The past few days had been extraordinarily tense for Peter but the modifications to the bridge had finally been successful, and now he could think of nothing more enjoyable than relaxing with his wife and entertaining the boys. When he suggested another coastal walk to Andrea, and she declined to accompany him, Peter assumed that she must still think him partly to blame for his recent absence. Otherwise she would not be denying him the pleasure of winning back the leisure activity they had enjoyed most before his illness. But though it was unfair of her, Peter had no intention of sulking. In any case what could he say that he hadn’t said before? The work in Falmouth had been urgent and unavoidable, and for him to apologise for it would be absurd. He had hated going and had made this clear at the time. To remind Andrea now would be to treat her like a child. As Peter came downstairs, his wife took herself off to another room, so he assumed she would prefer him to devote the morning to the boys.
