her. ‘Do you know how many times I scraped your dinner into the bin during the twelve years of our marriage, Alessandro?’
‘My working hours are unpredictable, it’s true, but—’
‘How many times did we sit down together and talk during the week?’
‘At the dinner table, rarely,’ he admitted, ‘but always we were in the same bed at night.’
The remark was so typical of him that she gave a wry smile. ‘That’s just sex, Alessandro.’
One ebony brow swooped upwards in silent mockery. ‘Just sex, querida?’
Her stomach rolled and fire licked through her veins. She wasn’t going to think about sex now, she told herself frantically. She wasn’t going to remember what it was like to be in bed with Alessandro. He was a spectacular lover.
‘A relationship takes more than an encounter in the bedroom to keep it alive,’ she said huskily, and he studied her in brooding silence.
‘And that’s why you left? You felt neglected? I didn’t ask you about your day often enough?’
‘I don’t think you ever asked me about my day. You’re a great father, a skilled and talented doctor, a fantastic climber…’ She swallowed. ‘But—’
‘But I’ve been a lousy husband,’ Alessandro drawled softly, and she shook her head quickly.
‘Not lousy, no.’ She gripped her glass. ‘But you’re so driven, so focused on what you do and… I suppose I feel as though you don’t notice me any more.’
She wanted to ask about Katya. Wanted to know whether he’d had an affair during the weeks that they’d been apart. But something held her back. He wouldn’t do that, she told herself. Alessandro wouldn’t do that.
‘How long have you hated being a practice nurse?’
She looked at him, surprised by the question. ‘I don’t hate it.’ She hesitated. ‘But I suppose part of me is always frustrated. I miss the pace and unpredictability of A and E. You know what it’s like—sort of an addiction.’
He gave a wry smile. ‘You get high on the adrenaline rush of not knowing what’s coming through the door next?’
She returned the smile. ‘Yes, in a way. In general practice it’s all so much more predictable and routine. And a bit lonely. I was shut in a room all day, seeing an endless stream of patients. We have practice meetings, of course, and I speak to the GPs about various patients, but I miss the teamwork of A and E.’
Alessandro sat back in his chair as the waiter delivered plates of food to their table. ‘So why have you stuck at it for so long?’
‘Because it fits with school hours,’ Christy said slowly, leaning forward to examine the various dishes he’d ordered. ‘It’s convenient for family life. But the children are older now…’
Should she tell him that she didn’t think that she could go back? Should she tell him that, after experiencing the buzz of A and E again, she was starting to rethink her whole life?
‘Why did you never tell me any of this before?’
She shrugged. ‘What was the point? One of us had to be there for the children and that wasn’t going to be you—you’re not that sort of man. I knew that when I married you and that was fine. And, anyway, you had a great career. And I suppose I’ve never told you any of this before because…’ She broke off, suddenly hesitant. ‘Well, because you’ve never asked.’
‘Perhaps because I assumed that if there was a problem you would tell me.’ He frowned. ‘I’m not great at guessing games and reading minds. That’s more Jake’s forte.’
‘Jake. He’s such a good person, isn’t he?’ Christy smiled to herself and missed the dangerous flash in Alessandro’s eyes. ‘I can’t believe we’ve been friends for such a long time. And I can’t understand why he hasn’t settled down with some very lucky woman long before now.’ She heard Alessandro’s sharp intake of breath and glanced up.
‘Perhaps he wants someone who is unavailable,’ he snapped. His tone was icy cold and she looked at him, surprised by the comment.
‘Oh, no! Jake isn’t like that. He’d never go after a married woman.’
‘But if she wasn’t married any more, she’d be fair game,’ Alessandro said tightly. ‘Isn’t that right?’
‘Well, I suppose so. Maybe.’ Christy stared at him, wondering why he suddenly seemed so tense and moody. Had she said something? ‘Anyway, why are we talking about Jake?’
There was a long, pulsing silence while Alessandro studied her and drummed his fingers on the table. ‘He just seemed to come up in conversation,’ he said silkily, and she gave a puzzled smile.
‘Well, we’ve all known each other and been friends for the same length of time, so I suppose that’s natural.’ She helped herself to a spoonful of another dish and tried not to mind that Alessandro suddenly seemed tense and uncommunicative.
He didn’t enjoy her company any more, she thought miserably as she chewed her way through a mouthful of food that she didn’t even want. And he still hadn’t said anything about what she was wearing or made a single move in her direction.
It was so unlike him. In the past, whenever they’d had a problem, he’d just grabbed her and that had been that. Now he didn’t seem to want to touch her.
Was it because he didn’t find her attractive any more?
Or was it because he was seeing someone else?
Back in the barn, the DVD had just finished and Ben was changing into his pyjamas in front of the fire.
‘Uncle Jake, what’s mating?’
Jake choked on his whisky. ‘Well, I…’ He cleared his throat and vowed never to babysit again. ‘Ben, you’ve had seven years to ask that question. Why do you have to ask it now, while Mummy is out?’
‘Because Katy said it earlier,’ Ben said solemnly, wriggling his arms and head into his pyjama top. ‘She said that we have to get Mummy and Daddy back into the same bedroom so that they can mate. It’s why I broke the bed and spilled my drink.’
Jake gave up on the whisky. ‘You did what?’
‘I broke the bed,’ Ben said patiently, ‘by bouncing hard. Katy did it, too. So Mummy couldn’t sleep there any more. But it didn’t work.’
Jake put his glass down on the nearest table. ‘It didn’t?’
Ben shook his head. ‘Daddy went and slept on the sofa, so I spilt my blackcurrant on it.’
Jake’s gaze slid to the sofa on the far side of the room, now covered in towels. ‘So you did.’
‘Now Daddy has to sleep with Mummy in the bed,’ Ben said proudly, and Jake looked at him thoughtfully before shifting his gaze to Katy.
‘It appears that you’ve been rather busy, young lady.’
‘You can’t tell me off. You’re my godfather. You’re only responsible for my religious education.’
He lifted a brow. ‘No more presents, then.’
She grinned. ‘Presents are acceptable.’
‘I just bet they are.’ Jake studied her face and thought how much she resembled her father. ‘Have you been interfering?’
‘Maybe. Just a little.’ Her expression was wary, as if she was unsure of his response. ‘Never underestimate a child.’
‘I don’t,’ Jake said dryly, rising to his feet and reaching for his glass. He had a strong feeling he was going to need a large refill. ‘Let’s