‘Don’t you think it’s about time you started working out or something, Rory?’ remarked Deirdre. ‘You’re obviously terribly unfit.’

‘Work out? Me? What’s your address, O’Dare? Doolally Lane, Cloud Cuckoo Land?’

‘Well, you could at least try jogging . That’s how Sebastian keeps fit. He jogs before rehearsal every morning.’

‘The only jogging I’m interested in Deirdre, as I know you’re aware from personal experience, is of a horizontal nature.’

Deirdre had walked into it yet again.

‘And I’m reasonably certain that your boyfriend – that hip, hot, happening dude, Sebastian, has a penchant for that kind of jogging too. But I’m sure you know that already. May I?’ he asked politely, taking the bottle of water from her and drinking deeply.

‘He’s not my boyfriend,’ Deirdre snapped, her face flaming.

Rory looked at her. There was something curious and calculating in his expression. Then he took another swig of water. ‘Well, well.’ He raised an eyebrow at her. ‘I’m surprised to hear that, what with all the sheep’s eyes acting you’ve been doing since he came on the scene. Do you mean to tell me that he doesn’t reciprocate your warm feelings towards him?’

‘Just get off my case, will you Rory?’ She turned on him with blazing eyes.

‘Wow! Deirdre O’Dare kicks ass. You should get lippy more often, Deirdre. It suits you. I’ve always liked that sassy streak in you.’

Deirdre turned away from him again. ‘Go away, Rory,’ she said in an excessively polite tone, articulating every syllable. ‘You quite clearly have a jaundiced mind. You are odious and you are hateful.’

‘And you are oxymoronic and tautological, sweetheart.’ He handed back the bottle of water. ‘Just let me say one thing before I go, witch. What does Hamlet say to Gertrude in the second scene of the play?’

Deirdre didn’t answer. She wasn’t about to play guessing games with Rory McDonagh.

‘He says: “Seems, Madam? Nay, I know not seems.” Listen to me, Deirdre. You’re not going to want to know this, but Sebastian Hardy knows “seems” inside out. He’s smiling and he’s smiling, but there’s some serious villainy going on there.’

© 2005 Kate Thompson