When Olivier sauntered in with Caterina and declared that it was time to go home, she was disappointed. There was no point trying to persuade him to stay. Once Olivier had made up his mind to go there was no changing it. He looked pointedly at his watch, indicating his impatience with a brisk toss of his head.
Angelica said her good-byes. When she got to Jack, he took her hand and kissed her on both cheeks. “Come to South Africa. You might discover the secret you’re looking for riding across the veld.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
“Life is short.” He pleaded with his eyes.
She laughed and removed her hand. “It’s been fun meeting you and I loved your piano playing. You’re not Jack of all trades, you’re Jack, master of music. You have a wonderful gift.”
She could tell he was disappointed at her departure, and she was flattered. She hadn’t received such attention in years. She couldn’t wait to tell Candace.
Olivier was in a good mood. He didn’t mention her tardiness nor ask about Kate, and she didn’t volunteer any information.
“What a great evening,” he said, opening the car door and climbing in. “Scarlet always gives good parties.”
“She’s a pro at throwing people together and leaving them to get on with it. There are always new people, which is fun.”
“What was that South African like?” he asked. “He looked a bit pleased with himself, if you ask me.”
“Charming, actually.”
“I bet. He’s the sort of man who’s strong on charm and weak on brains. I suppose girls like that rugged Clint Eastwood appeal.”
“He was amazing on the piano. You should have joined us.”
“I didn’t think you liked singing.”
“I do. I just have a terrible voice. How was Caterina?”
He grinned. “Caterina is a naughty monkey.”
Angelica was relieved to change the subject. She didn’t want to discuss Jack with her husband. “You’ve met your match with her.”
“She’s an atrocious flirt. Her husband should keep an eye on her.”
“Nothing wrong with a flirt.”
“It’s different for a man.”
“In what way?” Angelica bristled.
“I’m afraid there are double standards. A woman flirting in front of her husband is humiliating.”
“Oh, and it’s not humiliating for a man to flirt in front of his wife?”
“It’s different.”
“Says who?”
He turned into Gloucester Road. “Boys will be boys. It means nothing. I flirted with Caterina, but she knows I am devoted to you. Whereas if you flirt with a man, he assumes you’re not happy with your husband and that you are looking for an affair.”
“You’re so wrong!”
“Did you mind my flirting with Caterina?”
“Not at all, but that’s because I’m not possessive. I trust you.”
“And you are right to.”
“Are you saying that you wouldn’t trust me?”
“Yes.” He put his hand on her knee. “If you flirted with another man like I flirted with Caterina, I’d be crushed like a grape under your foot.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“No, just a hypocrite. Unlike you, I am very possessive, and my heart is very tender.” She laughed. “The South African flirted with you, naturally. I would be surprised if he didn’t. You are a good-looking woman, Angelica. But did you assume he is unhappy with his wife?”
“Of course not.”
“But if you had flirted with him, he would have assumed you were unhappy with me.”
“I didn’t flirt with him,” she said quickly.
He stopped at the traffic lights at the bottom of Kensington Church Street. “I would never accuse you of that, mon ange. But don’t think I wasn’t watching you.”
She wanted to say that he was too busy watching Caterina, but she bit her tongue. Caterina had done her a service.
As luck would have it, Olivier found a parking place a few yards from their house in Brunswick Gardens, beneath a leafy cherry tree that had not yet begun to turn. Angelica hurried up to the front door and waited for Olivier to join her with the key. She smiled as she thought of Jack and how close she had come to getting into trouble with her husband. There was nothing wrong with a flirt, she thought blithely. She felt more alive than she had in years. Perhaps the secret of happiness was in living dangerously. But how to make that feeling last?
3
Thinking positively will attract positive things into your life.
In Search of the Perfect Happiness
The following morning Angelica was awoken by the children climbing into her bed. Olivier had risen early to go to work, turning on the light and waking her up, but once he had gone she had drifted back to sleep and into Jack’s big embrace. She had felt a warm sense of belonging there, like a ship docking after a long time at sea. The children’s voices seemed distant, like gulls in a faraway sky, and she yearned to remain in those strong, protective arms. But the cries had grown into loud squawks, forcing her back into the present, where Joe and Isabel were fighting over the television control.