‘You really shouldn’t do that,’ Edie said with a sniff, as she had done countless times before, to no effect.
‘I can’t help it.’ Ralph ruffled the dog’s head affectionately. ‘She always looks so hopeful.’
The conversation felt stilted at first, which was no doubt Edie’s fault for getting heavy earlier on. She was determined not to resort to talking about the children for once, though.
Instead, she told him Hannah and Mac had given the OK to Villa Ariadne and she’d sent an email to secure the booking.
‘It does sound really lovely and it’ll be nice to explore the island. I don’t remember much about it from our honeymoon, do you?’
‘Didn’t we spend most of it in bed?’
Glancing his way, she noticed a slight smile on his lips as he raised a forkful of food to his mouth.
They had, indeed, made love so often on that trip they’d worn themselves out. Towards the end, he’d even begged for a night off, saying he needed time to recover.
In truth, she was quite surprised he remembered how passionate they’d been back then. He didn’t seem particularly interested in sex these days and her libido had plummeted, too.
Sex happened once a week, max, and often less than that. To her, it felt they were both doing it more out of duty than genuine desire.
‘We’ll be able to see the sea from our bedroom, just like last time,’ she commented, keen to keep the romantic theme bubbling.
‘I hope Mac and Hannah don’t squabble,’ Ralph replied. ‘I can’t stand listening to their rows.’
Edie shivered, as if she’d walked into a cold shower. Ralph certainly knew how to spoil the moment.
Laying down her fork, she stared out of the window at the blackened garden. She’d done quite a bit of work out there last spring and summer, planting new shrubs and adding colour to the borders. But you wouldn’t know it now.
‘I think those two have got worse, don’t you?’ she said, turning back to her half-eaten food with little enthusiasm. ‘I’m a bit worried about them, to be honest. Mac’s always snapping at Hannah and putting her down. I don’t think he appreciates her.
‘It’s her income that keeps that family afloat but you’d never know it from the way he behaves. He doesn’t earn enough to feed them, let alone pay the mortgage.’
Ralph finished his mouthful and laid down his fork as well. ‘That’s a bit strong.’
He ran a hand through his longish, straight hair. It used to be honey blond but had faded to a sort of pale, brownish grey.
‘She can be pretty sharp with him, too, I’ve noticed. She’s more restrained in company, but I bet she gives as good as she gets when no one’s looking.’
Edie snorted. ‘Rubbish. Hannah hates conflict. She wouldn’t say boo to a goose.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure.’ Ralph raised an eyebrow. ‘You don’t get to her position without being tough.’
The mobile rang in Edie’s bag and she fished it out to check the number.
‘Unknown caller,’ she said, replacing the phone. ‘I’ll deal with it later.’
Remembering how she’d made a mental note to check on Jessica later, she decided now to recount the story of Ernest, the sick dog.
‘Jessica was heading straight to the vet’s after school to have him put down, poor thing. She was so upset. I offered to go with her but she refused. I hope she’s OK.’
‘Didn’t she have anyone else to go with?’ Ralph asked.
‘No.’
‘Is she single, then?’
‘Yes.’
Edie realised she hadn’t talked to him much about Jessica, even though the two women had been out together a couple of times. Perhaps she’d thought he wouldn’t be interested.
