CHAPTER SIX
ALICESMILEDATthe elderly couple. ‘Of course it’s okay to change your order.’ Again. ‘I’ll just nip into the kitchen and sort that out.’ But she’d have to be quick.
Turning, she threaded her way between the tables, pushing exhausted muscles to hurry, though it felt as if she were wading through treacle, her feet ridiculously heavy. She glanced at her watch. Another hour. Could she make it to the end of her shift?
She’d been grateful for the additional work when one of the other girls hadn’t been able to come in, knowing it meant a little extra in the bank for when the baby came. Yet now she felt worn too thin. Exhausted as she was, she couldn’t sleep properly.
Was she doing the right thing, severing contact with Adoni? Not taking the paternity test he’d demanded?
It was a major step, one she couldn’t take lightly. Yet the things he’d said in London, his ultra-cynical attitude... She wasn’t sure she wanted him helping bring up their child.
Not that he would. His idea of involvement was probably throwing money at the kid. Paid nursemaids and posh boarding schools, rather than love and caring.
He’d made it clear he had no interest in the baby, other than as a financial burden or a tool for blackmail. She shivered, wondering what sort of world he inhabited where distrust and deceit were the natural order.
Wearily she pushed open the door to the kitchen and relayed the change of order. Then she grabbed a glass of water and slumped against the wall. She needed to catch her breath long enough to get through the next hour.
Alice closed her eyes, taking another slow drink. Had she done right, telling Adoni’s PA when she’d rung to arrange the paternity test that she’d changed her mind? She wasn’t going through with the test.
He’d think it was because the child wasn’t his.
The trouble was, this way she’d deny her baby the chance to know its father. If she had the test, Adoni would be involved in their baby’s upbringing. Yet Alice feared what that meant for the child.
And for her. Because even while he’d been spouting the most abhorrent accusations, she’d found herself craving the physical comfort she remembered from Adoni’s embrace. When she was nauseous and, instead of walking away, he’d cared for her, she’d felt almost ready to forgive him his doubts.
How dangerous was that?
She refused to become a woman who made excuses for a man’s bad behaviour. Who knew where that would end?
‘Alice, there you are.’ It was Viv, her boss. ‘Hey, are you okay?’
Alice straightened and opened her eyes. ‘Just grabbing some water. I’m running on empty today, but don’t worry, I’ll go and—’
Viv waved her hand. ‘That’s what I came to talk to you about. You look done in. I’ve called Chrissie and she’s coming straight over. She’ll be here in five so you can grab your stuff and go.’
Alice stared. She couldn’t help it. Viv was a decent boss, but she’d never before noticed when Alice felt on the verge of collapse, which had been several times lately. Even when the morning sickness was at its height, fortunately only for a short time, Viv had been almost oblivious, concentrating on her booming business.
‘Go on, what are you waiting for?’ Viv smiled. ‘I’d be hurrying if I had such a good-looking escort to take me home.’
‘Escort? I don’t have an escort.’
Viv’s blonde eyebrows rose and her smile was positively girlish as she nudged Alice. ‘Keeping him quiet, are you? That’s fine, love, so long as no one else sees him. But even in that tucked-away corner he’s attracting a lot of attention. If I were you I’d get my skates on.’
‘But—’
‘No buts.’ Viv pushed her towards the cupboard that served as a locker for staff belongings. ‘You don’t keep a man like that waiting.’ The older woman gave a slow wink. ‘Especially since he persuaded your boss to let you leave early. Now, get going before he comes in here to see what’s taking so long. He looks the sort to do just that.’
To Alice’s astonishment she heard a rasp of approval in Viv’s husky voice. Viv who, as far as she knew, cared for nothing but her café and her two cats.
Dazed, Alice relinquished her order pad, put on her jacket and shoulder bag and walked back into the café.
Instantly her gaze turned to the far side of the room from the tables she’d been serving, to the dark corner couples often chose for its intimacy.
Her eyes bulged. Her breath was a sharp indrawn hiss.
She almost backed into the kitchen, thinking of the rear exit into a deserted lane.
But it was too late. Adoni Petrakis had seen her.