Chapter 7 Celebrating...

She did start to enjoy herself as the party progressed. She flitted from one laughing group to another, on a high that had nothing to do with the glass of champagne she held. Revenge had acted on her like a powerful drug and she glowed like a neon sign. Be er still, she was everywhere, making sure everyone had enough to eat and drink, so that it was almost eleven before Allys caught up with her again, when she came to test on the now depleted food table.

'I see, Joe Campbell is here', she referred to the TV celebrity who had caused quite a stir when he arrived half an hour ago. 'You know he's a wolf in wolf's clothing, don't you?'

Cathy swung round in exasperation. 'Oh, Allys, not again please! Besides, what's so special about him being here. He attends lots of parties'.

'The grapevine has been linking your names for the past two weeks, that's what's special. The man is trouble with a capital 'T''.

Cathy topped her glass of champagne and sipped at it appreciatively before answering. 'So am I. Didn't I prove that today? I know very well what Joe wants and you know he isn't going to get it. In the meantime, it can't hurt me to be seen with him. We're good publicity for each other'.

Allys pressed her lips together so as not to say something she might regret later. 'What about George? You've ignored him ever since he arrived. Do you think that's fair?'

Cathy followed Allys' glance to where a sandy haired man stood brooding over a drink in a corner. 'I can't stand a man who sulks. Good heavens, he knows almost everyone here! It wouldn't hurt him to mingle'.

'He told me you invited him to dinners d he turns up to find a party'.

'The invitation was made over a week ago. I hadn't planned the party then', Cathy shrugged, ignoring a tweak of conscience that reminded her that she had forgotten all about George, her mind taken up with Jake Hunt.

'That's no excuse and you know it! You can't use people like this'.

Cathy scowled. Why did Allys constantly rehash this old complaint? Tonight, she could have done without it. 'I treat people the way they treat me'.

'No, you don't ', Allys contradicted swiftly. 'You treat them the was Jake Hunt treated you, callously. But you fail to realise that they aren't all like him'.

'I'm not going to give them a chance to be.I don't ask for anything, and I don't give anything!' Cathy declared fiercely.

Allys was about to say more when she was interrupted by the strident ringing of the doorbell.

Cathy was relieved. She hated arguing with her friend. Allys could not accept that she was happy with the way she lived her life. 'Saved by the bell', she said and frowned for whoever was inside had their fingers set on the button. Wondering who on earth it could be, Cathy quickly excused herself and made her way into the dimly lit hall.

The irritating clamour went on and on. 'All right', all right, I'm coming!' she muttered fiercely, flinging the door wide open and preparing to give the impatient caller a piece of her mind. In the event, she only managed to utter one word and that a croak as she saw exactly who stood on her doorstep. 'You!' she gasped, in mingled shock and horror.

'Celebrating?' Jake Hunt queried contemptuously, his I y eyes dropping to the glass in her hand, then passing beyond to where the noise of the party spilled out.

At the sound of his voice, Cathy rediscovered the ability to move and speak. She lifted her chin. 'As a matter of fact, yes and you weren't invited', she informed him coldly and slammed the door shut.

At least she would have done just that had he not thrust his foot into the gap to stop her. All her strength was nothing compared to the force that flung the door wide again. Cathy was compelled to take a step backward to avoid injury.

'Oh no, you don't, you little bitch'. Jake Hunt snarled as he stepped inside and she couldn't help but fall back before his determined advance.

Only a step or two before her pride brought her to a halt, her eyes flashing fire. 'How dare you? Get out before I have you thrown out!'

He shut the door with an ominous thud. 'Thrown out? I don't think so , lady. You and I have some talking to do'.

A red rage seemed to burst before her eyes and she lifted her hand as she stepped forward, wanting to strike out at that hated face. But the blow never landed. He foiled her easily, catching her wrist in a grip that burnt and choked off the blood, making her wince in pain.

'Cathy? Ate you all right?' Unnoticed, Allys had come out into the hall, brought by the noise along with several of the others. Her eyes became saucers as she looked up and saw who it was, obviously recognising him from his many appearances in the newspaper. 'Oh, my goodness!'

Before Cathy could utter a word, Jake Hunt was speaking. 'This is a private argument. I'm sure Cathy doesn't want it made public, do you? He appealed to her but his look was a threat.

Even so, she might have ignored it if she hadn't glanced at their audience and seen the gleam of delight at her predicament in more than one pair of male eyes. It told her clearly that a call for help would go unanswered. They were all on Jake Hunt's side, silently willing him on to deliver the come - uppance they considered long overdue. Even Ally looked uncertain and this made Cathy lift her chin.

'No', she concurred stiffly.

His smile was grim and she knew that he hadn't missed the atmosphere.. Looking about, he spied a door on the opposite side of the hall. 'We'll go in here'. He opened the door and literally propelled her into the dark room ahead of him. 'Excuse us', he added in mock politeness before shutting the door pointedly.

Where's the light?' he demanded as Cathy struggled to free herself from his grasp. 'Damn it, keep still, or you'll only get hurt. Now where's the damned switch?'

'Behind you', Cathy gritted through her teeth. A second later, she blinked as light flooded the room, revealing a comfortable sitting room before he adjusted the dimmer to a low glow that threw shadows everywhere. Cathy had eyes only for the man who still held her fast, and they glittered with all the loathing that was in her. With his back to the light, he s menace was even more pronounced.

'Take your hands off me!'

She was released with an alacrity that would have been insulting if she hadn't been so angry. Cathy was trembling with the force of it. She could feel it as she rubbed life back into her wrists.

'Don't ever touch me again'.