‘Perhaps he thinks you might have calmed down about it now – because you’re happy, with a successful business and a wonderful man. He’s probably thinking some of the angst might have evaporated,’ Emma told her.
‘Didn’t know me very well then, did he? Angst is pretty permanent once you’ve pissed me off,’ Freya reminded her.
‘Maybe it isn’t him,’ Emma replied.
‘Yeah, you’re right, it probably isn’t him. It just freaked me out hearing the name,’ Freya said.
‘I can understand that,’ Emma answered.
‘But it probably isn’t him,’ Freya repeated.
‘No,’ Emma agreed.
‘But what am I going to do if it’s him?’ Freya asked her.
‘Freya! If it’s him, you are going to a) be professional and b) remember he’s over thirty now, not the seventeen-year-old he was when he took the money from your father,’ Emma told her.
‘But I can’t not mention that. I mean, it would be odd if I didn’t, wouldn’t it?’
‘Why don’t you see if he mentions it and then if you get to your desserts and he hasn’t mentioned it, you can slip it in over coffee,’ Emma suggested.
‘Good idea. Now I know why I called you.’
‘I’m glad no one’s taken over my role even though you’re living further away than ever,’ Emma told her.
‘You are irreplaceable. So, how’s motherhood?’
‘Tiring. I thought being pregnant was exhausting, but it was nothing compared to the sleep deprivation I’m suffering now,’ Emma explained.
‘But Yiannis is helping with the night feeding, right?’ Freya checked.
‘Yes, he dotes on Melly, but I’m trying to breastfeed so it’s difficult to share that.’
‘Urgh! God! Sorry, I know it’s meant to be wonderful and natural and certainly all the A-listers are giving it a go, from what I have heard, but God, I don’t think I could do it.’
‘Well, it isn’t easy but I’m trying to persevere.’
‘I bet if it were men with the breasts, the percentage of babies being breastfed would be dramatically reduced.’
‘I expect you’re right.’
‘Listen, I’m going to try and come and see you in the next couple of months, because I have yet to see my little godchild in the flesh,’ Freya told her.
‘That would be nice. How long is the flight time for you?’ Emma asked.
‘Don’t mention the flight time or I might just hurl right now. It’s something stupid like fifteen hours with a stop in Paris,’ Freya said, her stomach churning at the thought of it.
‘You mean Nick hasn’t got a private jet.’
‘Nick used to have a private jet. In fact, he used to have a lot of fancy things he didn’t need. I’ve been streamlining,’ Freya answered with a smile.
‘I hope Villa Kamia isn’t on your “unnecessary” list just yet,’ Emma said.
Villa Kamia was Nicholas’ holiday home in Kassiopi, Corfu. Emma, Yiannis and Melissa were living in it while their own house was being built.
‘No, don’t worry. We won’t be selling that any time soon. That’s the one luxury item I want to hold on to,’ Freya admitted.
‘Well, hopefully we won’t be in it for all that much longer. The builders are progressing with the house quite well.’