Rose sees Grazia’s jaw quiver. She can’t back out now.
‘Bernard, has Grazia ever discussed this with you before? In the privacy of your own home?’
‘I can’t say, possibly: I don’t really remember,’ he blusters.
‘Really?’
She adjusts her position so she’s sitting as upright as possible in her throne chair.
She’s about to break all the rules but it’s the right thing to do, she’s sure of it.
‘You’re lying, Bernard,’ she says quietly. ‘Lying. Grazia has asked you repeatedly not to visit S&M clubs. You’ve told her that it’s, and I quote …’ She looks at her notes. ‘Not the sort of thing that can affect your marriage when you’re paying for it. Which is an interesting view.’
Bernard’s turning red.
Rose hopes he’s had his blood pressure tablets this morning.
‘How can you say it’s not affecting your marriage? It’s fundamentally a betrayal of your relationship as man and wife and of the expectations you both brought with you. Grazia never agreed to this. You know that.’
Bernard scowls.
‘You made a unilateral decision about it. So does it work both ways? Is Grazia allowed the same latitude in your marriage? If you can have sex with young women wearing latex, then is Grazia allowed to have sex with other men?’
Rose can see Bernard is truly ready to blow now.
‘I’m sure there are many much younger men who would adore to make love to Grazia. She’s younger than you, she’svery beautiful, is clever, cultured. She’s prepared to walk away because you don’t respect her boundaries. This is the last-chance saloon for you, Bernard.’
‘I’m not listening to this any more,’ says Bernard. ‘I am shocked that you would bring this up, Grazia,’ he turns on his wife, shaking with rage and humiliation. ‘It is my business, not yours. And you, charlatan …’ He glares at Rose. ‘You will regret this so badly.’ Standing jerkily, he walks off.
‘You’re accompanying Keera to Corfu this evening, Bernard, don’t forget,’ calls Rose, but she’s wary of pushing further.
‘I’d rather he didn’t,’ says Keera.
‘He’ll have calmed down by then,’ says Grazia.
‘Still don’t want to go with him,’ says Keera. ‘Why do you stay, Grazia?’ she asks.
‘Love,’ says Grazia with a shrug of slim shoulders. ‘The heart wants …’ she begins, but India interrupts her.
‘Grazia,What the heart wantsis not a helpful phrase,’ India explains quickly. ‘Think in business terms the way Bernard would. You love Bernard and you’re holding out for ninety-five per cent love, OK?’
Grazia is gazing at her in amazement.
‘I’m only figuring this stuff out myself, Grazia,’ says India. ‘It’s how I’m going to look at all my relationships from now on. It’s like the red flag thing but with percentages.
‘So Bernard’s only willing to love you unconditionally say, fifty per cent, right? He won’t give up what he wants. That’s a dealbreaker for him. He’ll do a deal for fifty per cent, fine. Know what you’re getting, Grazia and then you can decide on whether he’s worth you being upset and getting only fifty per cent of Bernard.’
‘Go girl!’ says Keera.
‘Excellent analysis,’ says Rose. ‘How about a break?’ she adds. ‘I think we all need it.’
As soon as everyone begins to collect their stuff and move off the terrace, Rose notices that she’s shaking. Delayed shock. There was something vicious in the way Bernard threatened her. Something unexpected.
She finds her sister in the huge bed-linen cupboard with Beata. They’re discussing white towels versus cream ones for longevity.
‘Can I talk to you?’ Rose says urgently.
There’s nobody in the villa’s entrance hall.
