Page 25 of A Chance in a Million
‘Any time.’ Veronica took a sip of coffee. ‘I just wish the roles were reversed. I would love to be able to start writing again.’
‘Still no sign of your muse returning?’
Veronica shook her head sadly. ‘Still nothing.’
‘Well, give it time. I’m sure the inspiration will come.’
‘I do so hope you’re right, but I’m not holding my breath.’
Chapter 14
A few days later, Jane was sitting at her laptop when her now regular little visitor put in another appearance.
‘Ciao, Jane. Can I have some lemonade?’ There was a momentary pause before she added as an afterthought, ‘Please.’
Jane looked up and saw Linda at the door, her teddy in her hand as always.
‘Ciao, Linda. Come on in. Of course you can. I think I’ll have some myself.’ She went over to the fridge and heard the familiar clicking of Labrador nails on the floor behind her, followed by a friendly nudge from his cold wet nose. She turned to see him panting. ‘And hi to you, too, Dino. Feeling hot?’ Although they were up here in the hills, the temperature had been rising all week and Jane had even been considering another swim in the icy waters of the lake later this afternoon. She glanced across at the little girl who had piled the cushions onto her chair and was once more sitting level with the table. ‘I’ll get him a biscuit if you ask him to say please.’
By the time she had poured two glasses of lemonade – to which she was rapidly becoming addicted – the dog was sitting at Linda’s side with one big hairy paw on her lap. Jane handed the biscuit to the little girl who gave it to the Labrador. He settled onto the floor to eat it while Jane sat down alongside the little girl and they chatted. Just like with the girl’s mother, Jane found herself increasingly drawn to this little mite.
‘I love your lemonade.’ Linda offered her glass to the inscrutable teddy but received no response so she turned back to Jane and explained. ‘Teddy doesn’t like lemons.’
‘Well then, there’s all the more for us, isn’t there?’
‘My mummy says you work for my nonna. What do you do?’
‘I help her with her work.’
‘My mummy works. She’s on TV.’
‘I know. How clever of her.’
‘So’s my daddy, but I don’t see him very much now.’ She looked very serious. ‘They’redivorziati.’ Although they were speaking English, she used the Italian word.
‘That’s a pity, but maybe it was for the best if your mummy and daddy weren’t happy.’ Jane was feeling her way here. Talking to a seven-year-old about divorce was well outside her comfort zone.
‘They used to argue all the time.’ Linda picked up her teddy and hugged him. ‘Teddy and I both heard them. It was horrid.’
‘But now your mummy and daddy are happy. So that should make you feel happy, too.’
‘I suppose so. Are youdivorziata?’
‘Not exactly, but I’m on my own. Your mummy’s lucky. She’s got you.’
‘Why are you alone?’
Jane could hardly tell her the full details of what had happened so she improvised. ‘I had a boyfriend but he went away.’
‘Is he coming back?’
‘I’m afraid not.’
‘Why not?’
Jane was struggling now and it came as a mighty relief to hear Beatrice’s voice at the door.
‘I’ve been wondering where you were, Linda. You were sent over to ask Jane to come for tea, not to plonk yourself down here and stay.’ She waved to Jane. ‘Hi, Jane, Mum says there’s tea in the garden if you’re interested.’
