‘Someone?! You went out drinking with “someone”? Should I be concerned?’
‘Yes, why, what’s wrong with that? She’s a nanny. What do you think I do all day, stand around like an automaton, pushing swings and preparing alphabet shapes?’
‘But what have you got in common with a nanny? Why would she want to hang out with some old bird with two kids?’
‘Christ, Jake, really? We haven’t seen each other in days and that is all you have to say to me? We don’t all get to hang out at the Ivy drinking wine with our “clients”. I just thought it would be good to get out.’
‘OK, sorry, just sounded a bit odd, that’s all. Was it fun… What did you talk about?’
‘It was actually. She is a breath of fresh air. You might like her too, though perhaps in a different way. She’s mid-twenties, Spanish, with some Colombian and some Brazilian. She’s pretty hot, actually.’ Feeling a little awkward, she made herself busy tidying around Jake.
‘In that case, invite the poor girl for dinner.’
‘So you can not turn up?’
‘I’ve said I’m sorry about that. I’ve an enormous amount on at the moment. It’s crucial I pull my weight. Listen, Stella, sit down a second. Here, have a glass of wine—’
‘I don’t want to mix—’
‘Sit. Come here. Let me… Isn’t that better?’
‘What are you watching? Is that X Factor?’
He laughed. ‘Just trying to catch up on everything so I’m ready for our big night in.’
It was nice to see him being a bit more relaxed, thought Stella. A bit more like the old Jake, the guy he used to be when she first met him. Perhaps she was being too hard on him. She felt good leaning against his warmth, his bulk. His hair was starting to grey a tiny bit around the temples, he looked tired, but he was still very handsome. She began to fiddle with a button on his shirt, sliding her fingers through the opening.
‘So what’s been happening your end? Any legal excitement for me? Life as a partner still turning you on?’
He was staring at her, not saying anything, not answering her question. Then he said, ‘You look gorgeous tonight… What have you done, new hair?’
‘Nope, no new hair, just me. Well, maybe it’s clean, and a bit of make-up too… though I miss the chocolate fingerprints!’
His eyes shone as he leaned down to kiss her. This time it was her turn not to speak and she allowed her hand to wander down, passing each button until she reached his belt. She laid her hand on the bulge below.
‘Really? It’s that easy? Wow, if only I had known that when I used to prance around in my sexy underwear for you. Clean hair and a belly rub is all it takes.’
‘Oh, no, those are some very happy memories indeed, but you are just as sexy to me now as you were then. And, by the way, we might be out of practice, but that’s not my belly you’re rubbing.’
Jake wasn’t one for giving compliments, so when he did, it meant a lot. Maybe things weren’t as bad as she had thought. Maybe if she tried a little harder they could find their way through this difficult period. She swigged another gulp of her Pinot Noir and slid down between his legs. Lowering his trousers and releasing him, she made eye contact with him and raised an eyebrow; he smiled encouragement as she took him in her mouth. He gasped. She knew blow jobs were once her special skill. She enjoyed them, she enjoyed the way men became completely submissive once you had them in your mouth. She gently sucked and licked him, in and out, letting him touch her breasts, glad she was wearing quality support. She was feeling sexy and horny, and his excitement fed hers. She slowed, and then froze, watching him, until his eyes begged and he pulled her head towards him. As she took his balls in one hand, gently stroking them, he whimpered, ‘Yes, please, baby, yes.’ She stopped. There was no way she was going to let him have all the fun. She pulled down her jeans and pristine underwear, the bottom of the lovely set, and climbed on top of him, letting him feel the full depth of her, feeling the satisfaction of owning him, of knowing he wanted her so badly. This was the one place she could still be the boss. She started to kiss him as he bucked. She was touching herself, teasing her clitoris, determined they would come together. She wanted the release, the bonding, the togetherness that it would create. He was wild and within seconds they both climaxed and fell about, panting and a bit giddy.
Sometimes, Stella thought, perhaps all you need is a good fuck to reset things. She reached out for Jake’s cheek before kissing him lovingly and as she did she caught a whiff of shea butter on her hand. Thank you, Coco, she said to herself. Later that night, for the first time in a very long time, she allowed herself to fall asleep curled up in his arms. And she didn’t even find it irritating.
Chapter Ten
Ana
Ana was usually on time, and that always meant first. This wasn’t always the case. Before Stella had been constrained by motherhood, she would normally have been early, keen to get a head start. As for Dixie, she’d never been within six minutes of an agreed time in her life. The bar Dixie had chosen was under a theatre on Charing Cross Road. There was a TV blaring live music that Ana wanted to ask them to turn down.
Stella stumbled in first. My god, thought Ana, what is she wearing? Those same jeans and down jacket she always wore, now over a floral chemise that would have been more suited to a summer afternoon by a river than a basement bar in the West End. It was Wednesday, so Ana was wearing beige and brown, layered: a cashmere jumper, a Hermès scarf, and leather trousers.
‘God, Ana, I am so sorry. Nothing clean. Literally nothing. I’m dressed like I passed a pile from a charity shop and just took the first thing that fitted. You look amazing, as always. Those colours go beautifully with your skin. Give me a hug. My god, you’re so bony. How do you do it?’
‘Breathe, Stella. Breathe. Are you OK?’
‘Fine, just late. The nanny. Well, I say nanny. Jake’s downgraded us and we now pay a neighbour’s kid to babysit while she prepares for her GCSEs. She looks about 20, but apparently she’s 15. Anyway, I’m here. Guess who had sex on Tuesday night?’
‘I did.’
‘So did I, that’s news! Yours would only be news if you didn’t have sex. How’s Rex?’
‘Tired. Obviously. The scheduling is quite demanding. The ovulation timing is crucial apparently. Yesterday we met and had sex in the toilets at the Soho Hotel at 6.15 p.m. We walked in at 6.10 and walked out at 6.20, job done. Wham bam, thank you, ma’am, and five minutes later Rex was back in a meeting.’
‘It’s supposed to be fun, you know? You’re making a new life, not a robot.’
‘Yes, it’s supposed to be fun, until like most things, it isn’t. There is a schedule. There is a time limit. We have to take this seriously to maximise the probability of success.’
‘God, are you sure it’s worth the effort? Kids destroy everything: body, clothes, minds. They’re worse than puppies.’
‘But more adorable. And obedient.’
‘Honey, you are deluded.’
‘Bitches!’ The cry was Dixie. ‘Don’t hate the later. Bundles of excuses too boring to cite.’