When I eventually quieten down after a very long time, she tries again, and this time neither of us says anything. She sits on the bed and strokes my hair as tears slide down my cheeks and soak into my pillow.
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispers eventually. ‘I’m so, so sorry.’
I don’t let go of Ben’s shirt and I see her look at it curiously, but she’s smart enough to stick to her apology and leave it at that. I’m asleep before she leaves the room.
Chapter 28
It takes superhuman strength, but I somehow make it through the week atMarbles, and before I leave, Jonathan promises to keep me posted about the editorial assistant position. It’s a relief to think I may get a permanent job at last – but it’s hard to get excited about anything at the moment.
I haven’t spoken to Richard since he left to stay at Nathan and Lucy’s on Tuesday night and even though it was him who asked me not to call, I find I’m strangely unwilling to anyway. I think I at least need the weekend on my own to mull things over.
My mum always works on Friday and Saturday nights so I’m surprised to find her at home. The flat smells of spaghetti Bolognese and for a moment I’m suspicious.
‘He’s not coming over,’ she quickly assures me. ‘It’s just you and me.’
I nod and go to the sofa, kicking off my shoes as I go. ‘I thought you worked on Friday nights.’
‘I changed my shift.’ She disappears into the kitchen and comes back a minute later with a glass of white wine. ‘I’m sorry,’ she says, perching on the arm of my sofa. ‘I was wrong to do that to you last night. It had been arranged for a few days and I convinced myself I didn’t need to cancel. But you’re right. I was being selfish. As usual.’ She hands over the glass and I accept her peace-offering. ‘I hope you’re hungry.’ She gets up again. ‘I’m doing garlic bread and everything!’
We sit outside on the small balcony because it’s a surprisingly balmy night for May in Sydney. We balance our plates on our knees and eat in silence. I’m the one who breaks it.
‘Who is he, this Antonio?’
‘He owns the restaurant,’ she replies. ‘We don’t have to talk about me,’ she adds.
‘No, I want to. So he owns the restaurant? You’ve known him for a while, then.’
‘Yes, but it was six months before we discovered we had feelings for each other.’
‘Last time I saw you . . .’
‘We’d just got together,’ she interrupts. ‘I didn’t know where it was going.’
‘But it’s going well now?’
‘He’s asked me to marry him.’
I stare at her in shock. She’s smiling timidly. ‘And you’re not running for the hills?’ I check.
She shakes her head. ‘Not this time, no.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘I’ve said yes.’
I put down my fork on my plate and study her face. All her vital signs appear normal. She doesn’t seem deranged. ‘Blimey. I guess congratulations are in order.’
‘Thank you,’ she breathes.
‘Where’s your ring?’ I’m being childish because she said this to me so I’m surprised when she places her plate on the tiny table and goes inside. She returns a moment later with an old ring box. She hands it over and I open it to see an antique gold ring inside with an intricate design surrounding a red ruby.
‘What, no diamonds?’ I can’t help but say.
‘It was his mother’s,’ my mum explains. ‘I need to get it re-sized.’
I’m in shock. What’s got into her? Antonio, clearly.
‘I’m happy for you,’ I say, and find that I mean it, even though I’m still very confused about what this Antonio has over all the men before him.
