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‘Of course not.’ Aurora said. ‘But—’
‘In any way shape or form.’
‘Good…good…’ Aurora said.
It was no problem.
And, despite having to get through a lot of domestic duties, she wouldnotbe ringing the hotel for their dinner. That would be ridiculous when Aurora loved to cook.
And so she made the bed, and tidied the room, and life felt much as it had when she had been a cleaner in Silibri.
Except now she wore a gorgeous dress and had pretty eyes and nails. She cleared the plates and set the table, and went down to his cellar and chose some wine—which was easy for a girl who had grown up surrounded by vines.
But time was creeping on.
She put on an apron and found luck was on her side—because thepassatashe had bought Nico a year ago was still in the cupboard. Andpassataonly got better with age!
One day she might take a course, so she would better be able to create the fancy dishes that Nico must like, but for now she would cook the way she knew how.
But there was no meat in his massive bare fridge. And by the time she got back from the butcher it was getting really late.
However, the pasta was made and had been cut into ribbons, and the sauce was bubbling away as she bathed Gabe and then dressed him.
‘Look at you…’ Aurora smiled at her chubby baby. His black hair was damp from the bath and he wore a pale blue sleepsuit and a gummy smile. ‘Daddy will be back soon…’
Her voice trailed off. For Nico had left this morning, just after seven, and it was now dark—and he had not so much as texted, let alone called.
With her perfect baby lying on the bed, Aurora took off her apron and changed into the plain grey shoes and smoothed the elegant grey dress. She topped up her lipstick and then carried Gabe downstairs, taking dainty steps just in case Nico arrived.
The scent ofpassatafilled the house, the aroma of herbs and the garlic making her stomach growl. Everything was in perfect order. The pasta just needed a couple of moments in boiling water and dinner would be ready.
Whenhe came home.
‘Perhaps I should text and see where he is,’ Aurora said to little Gabe, but he stared back at her with huge navy eyes that were turning black, like his father’s, and she remembered that Nico’s perfect wife would not do such a thing.
She wouldacceptthat he was working when he was late.
Gabe started to rub his eyes and grizzle.
‘He’s tired,’ the nanny said.
‘He’s okay,’ Aurora insisted.
She wanted Nico to come home to a stunning Aurora and a gleaming, smiling baby.
‘Why don’t I put him down to sleep?’ the nanny asked a full hour later. Gabe clearly wanted to lay down his head and he had been sick on his lovely pale blue suit. ‘You can have your nice meal and relax…’
‘No!’ Aurora said, for she wanted to sleep beside her baby.
But then she remembered the new rules that she was enforcing. A calm house, a serene and smiling Aurora…
How it ached to hand Gabe over—and then, for the first time in eight weeks, she was alone.
Eight weeks and nine months—for she had loved Gabe even when he’d lived inside her.
And Aurora loved fiercely.
She could feel snakes of anger rising in her chest as she sat there in the lounge, tapping her grey-shod foot as the night wore on. Finally she caved, and called him—but of course his phone was off.
