All Chapters of THE STAND-IN WIFE: Three weeks,One lie,No way out: Chapter 31 - Chapter 34

ZARATuesday, 6:58amThe kitchen light was already on when she came out.It was always on. She left it on every night and every morning it was still burning. Ordinary now. Just the kitchen.But something on the counter beside the coffee machine hadn't been there last night.A small jar. Dark glass. A handwritten label.Mae's coffee blend. In Mae's handwriting.She stood at the counter.The jar had been sealed and resealed, the lid slightly uneven, the label applied at a small angle. Packaged at home. Probably last night after they'd left. Probably while something played on the television at low volume.Callum came out at seven.Dark shirt. No jacket. Hair not yet decided.He looked at the jar.She arrived this morning. By car. While we were asleep.He picked it up. Read the label. Put it back exactly where she'd left it.He filled the kettle. Got the cups down. Measured carefully from the jar, slightly more carefully than usual, and made two cups the way the label said.He put hers in

ZARASaturday, 9:03amCallum had his phone beside his plate.She reached across the table and turned it facedown.Financial District.Her fork stopped over the eggs.No.It’s reputable.So is a bank.He picked up his coffee.Established.Even worse.Forty years.She pushed the eggs to one side of her plate.Forty years of selling rings to people who want everyone three streets away to know they're wearing one.His thumb rested against the coffee cup.That isn't what they do.That is exactly what they do.You haven't been inside.I've seen the window.That isn't the shop.It might as well be. Everything in that place catches light from three rooms away.The point of a ring is that you notice it.Not mine.He put the cup down.You haven't even seen what I'd choose.You'd choose something sensible.I usually do.Exactly.His mouth tightened for half a second.She picked up her fork.Something with a stone.No.A large stone.No.A large stone surrounded by smaller stones.Absolutely not.