“You’re right, of course.” Rosa covered Billy’s hand with her own. “She’s fine. Georgia and Pippa wouldn’t let anything happen to her, I know, but accidents happen.”
“And when they do, we deal with them. We don’t worry about them before they happen.”
Rosa took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You’re right. Lunch then?”
“Yes, lunch, and you, and me, and these beautiful surroundings.”
Lunch had been just as good as Billy had promised.
“One last mouthful,” Billy said, holding the spoon to Rosa’s lips. The shared dessert had been an inspired idea. Rosa’s lips parted, her tongue accepting the bite of apple tart and custard.
“Mm, that was so good,” Rosa murmured once she’d swallowed.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, why not.”
Billy signalled the waiter and ordered. When the waiter had gone, she said, “Let’s go sit by the fire.” She stood up before Rosa could argue and helped pull her chair back.
The seats by the fire were close together—two high-backed leather armchairs. Rosa sat back down and smiled as Billy brought their coats over.
“So chivalrous.”
“Just taking care of you, like I should have done.”
“No more ‘should have dones’, this is a fresh start for both of us,” Rosa said, watching as Billy took the seat beside her.
“You’re right. No looking back. So, tell me about your job, and what’s his name? Roger?”
“Roger Atherton, yes. He’s interesting, quirky. But a good man. I can’t complain too much. He pays me very well and I do a lot more than a usual research assistant would do. I’m basically his personal assistant at this point. He’s so focused on his work at times that I think without me, he might forget to eat.”
Billy smiled. “Sounds like you’ve got this parenting lark down pat.”
“Like I say, he pays me well, and I’m good at what I do.”
“So, you enjoy it?”
“I do. Although this last week was a little unnerving. He’s writing a series of serial killer novels about a detective with one leg. I’m not sure what the relevance is yet, but he tends to come up with some very exciting twists, so I’m sure it’ll be integral to the plot somewhere.”
Billy tilted her head and smiled. “I love it when you get all excited about something. I remember the day we found out you were pregnant, how excited you got when I asked how your dayhad been and you said you wanted to do a test because you just knew.”
“I did know, and I was right.” Rosa winked.
“Yes.” Billy nodded, still grinning.
Rosa’s phone buzzed against the tabletop. She snatched at it and read the screen. “It’s Imogen,” she said with a little anxiousness.
Billy watched her face move through the emotions of the text as she read it.
Imogen: Staying at Robbie’s. I’ve got spare clothes there, so no need come home after work.
“After work…” Rosa shook her head and smiled at Billy. “One day and she sounds like she’s already a grown-up.”
“It won’t be long before she is,” Billy said, her palm resting gently on Rosa’s thigh as she drove. “So, she’s staying out, do you want to do the same?”
“I don’t have any spare clothes.”
“I see…the walk of shame no longer an exciting prospect?” Billy chuckled. “How about we swing by yours, pick up some of your things, and then you stay the night?”
