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"Why?" I say, stopping in surprise "What’s in your…" I tail off as Suze’s cheeks slowly turn pink "Suze!" I say, backing quietly away from the door "No Is there so gown around her defensively, without saying anything

"I don’t believe it!" My voice squeaks incredulously "I go away for fivea torrid affair!"

This is cheeringa juicy piece of gossip to raise your spirits

"It’s not a torrid affair!" says Suze at last "It’s not an affair at all"

"So, who is it? Do I know hionized look

"OK, just… I just have to explain Before you… you ju conclusion, or…" She closes her eyes "God, this is hard"

"Suze, what’s wrong?"

Suddenly there’s the sound of stirring from inside Suze’s bedroom, and we stare at each other

"OK, listen It was just a one-off," she says quickly "Just a… a really i, Suze?" I pull a face "Oh God, it’s not Nick, is it?"

Nick is Suze’s last boyfriend -- the one as constantly depressed and getting drunk and blahto

"No, it’s not Nick It’s… Oh God"

"Suze--"

"OK! But you have to promise to--"

"To what?"

"To not… react"

"Why should I react?" I say, laughing a little "Iabout is…"

I tail off as Suze’s door opens -- and it’s only Tarquin, looking not at all bad, in chinos and the juht you were going to be Suze’s new--"

I break off and look at Suze with a grin

But she doesn’t grin back She’s chewing her nails, avoiding lance at Tarquin -- and he looks away, too

No No

She can’t mean--