13 #2
“So? What do you say?” Jerome pulled out a chair for Liz to sit down.
She stood for a moment, contemplating her next move.
Over the past six months, they’d skirted around each other and become distant.
Every action was tense and deliberate. Jerome’s stomach knotted, feeling her hesitation.
It was as though she didn’t even want to be in the same room as him anymore.
How had they become this way? Why had they become this way?
“Let me get your present.” Liz’s voice interrupted his thoughts and she turned around, leaving the kitchen to head for the stairs.
Jerome flicked on the kettle to make her some tea and he placed the fruit salad on the table.
Jeez, he felt uncomfortable. How can you feel so uncomfortable with your own wife?
He shook his head, unsettled by his continuing disturbing thoughts.
Within a few minutes, Liz had returned holding a small bag with “Harvey Nichols” on the side.
“Here you are. I saw your old ones and thought you needed a new pair.” She held out the bag and Jerome narrowed his eyes, taking the bag from her.
He pulled out the parcel inside and unwrapped it.
Inside was a slim box with “Paul Smith” on the front.
He opened the box and ripped off the tissue paper to reveal a black pair of leather driving gloves.
“Thank you. They’re” – not what I expected – “er, lovely.” He fingered them, feeling the smooth soft leather.
Pulling himself together, he quickly responded to her expectant look.
“My old ones are looking a little weathered.” He tried hard not to show his devastation as he instantly worked out that the holdall he’d discovered was obviously not for him.
The silver “J” was clearly for Jonathan.
He put down the gloves and busied himself with Liz’s tea.
“So, about tonight?” he pressed, trying hard not to sound agitated. He really didn’t know how much longer he could hold on to his temper. However, he didn’t want a full blown row on his birthday. He’d just have to ride it out today and then he needed to speak to Arsenio and needed to fast.
“Sure. I’ll bring down Nina and the kids around six. Is that alright?” She looked up at him and smiled. “They’ll like that. And I’m sure your mother will be pleased too.” Her tone was a little cooler at the mention of Gia.
“Great.” Jerome sipped his espresso.
“Aren’t you eating?” Liz asked as she spooned up some fruit salad.
“No. I just had one pancake to keep the kids happy. I’ll get something at La Casa.
” Liz stiffened. Every time she heard him mention La Casa it annoyed her, it was as though he referred to that as his home, rather than here.
He was so attached to the place she’d found it hard to stop her jealousy over the time he spent there.
Now there was Sky and Level One too. She’d fallen very low on his pecking order.
Jerome looked at the clock. It was almost nine. “I’d better go. I need to check up on how the new manager is doing. What are you doing today?” He placed his cup and saucer in the sink as he spoke.
“I’m going down to the agency to see what else there might be for me. Better strike while the iron is hot,” Liz grinned.
“Good. Well let me know, then. I’ll just go and get changed.” He picked up his gloves. “Thanks for these.” His gaze rested on her face and she smiled.
“Glad you like them.” She looked down to her fruit salad and continued to eat as Jerome walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
He reached Liz’s room and paused a moment, then entered it, heading straight for her wardrobe.
As soon as he stepped through the threshold, he bent to retrieve the bag he’d spotted a few days ago.
He looked inside and the exquisite leather holdall was still there.
He quickly pushed it back into place, then headed for his room to get ready.
His gut instinct told him that the holdall was not for him but he’d wait – give her the benefit of the doubt.
He walked into his bathroom and turned on the shower, then glanced at the clock as he pulled out one of his dark blue three piece suits.
He’d have to be quick if he was to make lunch with his staff.
Jerome pulled out a white shirt and dark blue tie, then headed back to the bathroom.
At least she’d agreed to come down this evening.
Jerome stripped and stepped under the cascade of hot water, feeling utterly wretched.
His marriage was over. He knew it, and deep down he knew that he couldn’t forgive Liz.
He just needed to be smart and not make hasty decisions.
“THAT SMELLS DELICIOUS.” Dani peered into the large pot Jamie was carrying from the dumbwaiter.
“It’s the Milanese sauce to go with the spaghetti and piccata. They’re Jerome’s favourite. Capo always cooks them for Jerome on his birthday.”
“Oh. So he will be coming?” Dani asked, unable to stop herself.
Jamie snorted, “Of course. Don’t worry, your cake won’t be wasted.”
Dani grinned, glad he’d interpreted her comment as concern over the cake, rather than concern over the possibility of not seeing Jerome.
It was ten thirty and everyone was sitting down.
Gia looked at her watch nervously. He was late.
Jerome wasn’t usually late. Everyone began to serve themselves and start to eat on Gia’s instruction.
By eleven, she’d become agitated, and reached into her bag to retrieve her phone.
Just as she placed her glasses on her nose, the door opened and her eyes shot up.
Dani felt herself hold her breath, knowing instinctively Jerome had entered the private dining room.
“I was just going to call you,” she tutted in good nature. Everyone turned to look at Jerome and stood.
“I’m sorry. Please sit down. I got held up at Level One.
” He shook Capo’s and Peter’s hand, then hugged them affectionately as they wished him a happy birthday.
He bent down and kissed his mother, who in turn squeezed him tightly and muttered something in Italian to him.
He smiled down at her and whispered “Thank you,” then pulled out his chair and sat down.
Gia squeezed his hand, then started to serve him his lunch.
Dani tried hard not to focus her whole attention on him but it was difficult, seeing as he was sitting opposite her.
His striking eyes flashed up at her and for a second, she felt like a rabbit stunned by headlights from the sheer intensity of his stare, until his face softened.
He smiled at her, making his excruciatingly handsome face crease around the edges of his mouth, causing Dani’s breath to hitch, then she forced herself to smile back.
She couldn’t believe how happy she felt that he was there, sat in front of her.
Jerome chatted warmly with Capo and Peter as everyone finished up lunch.
Peter excused himself, then went over to the bar.
Kuch got up with Nicole and they started to help Peter pour Prosecco into champagne flutes.
Capo signalled to Jamie, who immediately stood up and made his way to the dumbwaiter.
Peter, Kuch and Nicole paced over to the table holding the glass-filled trays and started passing the glasses to everyone. Jerome grinned at Peter as he shook his head.