Page 22 of Lessons in Life

‘Oh, the Hudson House garden? Not exactly Mum’s garden.’

‘I’ve always been interested in architecture.’

‘Since when?’ I sat up, leaning on one elbow, looking down at Fabian’s closed eyes, moving to gently kiss every bit of his face and neck.

‘You continue doing that and you’ll end up having four hours’ sleep,’ he murmured sleepily.

‘Since when?’ I insisted.

‘Since when what?’

‘Since when have you been interested in architecture?’

‘Since your mum started talking about this classical building sitting in the middle of a West Yorkshire garden.’ He opened his eyes. ‘I’ve nothing else to do and it would be good to spend some time with her. Get to know her a bit better.’ He sighed. ‘I need to work, Robyn. I’ve had three months of doing little but look after Boris and cook for Jemima and her new bloke. Mum keeps asking when I’m returning to the firm.’

‘Blimey, you sound like royalty.’ I attempted levity to counteract the feelings of dread I always felt when he talked about returning to London. ‘Sodoyou want to go back?’

‘I don’t particularly want to go back to London; I don’t want to become embroiled once more in the madness that’s the Central Criminal Court, with all it involves.’ He sighed again. ‘But I need to work. Iwantto work.’

‘How are you living? I mean, without working?’ Was that a question I should be asking? A bit personal maybe? ‘Listen, I haven’t much, but what I have is yours.’

He started laughing. ‘Thank you. I’ll know where to come when I’m totally on my uppers. I’ve savings, a trust fund from my grandmother, investments.’

Of course he had. He was a posh bloke from Bucks.

‘That’s not a problem.’ He went on, ‘At the moment anyway. The problem is not working. Everyone needs to work and earn a living.’

‘So, you’re going back?’ I felt my heart plummet.

‘Savings don’t last for ever. And yes, Mum, Dad and, of course, Julius are now on my back wanting me to return from my “little holiday”, as Julius calls it. Tempting me back with small cases that won’t, according to Julius, have me “running for the hills again”.’

‘So, nothing doing with taking on Joel Sinclair for Sorrel, then?’

‘I didn’t say I would, Robyn.’

‘You didn’t say you wouldn’t either.’

‘Come back down with me.’ Fabian appeared to be ignoring the question of Joel Sinclair. ‘You can stay at the apartment in St James with me.’

‘And what wouldIdo?’

‘Audition for theatre parts again.’

‘I can’t do anything until Easter, Fabian. I can’t let the kids down when they’re all excited about putting on this production ofGrease.’

‘I thought you said earlier they were more interested in getting pizza down their necks.’

‘They’re teenagers. Always hungry. Once we get back properly into the new term, rehearsals will start again. And I’ll make sure they eat first. And the studio is warm.’

‘So, no coming back to London with me, then?’

‘Don’t ask me to make these big decisions when I’m only five hours’ sleep from facing 9CL once more.’

‘Let’s make it four and a half,’ Fabian murmured, a warm hand snaking gently into the waistband of my recently retrieved pyjamas.

8

LISA

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