Page 66 of Kissing Games
He walked out without looking back.
21
Valentina curled up on a sofa by the empty fireplace to take the call, hidden from the door by the tall back of the seat.
She made an effort to smile when Isabella’s face appeared on the screen, even though her thoughts were still with Charlie. ‘Hey, sexy mamá, how are you doing?’
Her sister tried to smile in return but immediately dissolved into tears.
‘Bella, what’s wrong? Where’s Matias?’
Isabella’s face was puffy, as if she’d been crying a while. ‘At work,’ she sobbed.
‘Where’s Mamá? Abuela and Abuelita? You can’t be alone!’
Isabella blew her nose. ‘I’m sorry, Tina, I thought I’d be okay if I talked to you. I didn’t mean to cry.’
‘Sweetheart, it’s okay. I’m glad you rang. What’s going on?’
Isabella wiped her eyes and smoothed her hands over her face. ‘I keep getting these pains. They’re called Braxton Hicks contractions. My belly goes tight like a drum. But, Tina, they hurt so much. It’s getting real now and I’m scared.’
‘Have you spoken to Mamá? Your midwife?’
Isabella nodded. ‘They say everything’s fine.’ She puffed out her cheeks. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump all this on you.’
Valentina looked at her bag which contained the script that had arrived earlier. It was the reason she wouldn’t be at the birth, holding her sister’s hand. She felt sick with guilt. The role wasn’t even paying much, but it was so different from anything she’d ever done before. She was gambling on it being the catalyst for new and more interesting jobs.
‘Remind me when you’re coming home?’ Isabella asked.
This was a rhetorical question. They both knew when. ‘I’ll be back for my birthday.’
‘You never told me about the film you’re doing next. What’s it about?’
More shame scratched at Valentina’s skin. Even her agent said the role was a risk. ‘It’s just a small independent art house. The story’s about London life,’ she lied. ‘It’s not important.’
‘Then why do it?’ her sister asked bluntly. ‘Pull out. It won’t affect anything. Just come home.’
Irritation flared inside her. She couldn’t. She’d never pulled out of a contract. She’d never missed a day’s work. ‘I can’t.’
Isabella was silent, staring at her.
Valentina shook her head. ‘I won’t. I won’t walk away from my responsibilities.’
Her sister’s jaw was trembling. ‘What about us? Aren’t we more important than some little film?’
‘I’m doing this for you!’ Valentina cried. ‘Everything is for you!’
Her sister shook her head. ‘It’s not what I want. I want you here.’
When the call ended,the daylight was fading and the library was getting dark. Valentina lay on the sofa in a ball, her body numb and her mind blank. She was in a prison of her own making and couldn’t see a way out. The door opened and someone crept in, crying. She lifted her head over the back of the sofa to see Shauna, her shoulders shaking as she held her face.
‘Shauna?’
She shrieked. ‘Oh, Valentina, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here.’
‘Chica, it’s okay. Come sit for a bit.’
Shauna looked from the door to her watch. She crossed the room and sat next to Valentina. ‘She’s eating with His Holiness. I’ve got a few minutes.’
