‘How many weeks are you?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t even done a test yet. I’ve been putting it off. I can’t bear the thought of telling Patrizio.’
‘You should see a doctor and have the dates confirmed,’ he said. ‘I am sure you will find that rules me out.’
There was another silence.
‘He hasn’t forgiven me, Garth. We’re not really back together. We’re only doing it because of Bruno and Jamie.’ She explained the situation between the two boys and added, ‘It’s killing me to have Patrizio back in my life with this horrible thing between us. I just need to understand how it happened.’
‘I told you what happened.’
‘Tell me again, bit by bit. I don’t care how embarrassing it is. I just need to know what led me to—’
‘I’m sorry, but I have to go. Mischa’s going to be phoning me any minute.’
‘Garth, please I—’
‘Stop it, Keira,’ he said, cutting her off again. ‘There’s no point in pursuing this. I have to go. Goodbye.’
Keira stared at the mobile, the dial tone sounding deafening in the accusing silence…
The house was quiet when she got home, which somehow made Keira feel even more desperately alone. Every room seemed to contain a hint of Patrizio’s aftershave, which made her heart contract to the point of pain when she thought of the final curtain coming down on their marriage. How would she survive it? How would she cope without seeing him every day? The last two months had shattered her both emotionally and physically; God only knew what would happen to her if he cut her from his life for good.
She went upstairs to the bedroom and, taking the pregnancy test kit out of her bag, looked at it for a long moment. She was torn between wanting to know for sure and wanting to pretend it wasn’t happening. It was cowardly of her, she knew, but she stuffed it in her underwear drawer, covering it haphazardly with piles of lace.
She let out a shaky breath and walked back to the bed, where she had dumped her bag, and took out her mobile. ‘Mum? Have you got a minute to talk?’ she asked once her mother had answered.
‘Oh, I’m glad you called, Keira,’ Robyn said in a bustling tone. ‘I tried to call you earlier but you were engaged. I’ve spoken to Patrizio and he’s accepted our invitation to dinner this evening.’
‘Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, I imagine,’ Keira said with a touch of pique.
‘I hope you’re not going to be petulant about our ongoing relationship with him.’ Her mother sighed. ‘He’s taken you back and you should be very grateful, although how long for is anyone’s guess.’
Keira felt her heart kick against her sternum. ‘What do you mean by that?’ she asked.
‘You know what you’re like, Keira, getting your knickers in a twist over nothing. I’m terrified you’re going to ruin things again with your willful, erratic behaviour.’
‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mum, it’s exactly what every insecure girl needs from her mother.’
‘You’re not insecure, you’re immature,’ Robyn said. ‘You’ve had everything that money could buy and still you’re not happy. For God’s sake, what else do you want from us?’
Keira felt tears at the backs of her eyes. ‘I want to be accepted for who I am,’ she said. ‘Is that so much to ask?’
‘You are talking rubbish again, Keira,’ her mother said dismissively. ‘Your father and I have done all we can to support you, but you seem incapable of being grateful.’
‘Do you love me, Mum?’ she asked.
‘What sort of question is that?’
‘It’s the sort of question insecure daughters need to ask occasionally.’
‘Keira, I am finding this conversation very upsetting,’ Robyn said. ‘Of course I love you; you’re my daughter.’
‘Does Dad love me?’
‘Keira, please, this is ridiculous—’
‘Does he?’