Chapter 4

When I got back to the table, someone had apparently said something. Dominic was finishing a sentence: "—just an acquaintance."

Everyone exchanged glances.

I sat back down and pretended I hadn't heard.

Then his friends decided they were interested in me.

"How long have you been married, Vivian?"

Dominic looked at me directly. "How long?"

I answered into the vague middle distance. "Three years."

"What do you do?"

Dominic started to turn to me, and I jumped in: "I teach at the university. Music department."

"That's lovely." He gave a nod of approval.

His friend leaned back with a look of fond exasperation. "You didn't know anything about her, did you."

Dominic set down his fork.

"I know her husband cheated on her. The marriage is over. She's about to be divorced." He paused. "Isn't that enough?"