‘Well, I already know that.’ I laugh. ‘Do you remember your thirtieth birthday, when you told me that Mother always excludes you? She dotes on Miles, but not on you? You said you would have room for her in your heart if only she would let you into hers.’

You squirm awkwardly in your chair. ‘Did I say that?’

‘Yes.’

You frown. ‘I don’t remember. I try not to complain about your mother. It’s not really fair on you, or Miles.’ You take a sip of mineral water. I watch your voluptuous lips adhere to the glass as you drink. My heart palpitates.

I smile inside, remembering how squiffy you were that night. We walked around the garden together, in the moonlight, as I had contrived to have a private conversation with you about my relationship with Julie. I put my arm around you and you didn’t seem to mind. I shouldn’t have – you were very drunk. But then, it was worth it. I still remember the warmth of your sweet, sweet body close to mine.

You shake your head. ‘I have no recollection of saying that.’ You take another sip of mineral water. Another purse of your generous lips. You put the glass on the table and sigh. ‘But it’s true. I would have loved to have a close friendship with a warm mother-in-law. My relationship with Caprice is not what I envisaged.’ Your eyes hold mine. ‘I have plenty of room in my heart for love.’

My chest tightens. ‘I know you do.’

The waitress arrives with our food. A colourful vegan concoction for you and rare calf’s liver, so undercooked that blood oozes across the plate, for me. You glance at the blood and your eyes narrow again.

When you have stopped wincing at my food, I continue. ‘We are both minimised by Caprice. A very poor second to her favourite: Miles.’

You pick up your fork and push lentils and vegetables around, like a cat toying with them, not ready to eat yet. ‘I know she dotes on him, but I have always been under the impression she also dotes on you.’ You sit staring at me, fork in the air.

‘No. No,’ I reply. ‘She makes me feel excluded too.’

A slight grimace. A shake of your head. ‘You’re right. I was telling a white lie to try to protect you. The truth is, Caprice’s world centres around Miles. No one else matches him. No one else is good enough. It’s a sadness we both have to face.’

6

Caprice