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We take him up to the garden to explore, then carry him back down, and I collect all the stuff Jamie left and bring it inside. We put the tiny bed next to Gus’s, and find a box to put the toys in that Elizabeth has kindly bought for him.
Finally, we sit back on the rug in the middle of the living room and watch him trying to bite Gus’s tail as he runs around.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” I ask.
Sidnie nods. “Eddie.”
“Oh…” I laugh. Eddie Osei-Nketia, Gus Nketia’s son. “That’s brilliant.”
“It suits him, too. Doesn’t it, Eddie?” She pulls him away from Gus and redirects him to chew the ears of a toy in the shape of a rabbit.
I smile and lean on the sofa, propping my head on my hand. “Jamie and Emma have said they’ll happily look after him if you need to go out at all.”
“Really? I was wondering what to do with him when I go to work.”
I take a deep breath and sit up. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. It’s entirely up to you. I know you don’t mind your job, and it’s possible you might prefer to have your own money—I get that, absolutely. But I was wondering whether you’d like to give it up and write full time instead? I know it’s probably going to take a while to make decent money from it, but the more you can write, presumably the quicker that will happen. And until then, if you don’t mind being a kept woman…” I give her a mischievous smile.
Her jaw has dropped again. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I thought I could give you an allowance. Like, fifty bucks a week or something.”
Her lips twist, and she pushes me.
“You’d have to complete certain tasks to earn that,” I add.
“Tasks?”
“Sexual favors.”
“Obviously.”
I laugh and pull her into my arms. “Seriously, though, it’ll probably be easier if we have a joint account. You can spend what you like then.”
“Fucking hell, stop it. My brain’s going to explode.”
I chuckle and kiss her hair. “It’s just an idea. I want you to have everything. I’m so impressed that you’ve written a book, and I want you to have the opportunity to write as much as you want and make a real go of it. The best thing about being wealthy is that it provides the chance to fulfil your dreams. I’d give that opportunity to everyone if I could. There’s nothing worse than desperately wanting to do something and not having the money. Unfortunately I can’t give it to everyone. But I can help you. So what do you think?”
“I think it sounds amazing,” she whispers.
“But it’s just an idea. I don’t want you to think I’m looking for you to give up everything for me. I mean, that would be nice,” I tease, “but…”
She kisses me. “I’d love the chance to write full time. I can’t believe I’m this lucky, that’s all.”
I hold the toy rabbit while Eddie tugs its ear. “I was thinking, too, that I know I work long hours, and that might make the days long for you. So I thought that maybe you might like to come to work with me sometimes? We could put a desk in my office for you. Eddie and Gus would be able to play in the garden. We’d be able to have lunch together. Jamie will run you home when you’ve had enough.” I purse my lips as she gives me a bemused look. “It’s just an idea,” I add awkwardly.
She cups my face with a hand and strokes my bristles—I haven’t shaved yet today—with a thumb. “You’re the most generous man I’ve ever met,” she whispers. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you.”
“Well, the sex is pretty good.”
She smiles. “Apart from that.”
“I told you, Sid. You’ve taught me so much. You’ve exorcized my ghosts, and you’ve made me a better man. I was cynical and suspicious of anyone who said love like this existed. I didn’t believe in soul mates.”
“Do you think that’s what we are?”
I bend my head and kiss her. “Yes,” I murmur. “Without a shadow of a doubt.”
