‘No! I can’t believe it!’ Vera with her homemade scones and no-nonsense brogues was the last person Cate could imagine as a modern-day Lady Chatterley.
‘It’s true, Mum. It’s not fair, is it? He’s such a nice man.’ Max’s voice wobbled. ‘We’re all going to be extra well-behaved when he comes back.’
‘I’m really sorry, sweetheart. It must seem strange not having Mr Benn around but the doctors will make him better. He’ll be back soon, I’m sure.’
A pause.
‘Are you worried?’ Max seemed to love boarding school just as Oli did but she knew what a steadying, reassuring presence Mr Benn was.
‘Mum… I messaged Dad yesterday. He said he was still in England, but you’re in Venice. He said he got held up by work then the green protest and that’s why he didn’t go with you. But… everything is okay with you and Daddy, isn’t it? I mean, I know people get divorced and…’
‘Oh, darling! You mustn’t worry about things like that. Daddy’s on his way right now; he told you that, didn’t he?’
‘Yes… but…’
She pictured him chewing at his nails, the habit she’d given up trying to change.
‘Sweetheart, listen to me. I know some people get divorced but that’s not going to happen to us. When Daddy and I got married, we made a vow to stay with each other for ever and ever. Life doesn’t always go exactly as we expect, sometimes we get a little bit annoyed or frustrated with each other, but whatever life throws at us, good or bad, Daddy and I are going to stick together. I promise you.’
‘Promise?’ Max’s voice was small.
‘Promise.’
‘Okay… Mum, I’ve got to go; it’s teatime and it’s sausages today.’
‘Ooh, lucky old you!’
‘Yeah, I hope there’s second helpings… Got to go. Love you, Mum.’
‘Love you…’ Cate said but Max had already gone. She pictured him flying down the wide, wooden staircase at Hillingdon, shirt untucked, socks falling down.
Outside the window, barges and gondolas moved unhurriedly down the canal. She realised she was still holding the phone. A text pinged through. Phil had cleared security.
29
‘Natalie!’
She turned her head at the sound of Eraldo’s voice. Of all the moments he could walk out of the shop, he had to choose this one. The dim, shady entrance dulled his dark eyes but his brows knitted in concern as he came towards her. Her hand went to her damp, dishevelled hair.
‘Natalie, are you okay? You look terrible.’
‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’ She gave a haven’t-got-a-care-in-the-world laugh.
‘I’m sorry, I did not mean…’ He twisted his hands together.
‘It’s okay, I know. I was just kidding.’
‘Kidding, that is joking, yes? But I think perhaps this afternoon, you have nothing to laugh about. Why are you not with Cate? I thought you were to visit the Guggenheim collection together.’
‘Yes, we went there together. Everything’s just fine.’
‘I do not think so… but if you do not wish to tell me, that is okay.’
‘It’s not that… I don’t know…’ Her voice cracked. ‘I just don’t know where to begin. Everything’s gone wrong.’
‘Ev-err-ree-thing?’ The way he drew out the word and half-raised his eyebrows almost made her laugh. ‘I have taken a break to have a coffee; why do you not join me? Tell me about this “everything”. Let us go to a nice place I know. You do not mind walking?’
‘I don’t want to keep you from your work. Are you sure you want to go for a coffee? I know you’ve got a coffee maker upstairs.’
