felt slightly better. ‘You mean he isn’t breaking his heart?’

      In contrast to Zoe, who was barefoot in dusty cut-offs and a torn tee shirt, Suze was dressed in a business suit. But she kicked her legs against the settle like the five-year-old she had been when they’d first met at kindergarten.

      ‘No, but he’s scratching his head. He muttered something about sex…’ Again Suze left an inviting pause.

      ‘Did he?’ Zoe’s tone was discouraging.

      ‘Aw, come on, Zo. Give.’

      ‘Have a coffee,’ said Zoe firmly.

      She made instant coffee in two thick china mugs and padded across the kitchen with them. Suze took hers, but she frowned with irritation.

      ‘I mean, you can’t keep going through men like they grow on trees.’ Her voice was full of righteous indignation. ‘Quite apart from anything else, it’s not fair to the rest of us.’

      Zoe gave a hollow laugh. ‘Is that right?’

      Suze did not notice it was hollow. ‘And it’s beastly inconvenient. I never know who you’re going to bring to a party.’

      Zoe pushed back her untidy brown curls and hitched herself up onto the corner of the cluttered table. ‘Well, if that’s all you’re worried about—’