Bella glanced down at the sheet and rolled her eyes. ‘Ed said, Lexi always leaves the windows open when she goes out. It’s a security issue.’
‘See!’ Lexi laughed. ‘Now, about this nominating.’ She picked up the first shot and handed it to Bella. ‘All yours.’
‘Thought you’d never ask,’ Bella tipped it back in one movement. She licked her lips with relish, then belched. Bella loved to belch. Despite the immaculate outfits, the full make-up, the perfume-sweetened skin, she belched like a barbarian.
‘Question two,’ Bella began. She leaned forward – giving everyone a clear view down the neckline of her dress – whispering theatrically, ‘Don’t worry, the answers get a lot more interesting.’
Lexi had to keep reminding herself to smile.
‘We asked Ed how many sexual partners you’ve had.’
Her jaw tightened. ‘You asked him that?’
‘There’s no “we” by the way,’ Robyn said, palms raised.
Bella grinned. ‘Sure did.’
‘I can’t believe you.’ She knew Ed would’ve hated being asked that. Brassy and outspoken – those were the words he’d used to describe Bella a few weeks ago, which had prompted their first row.
‘Honey,’ Bella said, planting a hand on her hip, ‘we’ve not even got into the hard stuff. I mean, I could’ve asked him how many people you’ve slept with in one night.’
Lexi stared at Bella, who was grinning. She honestly thought this was good fun. Her sister-in-law was sitting at the table, for God’s sake. Ed was no wallflower, but Lexi had scrimped on some of the details of her past. The crowd she used to mix with were dancers, which meant supple bodies in tiny outfits, and wild parties, and drink and drugs and sex. Lexi wasn’t sorry for any of it. She loved sex. Loved men. But it was in her past.
‘I’m not answering that question. I hope Ed didn’t either.’
‘He answered,’ Bella said, raising her eyebrows at whatever was written on the paper. ‘You either give us your answer or take the shot.’
A brittle silence crackled around the table. Lexi wasn’t about to do either. She wanted to leave the terrace, walk down the stone steps to the beach and sink her feet in the sea. But if she left, it would make things worse – it would show that Bella had got to her. ‘Fine. A dozen.’
‘That’s what you told Ed? Oh, babe, that’s hilarious!’ Bella laughed. ‘But no, I’m afraid your answer is incorrect. Your husband-to-be said, and I quote, Lexi, of course, was a virgin when we met.’
Everyone laughed, including Lexi, the tension easing a little.
‘There you go,’ Bella said, handing her the shot.
The old Lexi wouldn’t have blinked. She’d have knocked it back without hesitation.
‘Get it down you,’ Bella said, challenging her.
Lexi stared at the clear liquid. Slowly, she lifted the glass to her lips, took the ouzo into her throat, felt its hot bite. She held it there while she set down the empty glass. Then, as Bella’s gaze returned to the questions, Lexi ducked low and spat the liquid into the cactus behind her.
Bella’s head whipped up. ‘Er. What was that?’
Lexi straightened, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth.
‘You may be a woman who spits not swallows – but never with alcohol.’
‘I don’t want to make this a drinking game.’
‘It’s one shot.’
‘I’m not in the mood for drinking,’ she snapped.
‘I do not speak your language. Is there a translator anywhere? This woman is saying, I’m not in the mood for drinking?’
Around the table, the others smiled uneasily.
‘As your forfeit, you can do two,’ Bella decided, picking up two more shot glasses and holding them out.
Lexi’s hands remained at her sides.
Bella’s chin lifted a fraction. The atmosphere stretched taut.
‘Here, I’ll do the forfeit,’ Robyn said, standing quickly.
‘You will not!’ Bella refused.
Robyn hesitated uncertainly. She looked between Lexi and Bella, then lowered herself back down.
Bella thrust the two shots towards Lexi. ‘They are yours.’
Lexi looked Bella square in the eye. Shook her head. ‘I said no.’
‘What is going on?’ Bella asked, genuinely bemused. ‘You’re not bloody pregnant, are you?’
Lexi held herself very still.
Across the darkening terrace, a moth fluttered towards the candlelight.