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love Brighton and can’t imagine living anywhere else, but it is a bit too white.’ He paused. ‘I didn’t have a great time at school.’
    ‘Didn’t you?’ Sapphire had never talked to Jay about his schooldays. Well, the truth was she hadn’t really talked to Jay about that much of anything.
    ‘I had to move secondary schools because I was racially bullied.’
    Sapphire looked at him with concern, ‘Were you, babe? I’m sorry.’
    Jay shrugged. ‘It was a long time ago, but it has left its mark. I think something like that always does.’
    Before Sapphire could ask him any further questions, Christine spoke, ‘Sapphire was bullied at school. This horrible group of girls picked on her after her dad died, can you believe it? Calling her names, ganging up on her at a time when she was very vulnerable. I was so angry.’
    Had her mum been angry? Sapphire couldn’t remember her being anything other than completely grief-stricken and powerless to help her daughter.
    ‘Mum! Jay doesn’t want to hear about that, it was years ago.’
    ‘I didn’t even know you’d lost your dad,’ Jay replied.
    Cue more accusing looks from Jay and Christine. This was exactly why she didn’t like introducing boyfriends to her mum – too many questions, stirring up too many emotions.
    ‘Well, it hadn’t come up.’ Face it; she wasn’t with Jay for the sparkling conversation.
    This was turning out into the night from hell! Sapphire hated being put on the spot like this. Though at least there was one good thing: Christine clearly hadn’t remembered that it would have been Sapphire’s fifth wedding anniversary today. Most years she remembered the date only too well and there’d be a rehash of Sapphire’s failed marriage and why Alfie had been unfaithful – Christine had always adored him. Sapphire had often suspected that Christine blamed Sapphire for the break-up of the marriage.
    Fortunately conversation then turned to other things: how Sapphire’s business was going, how her aunt was who lived in America, Jay’s own family. But it was a relief when dinner was over. Usually Sapphire would be expected to stay until around ten but tonight her mum actually seemed in a bit of a hurry to get rid of her, saying that she had to get on with her computer work.
    ‘You don’t think mum’s got an online porn addiction do you?’ Sapphire joked as she and Jay walked back along to the seafront to her flat.
    Jay ignored the comment. ‘Why didn’t you tell me your dad had died?’
    Immediately Sapphire could feel herself clamming up. ‘I just don’t like to talk about it, that’s all. What is there to say anyway? He died, it was shit, I still really miss him, my mum’s life still seems shit but life goes on, doesn’t it?’
    Jay sighed and put his arm round her. ‘Sapphire, you don’t have to put on an act for me.’
    ‘I don’t put on an act.’
    ‘Whatever. Back to yours?’
    Sapphire was all set to say no but actually the thought of being in the flat on her own was not an appealing one right now – she’d only end up thinking about Alfie or her dad or both.
    ‘Yeah, and thanks for helping out with Mum. I appreciate it.’
    ‘No worries, but you now owe me one.’
    ‘Go on then – name the sexual favour of your choice.’
    ‘Yeah, I have that anyway, but I also want you to meet my family.’
    Bollocks! Sapphire reluctantly agreed but she was determined to put the meeting off for as long as possible.
    ‘It’s my dad’s birthday in a few weeks’ time, come round for dinner.’
    Shit, it wasn’t going to be easy getting out of that one. She’d have to pull out all the stops to come up with an excuse.
    ‘Great,’ she replied, without making eye contact with Jay. ‘I can’t wait. Now, about that sexual favour . . .’

Chapter 3
    ‘ CAN YOU GIVE me really long lashes?’ Sapphire asked Jazz who was making her up for the school reunion. Now there was no getting out of the event, Sapphire was determined to be