The Perfect Happiness(23)
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Angelica watched him tuck into the lamb cutlets with relish. Sometimes it was as if food was his meaning for living. An unsatisfactory meal could ruin his whole week. She sipped her wine and ate slowly while he talked about himself. He didn’t ask her about her day. There was nothing unusual about that: there wasn’t a great deal to report, but suddenly it mattered that he wasn’t curious. “Lehman’s has crashed. Other banks are sure to follow. This is really going to affect everyone, even us.”
“I know. I’m being careful.”
“No unnecessary indulgences.”
She stiffened. “I said, I’m being careful.”
“I know you are.”
“I’ve got money coming in.”
“Sure, but the publishing world is going to be hit, too. People are going to cut out things they don’t need, and books will suffer.”
“Children still need to read.”
“But you won’t be paid such big advances in future. You watch: everyone is going to be pulling in their belts.” She raised a reproachful eyebrow at the mention of the word “belt” and wanted to remind him that he didn’t like her to wear one.
“The City will recover. It always does,” she said instead.
“But it could take years.”
“Well, until it does we’ll just be careful.”
“You’ll see, even those big-time spenders like Kate and Candace will have to close their purses.” She couldn’t imagine their doing anything so rash.
“So how are the children? How was their first day back at school?”
“They had a fabulous day. Loved every minute.”
“Who did you see?”
“Usual crowd. Scarlet, Letizia, Candace . . . Oh, I bumped into the dreadful Jenna Elrich.”
“Now, she’s a sexy woman.”
Angelica’s mouth fell open. “God, Olivier, have some taste!”
“She’s very stylish. I like her look.”
“You and Joe both,” she muttered. “I suppose she looks glamorous to the uninitiated.”
“She’s well dressed.”
“Overdone like a Christmas tree.”
“Talking of which, I suppose we’re going to spend Christmas with your family.”
“I’m as unenthusiastic about them as you are.”
“And then visit mine in France.”
“I don’t know whose is worse.”
“Oh, yours win, hands down. No contest! But they redeem themselves by giving me lots of amusement!”
“I’m glad they amuse you. They depress me.”
“So, cheap presents this Christmas.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “This isn’t the year for spending money, so don’t go mad.”
“I know, it’s the thought that counts.”
“If it were the thought that counted, they’d get nothing at all! If I remember rightly, you forgot to bring presents for my sisters last year, which just goes to show how little you think of them.”
“They’re charming, adorable women,” she said, sucking in her cheeks. Olivier narrowed his eyes, but his lips curled up at one corner.
After dinner Olivier retreated to their bedroom with a mug of hot tea and honey. He switched on the news and ran a bath, taking his clothes off and hanging them neatly in the closet, scowling at his wife’s clothes carelessly discarded on the floor along with Joe’s Ben10 toys and damp bath towels.
Angelica went to check on the children. They were fast asleep in their bedrooms, their faces innocent in the darkness. She pulled the duvet up over Isabel’s exposed shoulders and stroked Joe’s flushed cheek. Then she heard Olivier turn off the tap and climb into the water. Conquered by curiosity, she climbed the stairs to check her e-mails one last time before bed. If Olivier knew she was in her office, he would think it very strange. She never worked in the evening, let alone read her e-mails. But there, as she had hoped, was one from Jack.
Dear beautiful Sage, I think the dog would rather slit his throat than face a life of no rabbits. I know I would! Besides, doesn’t it depend on the rabbit? Who’s to say the rabbit can’t keep the dog interested? I think you should consider the rabbit and not just dismiss her as a plaything for the dog! As for yearning, it is part of the pleasure of life. Without yearning there are no dreams—as a writer you should know the importance of dreams—and without dreams how can we reach our full potential? Sleep well, lovely Sage. I am on my porch, but my dreams are making me a happy dog. DOP
The City might be collapsing around her husband’s ears; she might have to stop shopping; they were probably going to spend a miserable Christmas with her eccentric parents—but Jack made her feel desirable. He shone a light onto a part of her that no one else saw, and in the glow of that light she felt that hidden part awake and stir into life.