‘Fede rode all by herself,' said Mariana, fanning herself as she wandered slowly onto the terrace.
‘You look exhausted, Mama.’ He smiled fondly at her.
‘I am, Ramon. It’s been hot and tiring. But it was lovely. We missed you, mi amor.1 She sank into an easy chair.
‘Well, it’s been very quiet here,’ he said, yawning. ‘I’ve done nothing all afternoon but read Papa’s book. It’s rather good.’
‘Me alegro.’ She sighed. ‘I’m glad you had a nice time.’
‘How about you and me go for a swim this evening before bedtime?’ suggested Ramon to Federica, suddenly wanting to make up for not having joined her for lunch.
‘Yes please, Papa,’ she enthused. ‘Abuelito can look after my box again,’ she said and watched him come out into the sunshine in his crooked panama hat. ‘Can’t you, Abuelito?’
‘What’s that, Fede?’ he replied, opening his eyes wide, pretending to look startled. Federica giggled; she loved it when her grandfather pulled faces.
‘You can look after my box while I’m swimming with Papa in the sea,’ she said.
‘Careful the crocodiles don’t eat you,’ he said humorously.
‘There are no crocodiles in the sea, silly!’ she laughed.
Estella emerged with a heavy tray of tea, cake and biscuits. Ramon helped
her unload it onto the table. Their eyes met and there passed between them the silent bond of complicity. She looked the same as she had that morning except the corners of her mouth curled up with satisfaction in spite of her efforts to dissemble.
‘I think Estella has a lover in the village.' Mariana commented once the maid had retreated back into the house.
‘Dios, Mariana, what does it matter?’ said Ignacio, slicing the cake.
‘Oh, it doesn’t matter, Nacho, I’m just rather curious as to who it is,’ she replied, taking a cup and saucer and handing it to Helena who emerged with Hal from the dark sitting room.
‘What makes you think she’s got a lover, Mama?’ Ramon asked, amused.
‘Because she glows. It’s a woman thing. I can sense it in her step and in her eyes.’
‘You perceptive old devil,’ he laughed. Helena sat down next to Federica and lit a cigarette. The sight of her husband made her feel uneasy.
‘I might be old, mi amor, but I’m not a devil,’ Mariana replied, her pale grey eyes smiling at her son affectionately.
‘So what if she has a lover,’ said Ignacio, shrugging his shoulders.
‘Who’s got a lover?’ Helena asked, handing Hal a piece of cake.
‘Estella.’
‘I agree,’ she replied. ‘It’s a woman thing, as Mariana says. It’s in her eyes.’
Ramon laughed heartily. ‘Good girl. No wonder she looks well. She looks satisfied,’ he said with pride.
‘Well, if he’s compromised her I hope he marries her. Some men aren’t as honourable as they should be,’ said Mariana sternly. ‘Poor girl, I hope she knows what she’s doing.’
Ramon chewed on the cake. ‘Good, isn’t it, Fede?’ he said, smiling down at her. She grinned up at him and nodded. Mariana watched her granddaughter and noticed that she never took her eyes off her father. She loved her mother too. Helena was a good mother. But there was a very special bond between Ramon and his daughter. She was saddened that he had to rush off and leave her all the time. She watched the child’s adoring face and felt pity for her.
Chapter 7
The next few weeks were hot and languorous. Mariana took time to enjoy her small grandchildren and give Helena a break from domesticity. She noticed that her daughter-in-law was often tense and unhappy, usually when she was with her husband, for then she smoked twice as many cigarettes as usual. She also noticed, however, that she was constantly watching him. When she spoke it was for his benefit and when he didn’t react she would go silent as if intent on forcing a reaction. At times Ramon barely acknowledged her presence. But Mariana refused to believe that their marriage was disintegrating and put it down to the natural estrangement bred during their long months apart.
Federica and Hal played on the beach, dipped in the cold sea and entertained themselves drawing pictures and showing them to their proud grandparents and parents who applauded them and loved them, making them feel cherished and secure.
Ignacio watched his son with increasing gloom. He disguised his pessimism behind the face of a clown that he put on for his grandchildren to play the fool. But inside he knew that unless his son settled down and looked after his family properly, Helena really would leave him. He wondered whether that would mean she would leave Chile altogether. It would break their hearts if she took her precious children to England. They would grow up on another shore, with other grandparents and forget their Chilean family. It would be all Ramon’s fault. He was selfish and irresponsible. That marriage had been doomed right from the start.