Platinum Coast. Lynne Pemberton

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СКАЧАТЬ a hair-line fracture. There was certainly a very severe sprain. He advised an X-ray first thing Monday morning. Meanwhile he strapped her foot and ankle and gave her pain-killers, recommending lots of rest with her feet up.

      Stephen had planned to go to a local Italian restaurant for dinner, so had given Dorothy Barnes the night off.

      Christina insisted he should still take Victoria.

      ‘Really, Stephen, I’ll be fine if you make me a cheese sandwich and leave me here in front of the telly.’

      He hesitated. ‘I really don’t like to.’

      They were sitting in the living-room in front of a deep inglenook fireplace.

      ‘Would you like me to light the fire?’ Stephen pointed to the grate which was ready laid with logs and newspaper neatly arranged on the black, charred iron. A dog-chewed wicker basket full of extra logs stood on the hearth next to a highly polished brass fender.

      Christina shook her head. ‘I’m warm enough, thanks.’ She shifted herself into a more comfortable position on the royal-blue damask-covered three-seater sofa with its assortment of needlepoint cushions behind her back and neck. Her leg was resting on a small foot-stool.

      ‘Anyway, you mustn’t disappoint Victoria. She’s looking forward to it.’

      Christina watched Stephen’s reaction carefully, thinking how attractive he looked in a navy-blue sports jacket and a mint-green shirt that almost matched the colour of his eyes.

      She wanted him to say that Victoria could miss her treat for once, but was not at all surprised when he said, ‘I’ll be as quick as possible, I promise. We’ll be a couple of hours at the most.’

      He looked relieved as he said again, ‘Are you sure you’ll be okay?’

      Victoria walked into the room and stood in front of the sofa, unable to disguise the satisfied smirk on her face.

      ‘I’m really sorry about your foot, Christina. It’s such a shame you can’t come with us tonight. Mario makes the most fantastic lasagne.’ She smiled sweetly at her father.

      ‘My, my, you look very pretty. Is that a new jumper?’

      Victoria had changed into a soft pink angora short-sleeved sweater with the head of a white Persian kitten appliquéd on the front. It was tucked into faded blue-denim jeans with silver studs on the pockets, and she wore pink socks and pale-pink ballerina shoes with bows on the front. Her thick, glossy hair hung loose, swinging down her back and shoulders, almost touching her elbows.

      ‘Nanny bought this for me last time she came to stay. Don’t you remember, Daddy?’

      Stephen shrugged. ‘You know me and clothes, poppet, I can never remember things like that.’ He leaned towards her. ‘Now you sit and chat to Christina while I make her a sandwich; then we can go.’

      Stephen left the room and Victoria sat awkwardly on the very edge of the sofa.

      Christina broke the silence.

      ‘I realize you’re used to having your father’s exclusive attention, Victoria, and I really don’t want to spoil anything for you.’

      Immediately the child got up from the sofa and stood in front of her.

      ‘That’s good, because I’m not going to let you. Just stay away from us!’ Christina was shocked at the harsh words and saw something in the eyes of the eleven-year-old that chilled her to the bone.

      ‘I think I’ll go and help Daddy now,’ Victoria said, and ran out of the living-room before Christina had a chance to speak to her further.

      Stephen returned ten minutes later with a big tray covered in a white lace tray-cloth. He placed it in Christina’s lap with a flourish.

      ‘Dinner à la carte.’

      ‘Thank you.’ She looked down at the tray on which he had laid cheese and tomato toasties, garnished with lettuce and delicately cut cucumber. A slice of apple tart sat next to a bottle of chilled Frascati, and a champagne tulip held a single pale-peach rose.

      A small white envelope sat on top of the pile of sandwiches. Christina lifted it up, a question in her eyes.

      ‘Read it later.’ Stephen put his hand on her shoulder and bent forward, ‘I won’t be long, I promise.’ He glanced at the open doorway where Victoria was standing, an impatient look marring her pretty face.

      He planted a soft kiss on Christina’s cheek.

      ‘See you later.’

      ‘Have fun,’ she called, and heard Victoria shouting from the hall with glee: ‘Don’t worry, we will!’

      The last sound she heard was Victoria’s delighted giggling before the door slammed shut and she was left alone.

      Christina had very little appetite but drank most of the wine.

      Then she remembered the little card Stephen had left for her.

       Remember the last time we had cheese and tomato sandwiches?

      I’ll never forget.

      Love, S.

      Christina sighed and thought about the wonderful time they had shared in London four weeks previously. Stephen was a very different man this weekend. She was dozing in front of an old black and white movie when Stephen and Victoria returned home by taxi two hours later. Christina could tell that Stephen had been drinking as he bounded into the living-room. She noticed two scarlet spots of colour standing out on his cheeks as he sat down next to her.

      ‘How’s the lovely injured Christina?’

      ‘All the better for seeing you.’ She touched his hot cheek and leaned forward to kiss him. He jumped up as if he had been stung as Victoria bounced into the room, cheeks ablaze with excited colour and eyes sparkling.

      Christina groaned inwardly. Victoria did not look in the least bit tired.

      ‘How about a game of Monopoly?’ She began to rummage in an old oak chest, pulling out an assortment of board games.

      Stephen looked at the Victorian carriage clock on the carved mantelpiece and said, not firmly enough in Christina’s opinion, ‘I think it’s bedtime.’

      Victoria pouted, it’s only ten o’clock. I don’t usually go to bed until eleven on weekends.’

      She held the Monopoly box in front of Stephen’s face. ‘One quick game, please.’

      ‘Monopoly is not quick, Vicky, it takes hours,’ he sighed.

      ‘I don’t have to get up for school in the morning, Daddy. Please.’

      Her big eyes pleaded with him.

      ‘Would you like to play, Christina?’ Stephen looked at her, his eyes imploring.

      ‘It’s best if we play at the big table in СКАЧАТЬ