‘It’s Patrice’s fortieth birthday a couple of weeks beforehand,’ she explained. ‘I’m trying to persuade him to celebrate, so, if we have a party, maybe you’ll come over here instead?’ ‘Possibly,’ said Stella, a little stiffly. ‘Though it’s not easy to get the extra time off around Christmas. We get a wee bit busy, with everyone’s dreams of reuniting long-lost family.’ ‘Well, he’s yet to give in and agree to anything, so I’ll keep you posted.’ ‘Okay.’ ‘You don’t really mind, do you, if I don’t come to London?’ There was an infinitesimal pause. ‘I guess I can make other plans.’ ‘I’m sorry to let you down. But do see if you can get the time off to come here. You know how much I’d love to see you.’ ‘You sound happy,’ said Stella neutrally. ‘I am. Things have really shifted between us. He seems, I don’t know, lighter, somehow. We’re clearing one of the other bedrooms, getting a new mattress for the bed in there.’ Leonie chatted on, instinctively offering Stella time to recover from, and forgive, her offence.
