Private Lives

Matt had always known that Carla yearned for a smart Chelsea address; it was just the way she was. He supposed he should have realised that she would be looking for a way to move up to the next rung on the ladder.

‘We were happy then, weren’t we?’ she said quietly.

‘Were we?’ he replied. He didn’t mean to sound bitter; it was a genuine question. Looking back, he had never been entirely sure why someone so beautiful and socially adept had chosen to marry him. Throughout their entire relationship he’d been waiting for her to change her mind, realise that she could do so much better. But when he’d asked her to marry him, as they walked across Albert Bridge one evening after a glorious meal in a little bistro on a sleepy Chelsea back street, she’d said yes and he hadn’t thought to ask her if she was absolutely sure.

‘I loved you, Matt,’ she said simply, looking straight into his eyes.

‘You had a funny way of showing it.’

The car filled with an awkward silence until Jonas woke up grumpily.

‘Where are we?’ he mumbled.

‘We’re at Grandad’s,’ said Matt, leaping out of the passenger door, glad to defuse the tension.

Loralee answered the door dressed in a miniskirt, flip-flops and a T-shirt that instructed the world ‘Don’t mess with me’.

‘How are you?’ said Matt, giving her the double kiss. Since their showdown in the hospital, he’d made an effort to keep the peace with Loralee for the sake of his father. She knelt down to look at Jonas.

‘Gosh, and this is your son, Matthew? You’re adorable.’

‘This is Jonas,’ he smiled. ‘Oh, and this is Carla. His mum.’

Matt watched as Loralee gave Carla the up and down. Evidently she passed muster.

‘Hi, Carla,’ she said, offering a limp hand. ‘You look so cute together.’

‘Oh, we’re not . . .’ began Matt, then decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.

‘Is he in?’ he asked. Loralee shook her head.

‘I’m so sorry, Matthew. He popped out about ten minutes ago. Gone to see a friend. I could give him a ring if you’d like?’

‘No, no. It’s just good to hear he’s out and about now.’

She nodded, her head on one side.

‘Getting stronger every day.’

Matt ruffled Jonas’s hair.

‘Sorry, cowboy, no present today.’

‘It’s my birthday,’ announced Jonas proudly.

‘Oh, happy birthday, sweetheart,’ said Loralee, stepping forward to give him a bear hug.

Matthew watched his son blush. Clearly Loralee’s effect on men started young.

‘I’ll tell him you came by.’

‘Do,’ said Matt as she closed the door.

‘I’d watch that one,’ said Carla tartly as they walked back to the car.

‘Oh, she’s harmless,’ said Matt.

‘You know your trouble, Matt?’ said Carla, getting into the Range Rover. ‘You’re a terrible judge of character.’