The Perfect Happiness(19)

“Well, Sacred Vault, I’ll call you if he e-mails back.”

“Honey, it’s not a question of if but when.”

Angelica checked her e-mails once more before leaving to meet the girls for lunch, but there was only spam offering her discounted Viagra. The sun had come out, shining through a break in the clouds, and Angelica turned her face to it, wondering whether it was shining on Jack, too, safely on his porch.

She wasn’t the last to arrive at Cipriani. Candace, Letizia, and Scarlet sat discussing Kate over Bellinis.

“Darling, we’ve ordered you one,” said Letizia, reaching out to greet her.

“Guess who I bumped into this morning?” Angelica said, kissing Candace and Scarlet in turn.

“Who?”

“The ghastly Jenna Elrich.” She sat down next to Letizia and recounted how Jenna had imitated her son speaking to her in French. “It was so pretentious,” she complained.

“You know what? You should have replied like this,” said Candace, clearing her throat. “‘Why, that’s so funny, Jenna, because Isabel woke up this morning and said “Mama, tengo ganas de ir al colegio,” then Joe piped up: “Anch’io voglio andare a scuola!” ’” She pulled a face, clearly pleased with herself.

“Brava!” Letizia declared in delight.

“Now you’re showing off.” Angelica laughed.

“I’m a natural linguist,” said Candace. “What can I say?”

Angelica leaned into the table. “You know what else she said? That she wishes she could have my tousled hair that looks like I’ve just got out of bed and haven’t bothered to brush it, but every time she tries she just ends up looking perfect and polished.”

“And plastic,” Scarlet added.

“How rude!” said Letizia.

“I think she’s hilarious.” Candace laughed. “She’s barely able to say a sentence without bigging herself up. If she mentions a man, he fancies her; if she mentions a woman, she’s jealous of her; if she pays you a compliment, it’s a backhanded one designed to pull you down. She came for dinner once and complimented me on my ‘quaint country cooking.’”

“I find her infuriating,” grumbled Angelica.

“Don’t worry, darling. She’d kill for your tousled locks,” said Letizia.

“No, she’d like your marriage,” said Candace. “Hers is a deeply unhappy one, and that’s the core of her bitterness.”

“Last year she admitted to me that she was well past forty, but she’s clearly forgotten, because she keeps referring to the approaching ‘Big Four O’ and asking what she should do to celebrate,” said Scarlet.

“Correct her,” Candace suggested. “Honey, it’s the Big Five O!”

“Her husband works at Lehman’s. I don’t think she’ll be doing anything to celebrate,” said Angelica.

“Maybe selling her vast collection of shoes and handbags,” said Letizia.

“The Birkins are fakes,” said Candace. “Believe me, I know.”

At that moment, Kate strode into the restaurant in a knitted minidress and boots, her eyes hidden behind big Chanel sunglasses. Every eye turned as she looked around for her friends, then waved vigorously when she saw them. Women envied her lithe body and striking face, and men sensed something wanton that women did not. She weaved through the whispering tables like an enchanting snake, savoring the attention.

“Sorry I’m late.” She blew them all kisses. “It’s just been one of those mornings.” She flopped into a chair, dropping her Anya handbag to the floor. “I need a drink.”

“I didn’t think you were drinking,” said Letizia.

“I’m not meant to be, but one little teeny weeny Bellini won’t hurt the baby.” She smiled at the waiter, who blushed.

“So Pete got back last night. Did you tell him?” Candace asked.

“No. I’m too scared.”

“So what’s your big idea?” Angelica asked.

“I’m going to wing it.”

“You’re not going to get rid of it?” Candace was astonished.

“I can’t.”

“It’s only a teeny weeny bundle of cells.”

“I know, Candace, but still it’s a life. I’ve always been anti-abortion. There’s a child in here.” She touched her belly.

“Not that you’d know,” said Letizia.

“It’s smaller than mine,” Angelica observed.

“Not for long,” said Candace. “Angelica’s joining my Pilates class.”

Scarlet grinned at her. “Make sure you have a pedicure first—that David is delicious.”