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Stellapulled back from him in surprise, and his hand returned to her waist. ‘Oh, sorry!It’smostly just the back of her head, soIthought it would be okay.I’lltake it down.’Hercheeks heated.
‘It’snothing big…’Hekissed her on the forehead, like he had already forgiven her.
‘Yeah, yeah.Iknow.Don’tworry.IsaidI’lltake it down.’Shepushed herself away from him and picked up her phone.Withinmoments, the photo was gone from her feed.Arush of sadness washed through her.She’dloved that photo.Nowshe wouldn’t be able to look at it without remembering this exchange instead of the event itself.
Returningto the oven, she tried to shake off the awkwardness.Ofcourse they’d agreed not to post pics ofGrace, but she really wasn’t identifiable.He’soverreacting, she thought.Evenso, the reprimand stung.
However, she had bigger fish to fry tonight.Shecouldn’t get distracted.Slappinga smile on her face, she offered another morsel of cuteGraceinformation from her day to get him back on side. ‘ShesaidZebba.’
‘She’sa genius.’Heplucked an olive out of a bowl.
‘Andher walking is coming on.Shekeeps crawling out of her pram.’Stelladidn’t want to tell him the whole story.Shehad been taking a break for a minute, sitting on a bench with the sun on her face and her eyes closed.WhenStellaopened her eyes a few moments later, she had the shock of her life.Gracehad managed to sneak out of her pushchair and toddle away.
Thankfullyone of the zoo employees broughtGraceback, babbling away in toddler-speak and blissfully unaware of the heart attack she’d almost givenStella.Badmother vibes clung to her—a feeling she was getting overly familiar with.Shestirred the curry and pushed the feeling away.
Thewedding.Sheneeded to concentrate on that.WhenKrishcalled her the other day to tell her it was happening, she confirmed immediately that she was on board.Oneway or another, she would be there, even if the thought of leavingGracefor three days filled her with anxiety.Butshe had to get over it.Sheneeded to do this job for her own sanity.
Itwasn’t likeConnorcouldn’t handle it.Whiletravelling, they had both taken equal responsibility caring forGrace.Onlysince they’d returned had it reverted toStella’sfull-time job.Connorwent happily to work every day, and she’d become, well, herownmother,Angela.
Thatwas not what she wanted.Thisjob withKrishmight help to rebalance things.
Shespooned the curry and rice into bowls and toldConnorto follow her into the dining room.
‘Hmmm.Thefancy china.Isit a special occasion?’ he asked as they settled into their seats.
Stellalit the candles on the table. ‘No.Ijust wanted to spend some time with you.Ifeel like we haven’t talked properly since we got back.’
‘Thislooks delicious.’Connorleaned forward and inhaled deeply.
‘Rememberthe night we had this inJaipur?Thelittle old lady with the eyepatch and the—’
‘—gangster monkey on her shoulder?’
Theyboth laughed and took a bite, recoiling at the same time.Itwas too hot to eat.
Takinga sip of wine to cool her tongue, she said, ‘Sowhat do you think was up withKrish?’
‘Noidea.Hedidn’t want to talk about it, but in hindsight, he was a little quiet all day.Ishould send him a quick text and check he’s okay.’
Stellathought about the nights whenConnorcame home and she’d been quiet.Henoticed more about his assistant than he did about his wife.Sheclenched her jaw, but carried on. ‘Anyluck finding a replacement for him?’
‘Somegood options,Ithink.It’sthe interview processIhate.I’llknow within a minute whetherI’minterested, butI’llstill have to see out the full half an hour.Anyway,I’vegot them lined up for next weekend.’
Sittingup straight,Stellafrowned. ‘Asin, not thisSaturday, but nextSaturday?’
‘Yeah.Why?Isthat a problem?’
Notime like the present…
Squaringher shoulders, she said, ‘Connor,I’mgoing to be away that day.Infact,I’mgoing to be away for three days.I’massistingKrishat a big wedding inOxfordshire.’
‘Whendid this happen?Hedidn’t mention anything to me.’Hecrossed his arms.
Shedid the same. ‘Iasked him not to.Iwanted to talk to you about it myself.’
‘Howlong have you known?’
‘SinceTuesday.’
