The Perfect Happiness(73)
“How do you know that?”
“Because my mother has that look on her face all the time, and it drives me mad!”
It was a relief when the children went back to school for the Easter term and Angelica found herself once again reunited with her four friends, at the center table in Le Caprice. Jesus, the charming Bolivian manager, sent them a round of Bellinis on the house, and Angelica savored the sensation of being back in civilization after what had been an extremely uncivilized Christmas.
“Thank God that’s over for another year,” she said, raising her glass to Candace, Scarlet, Kate, and Letizia.
“You think yours was bad? Do you want to know what Pete gave me?”
“No, let me guess,” said Candace, narrowing her pale eyes. “An ironing board.”
“No, he gave me a boob job.”
“What?”
“He said I might need one after having the baby. Either that or a tummy tuck.”
“Did you give him a penis extension?” said Candace scornfully.
“Or a good clip around the ear,” Scarlet added for good measure.
“I hope you told him where he can stick his vows?” said Angelica.
Kate grinned mischievously “No, the ceremony is still on. You think I’m going to let him worm his way out of my big day by starting a fight?”
“I’m curious, darling. What did you say?” Letizia asked.
“That my body is a temple carrying his precious child.”
“Or someone else’s precious child . . .” Candace added wryly.
“No, it’s definitely Pete’s. No question. Don’t know why I ever doubted it.”
“A teeny weeny insignificant thing like a date?”
“I’m not a total idiot. So, it could possibly be Mr. X’s baby. Possibly. But right now I’m not prepared to go there. I want to have a serene pregnancy. Look what happened when I had Phoebe? Pete and I fought all the time, and she came out in a right state, poor thing. She’s still very temperamental. So I meditate daily and take deep breaths through the nose, like this.” She placed a hand on her belly, closed her eyes, and inhaled through flared nostrils.
“Oh God, it’s the Virgin Mary.” Scarlet laughed.
“Nothing immaculate about this conception,” Candace interjected.
“You’re not going to tell us, are you?” asked Angelica.
“No,” Kate replied firmly. “Look, I’d happily tell you, but I have to think of his feelings. My New Year’s resolution is to put others before myself.”
Candace arched an eyebrow. “It’s going to be a tough year.”
“You’d be surprised how altruistic I’ve become.”
“Go on, surprise us,” said Candace.
“I’ve already turned a blind eye to a text Pete received from The Haggis.”
“You cannot be serious!” gasped Letizia.
“She’s still hanging around?” Candace was astonished. “I thought she was well past her sell-by date.”
“So did I!”
“How did you manage to see it?” Angelica asked.
“Did you sneak a peek?” Candace added.
“I wouldn’t dare!” Letizia interrupted. “My marriage exists on trust. If I mistrusted Gaitano for a second, the whole thing would unravel.”
“Honey, Kate’s marriage exists on mistrust. As soon as they start trusting each other, the whole thing unravels!”
“I think you have a point, Candace,” Kate conceded, draining her Bellini.
“I’d love William to get a few sexy texts,” said Scarlet. “Then I wouldn’t feel so guilty when I get mine.”
“You get sexy texts?” Kate rounded on her jealously. “Why don’t I get any?”
“Really? Who from?” Angelica asked.
Scarlet shrugged nonchalantly. “Oh, loads of people. You’d be surprised. In my line of work I meet men all the time.”
“Gay men,” said Candace. “I didn’t think the fashion world was in the business of straight men.”
“I’m talking about the men behind the scenes. They’re very naughty! They have my number. It’s very easy to flirt that way. I’d never take it any further, but it makes me feel good.” Candace caught Angelica’s eye. Angelica dropped her gaze into the menu as the waiter came to take their orders. “It’s got nothing to do with what I feel about them, but how they make me feel about myself. Complete, unadulterated vanity,” she continued breezily.
“You dark horse, Scarlet!” Letizia was impressed.
“Not called Scarlet for nothing,” Candace added. “I’ll have crispy duck salad to start, then the chicken,” she told the waiter. “No mashed potato.”