Page 100 of A Good Heart is Hard to Find
I stared at him. ‘What? Did he tellyou that?’
‘Yes, he said: “She’s put my ancestor in her sodding book as a corrupt, bloodsucking monster!”’
‘A very attractive monster,’ I said without thinking, and Eddie grinned.
I resisted the urge to throw something at him, since I’d have hit Rosetta too. They were still partially entwined to the point where it was hard to see where one stopped and the other began.
‘If Pa sets eyes on youand Rosetta like that, you’ll be married before you can say Eternal Damnation!’ I snapped.
Eddie shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter, does it, Rosie?’
‘Not to me, but it might be easier for the baby.’
‘Which baby?’ I said, losing the thread of the plot.
‘Eddie’s baby,’ Rosetta said proudly.
‘What?Already?Does Dante know?’
‘No – I’ve only just started it. I’ll tell him later, before we leave.’
‘But you can’t have a baby in a van!’ I protested weakly.
‘I could, but maybe Dante will let us have the lodge when we need it. And by then, maybe you two will—’
‘No we won’t. Forget it,’ I interrupted hastily. Then I had a sudden warming thought: ‘I’ll be an auntie!’
My eye fell on the kitchen clock: ‘Look at the time!’ Quickly I swirled cream on to two bowls of soup, took the bread out ofthe oven and arranged the trays.
‘Put Eddie down, Rosetta, and take one of these. I have to go out and meet Francis.’
