Free A Question of Love by Isabel Wolff Page B

leave must be up soon.’
    Felicity drew in her breath. ‘I’m not.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘I’ve decided, Laura.’ She opened the fridge. ‘I’m not going back. At least, not for three years,’ she corrected herself as she rummaged around. ‘But don’t mention it in front of Hugh. I only told him this morning, and he’s not taking it very well.’
    ‘I’m not surprised.’ I knew they had a huge mortgage, not least because of all the fertility treatment. ‘It’ll be hard for him, Fliss.’
    She shrugged. ‘That’s his own look out—he had a good job. I know you’ll think me hard-hearted,’ she went on as she took out a bottle of French dressing. ‘But for seventeen years, I’ve looked after other people’s little darlings, and now I want to devote myself to my own. I expect Hugh to support me for a while and that’s all there is to it. If my decision forces him to go back to work again, then so much the better, because this bloody inventing lark’s not going to work out.’
    ‘I don’t know—he might come up with something, really, you know…handy.’
    ‘They haven’t exactly been brilliant inventions so far, have they? That thing that looks like a Pritt Stick, but is filled with butter instead of glue, “to save washing up”; those two tiny umbrellas you clip to the front of your shoes…’
    ‘Oh yes. To protect them in the rain.’
    She rolled her eyes. ‘That’s right. The umbrella with a skylight so you can check if it’s stopped raining without getting yourself wet…’
    ‘Mmm—and those edible picnic knives and forks.’
    ‘I know. Useless ,’ said Felicity with a bitter laugh. ‘Whatever next? An inflatable dartboard?’ I heard a creak on the stairs. Then Olivia sucked the last of the milk with a contented sigh.
    ‘She’s finished it, Fliss.’ I dabbed the corner of her mouth.
    ‘That was quick. Here, darling…’ she took Olivia, lifted her aloft, kissed her twice, then put her on her left shoulder. ‘I mean, I can think of some useful things Hugh could invent.’
    ‘Like what?’ said Hugh, slightly stiffly, as he came in. He’s very tall—six foot three—and slightly shambling-looking in his old corduroys and his Guernsey jumper, but he’s very handsome, in a boyish sort of way. ‘Hi Laura.’ He beamed at me, then gave me a fraternal kiss. ‘What useful things would you want me to invent, Fliss?’
    ‘Well, things we really need , ‘ she replied. ‘Like nail varnish which dries in one second for instance, or tights that never run, or a microwave with a “Reverse” button for those times when I overcook things, or a voicemail system which lets you go back in and delete the stupid, incoherent message you just left someone, or, let’s see—oh God she’s puked!’ A tiny white lagoon had formed on Felicity’s shoulder and was now oozing down her back. ‘Where’s the muslin?’ She cast her eyes about. ‘I never, ever have a muslin when I need one.’
    ‘Which explains why you look like a walking Jackson Pollock,’ said Hugh.
    ‘Could you grab me some kitchen roll?’ He tore some off and wiped her baggy black t-shirt. ‘Blast—I’ll have to wash it again. Oh well,’ she sighed. ‘Spit happens, and at least she’s kept most of it down.’ By now Olivia’s blonde head was sinking on to Felicity’s chest. ‘She’s so tired, the little darling. Could you put her in her cot, Hugh, while I carry on with supper?’
    ‘I was about to pour myself a drink. I’ve had a long day.’
    ‘You can have a drink afterwards ,’ she said as she handed him the baby, ‘but I want her in bed right now.’ Hugh took Olivia, then gave Fliss a mock salute.
    ‘Rog-er. Nighty-night Auntie Laura,’ he squeaked, offering me the baby to kiss. ‘Your quiz was fantastic by the way.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘Everyone we know watched it so I guess you got a good audience.’
    ‘We did. The overnight viewing figures were amazing for a first outing—almost three million.