The Misfortune Of Fools - A Novel

3. Tyson’s antics

She was in the kitchen making an elderflower cordial, picking through the flowers for bugs. She heard him putting the car keys on the key hooks in the hallway and taking his shoes off. She saw him in the doorway, a small rucksack by his feet.

‘More books?’

‘Not this time.’ He shook his head smiling.

‘What?’

‘You look lovely.’

‘Stop it!’ she said, embarrassed. She had tried her best to conceal her bump by wearing loose dresses but in his eyes, it made her more attractive. He came up to her, kissing her affectionately from behind. His hands slid from her waist to her swollen breasts; he cradled her protectively. He held her like that for a good while saying nothing.

‘Coffee?’ seemed to break the moment.

‘Yes please. My God,’ he said playfully, squeezing her breasts, ‘you look delicious. I think I need to play with these!’

‘Stop it!’ She tutted, secretly loving it.

‘What? Can’t a man admire his wife?’

‘Behave,’ she said, returning to her task. It was tedious. She didn’t wash the elderflowers; the pollen gave the cordial its musty taste.

‘I went to see Tyson today.’

The name ‘Tyson’ stopped her in her task. She instinctively grabbed her tummy as if to protect it. She dried her hands on the towel hanging off the cooker and faced him.

‘Why?’

‘Some work,’ Santiago said, ‘I just went to catch up with him.’

‘When?’

‘Today for lunch.’

‘Some beery pub?’

‘No, it was a really posh restaurant actually, Michelin star.’

She looked at him in disbelief. Santiago opened the fridge pretending to see if there was anything to snack on.

He hadn’t eaten, she thought.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I didn’t want to worry you. I know how you feel about him.’

She returned to her task.

He grabbed her waist pulling her towards him. But she pulled away.