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He left after breakfast and Iris went upstairs to get ready. It was almost nine o’clock and she was picking up Esme at nine thirty so that they could take the nine forty-five train to London. In the bedroom, she crept to the window and peeped out. Heat rushed to her cheeks. Joseph was standing in his usual position.
Her mobile rang. Turning to her bedside table, she picked up her phone and checked the screen. It was Esme.
“Iris, I’m sorry, I’ve waited as long as possible before phoning you,hoping I’d feel better, but I don’t. I seem to have caught some sort of bug, I’ve been sick all night. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to go to London.”
“Oh no, that’s awful,” Iris said, immediately worried. “Is there anything I can do? Is Hugh around?”
“He’s going to see his brother today but it’s not a problem. I’m so sorry to let you down.”
“Don’t be silly, it’s fine.”
“You’ll still go, won’t you?”
“Oh—I don’t know.”
“I hope you will. I’d really appreciate it if you could take photos of anything you think I might like.”
“Yes, I can do that. Or we can reschedule until you’re feeling better.”
“We could, but I’d like to get ahead before the baby arrives.”
Iris frowned; it wasn’t like Esme to be stressed. “All right, I’ll go.”
“Maybe Laure could go with you.”
“Good idea, I’ll ask her. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do?”
“No, really, I’ll be fine. I was up all night so I’m hoping the worst of it has passed and I’ll be able to get some sleep.” She laughed. “It’s almost worth it to be able to spend the whole day in bed.”
“Make the most of it. I’ll phone this evening to see how you are.”
“Thanks, Iris. Have a nice day.”
Iris was about to go and find Laure, then remembered that she hadn’t waved to Joseph. But he was already walking down the path, a rake balanced on his shoulder. She swallowed her disappointment. Coupled with Esme not being able to go to London, her day had already got off to a bad start.
Outside Laure’s bedroom, Iris found herself pausing, Gabriel’s remark about wanting to spend time on his own suddenly resonating with her. Did she really want Laure to go to London with her? She didn’t—but the prospect of going on her own was somehow worse.
Iris tapped on the door. “Laure? Can I come in?”
“Yes, of course.”
Iris opened the door and nearly went out again. Laure was standing in the middle of the room wearing a pair of skimpy knickers and nothing else. Her cheeks were unusually flushed, as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have been doing.
“I can’t believe it’s so late,” she said. “I must have overslept.”
“It’s fine, there’s no rush. I wanted to see if you’d like to come to London with me. Esme is ill, but she wants me to go anyway.”
“Poor Esme! What’s the matter with her? It’s not the baby, is it?”
“No, she has a sickness bug.”
Laure nodded slowly. “Thanks, Iris, but if you don’t mind, I’ll stay here. I need to find a divorce lawyer.”
“Oh Laure. I’m sorry it’s come to this. Do you want me to stay with you?”
“No, no, this is something I have to do myself. Why doesn’t Gabriel go with you to London? It would be good for you to have a day out together.”
“He’s gone out for the day, on his bike.”
