The Perfect Happiness(12)
Sleepily, she took over and chose Tom and Jerry for them, then lay back on the pillow to savor the remaining traces of her dream. It was a new feeling to fancy someone. Since meeting Olivier in Paris in her mid-twenties she had had eyes only for him. Sure, he could be difficult and demanding, like a petulant child who expects his every whim to be indulged and sulks when he feels unappreciated, but she had always been dazzled by him. He had the power to send her spirits soaring and, as so often happens with mercurial men, the same power to pull her down. Her attraction to him had never waned, and she had always relished his touch, even though it was rare these days.
Jack had made her feel attractive in a way Olivier no longer could. There was nothing like the first spark of desire. She had forgotten the magnetic pull of another human being, the invisible force that held her attention wherever he was in the room, the sense of loss when he was out of sight. Those bees in the pit of her belly that made it impossible to eat or sleep. It had been a decade since Olivier had made her tremble with nerves. Her meeting with Jack was like an invigorating wind sweeping through her sails, shaking them out, reminding her that she was still attractive.
She breakfasted with the children, a dance in her step, an Abba tune on her lips. Then they skipped off to play in the garden, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She sat in front of the newspaper, a cup of tea in her hands, lost in the sunlight flooding the kitchen. It didn’t matter if she never saw him again: he had caused something to shift inside her and now everything looked more radiant.
She jumped when the telephone rang at nine. It was Candace. “Hey, Angelica, you’re still alive!”
“Oh God, I’m more alive than ever.”
“So you had a fight, then made up in the most degenerate way possible.”
“No.” She sighed dreamily. “I fell in love last night.”
“I get a feeling this isn’t about Olivier.”
“You’re right. It was nothing more than an innocent flirt, but God, I feel fantastic this morning.”
“Who was he?”
“Some friend of Scarlet and William’s from South Africa.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It’s just that I haven’t fancied anyone in years, and I’d forgotten how good it feels.”
“Did Olivier suspect?”
“No, he was too busy flirting with Caterina Tintello.”
“Oh, that old reptile. She’s anyone’s!”
“Well, he was welcome to her. She diverted his attention, so I had Jack all to myself. God, he’s attractive. Scarlet warned me, and she’s absolutely right, he’s bad news, but . . .”
“But?”
“There’s nothing wrong with a harmless flirt.”
“After that belt comment I’d say it’s what Olivier deserves!”
“He doesn’t think before he speaks. He’s so French.”
“Well, honey, I’m glad you’ve realized you’ve still got it. It won’t do Olivier any harm. He takes you for granted. I’m not saying you need to do anything drastic, but a little flirt every now and then will remind him that if he doesn’t play his cards right, you might find someone else who does.”
“What about you? Has Harry forgiven you?”
“I told him I’d been at the back for the whole second half. Fortunately, I heard a couple of old biddies discussing it in the ladies’ room afterwards and just repeated their opinions.”
“Have you heard from Kate?”
“Yes, she rang at dawn, God love her. I was fast asleep!” She growled a laugh. “Pete gets back tonight, so she’s got to pull herself together. I suggested we all meet up for lunch at Cipriani tomorrow to console ourselves after the kids have gone back to school. I know most mothers long for the end of the summer vacation, but I’m going to be bereft. I’m dreading it.”
“She might listen to some advice.”
“Not old Groundhog! Oh, she’ll listen as if her life depends on it, but the minute you walk out that door she’s forgotten all the wise words you’ve given her and is off to make the same mistakes all over again. I have more success reasoning with my dog.”
“What’s she going to do?”
“I know what she should do.”
“Which is?”
“Get rid of it.”
“She’ll never do that.”
“God will understand.”
“Hers won’t.”
“It’s better than the alternative. If Pete finds out it’s not his, he’ll leave her. Period. I’d hate to have to support her through a divorce. Besides, I don’t think she’d survive it. She’s very fragile.”