‘Yes, I did, as you weren’t around to talk to. As usual.’
Toby stood up, stumbling slightly as he walked across to her. As he drew near, Sophy became aware of the smell of him: a sweet, musty, faintly obnoxious smell that was on his breath and clothes. It told her exactly how he had spent the night. Not that she needed proof. He was still clearly under the influence of the drugs he’d imbibed. ‘Don’t you talk to me like that. I’m your husband,’ he said thickly.
There were many replies she could have made to that. Biting her tongue, she said again, ‘Cat’s missing. Do you understand?’
‘Her? Huh. She’s likely with someone who’s caught her fancy. And I mean a woman, incidentally. Your great friend is nothing more than a—’
‘Stop it!’ Her voice was almost a scream. ‘Don’t you dare talk about Cat in that way.’
‘I’ll say what I like in my own house,’ he shouted back. ‘And you, you’re no better. Daughter of a whore and with the same inclinations—’
Nothing could have stopped her hand shooting out and making contact with the side of his face in a ringing slap. And there was no doubt he would have hit her, his doubled fist coming up to strike even as Sadie virtually burst into the room, causing his hand to hover in the air for a second. Sadie reached Sophy in a moment, standing slightly in front of her as she glared at Toby.
He surveyed the two women; Sophy as white as a sheet and Sadie red with anger, and then, his words coming as though sieved through his teeth, he hissed, ‘To hell with you. To hell with you both.’ Swearing foully, he staggered from the room, banging the door violently behind him.
Sophy sank down on a chair, her knees all but giving way. She wanted to cry but she wouldn’t let herself. That Toby had thrown the secret she’d confided about her mother into her face so cruelly had cut her to the quick, and she knew it was the final blow to their marriage. Where her love for him had been was a great void; she didn’t even feel bitter or resentful or angry any more. For the first time she had to acknowledge that Cat was right. She must leave him and start divorce proceedings. It was now a matter of self-preservation.
The thought of Cat brought her mind back to the immediate worry. She turned to Sadie who was patting her shoulder.
‘Could I have something to eat, Sadie? Something light. And a hot drink. Tea, not coffee.’
Obviously glad of something to do, Sadie bustled off, muttering something under her breath about feckless husbands and what she’d like to do with them.
Sophy lay back against the chair. She was tired in mind and body. So much had happened in the last few days. Patience, Cat, and now this with Toby. She didn’t let herself think of Kane Gregory, that was a road too complex and disturbing to go down.
She shut her eyes, her head aching through lack of sleep. Please, God, please let Cat be found alive and well. Let there be some kind of simple explanation for her going away, like Kane suggested. But Kane hadn’t believed it, she knew he hadn’t. And neither did she.
Chapter 17
Once Kane had sent Eliza home in a cab, he called Ralph into his study and explained the circumstances which had driven Sophy to call on him.
The big man’s face was sombre when Kane finished speaking. ‘Don’t like the sound of it, boss,’ he said gruffly. Kane was normally ‘boss’ when they were alone, other times he was ‘sir’ or ‘Mr Gregory’, but always he had Ralph’s absolute loyalty. ‘Usually means only one thing when a young woman disappears.’