Secrets and LIES

She’d never set out to deceive Zac, but now Hilary was about to be caught out!

- Ginny Swart

Liz, it was just a little white lie, but I never imagined we’d ever meet face to face! Why on earth did I ever tell him I was 35?’

Hilary hated to be caught out like this.

For over a year, she had enjoyed chatting on a gardening website with Zac, a witty, 30-something aeronautical engineer who was passionate about gardening. He had a lot of tips when it came to making compost and, from the first time they’d exchanged advice about aphids, they’d clicked.

Very soon their conversation had branched out to cover just about every topic under the sun, and now the two of them met online every day, just chatting.

‘But now things have started to get serious and I’ve got to face the fact that he’s 15 years younger than I am, Liz!’

‘Well, you said he was funny and well read, and interested in everything going on in the world,’ said Liz. ‘I don’t blame you for wanting to keep writing.’

‘And now he tells me he lives 10 miles away, and wants to meet for a meal at that pasta restaurant on Saturday. What can I do?’ She looked at Liz in despair. ‘He’ll be horrified when he sees how old I really am.’

‘Nonsense,’ said Liz staunchly. ‘You look pretty good for your age. Why not come over to the salon tomorrow and I’ll give you a whole new look. New hairstyle, super facial, everything. And we’ll go shopping for a killer dress. In the candlelight, he’ll be so knocked out by your charm that he won’t notice any age difference.’