Page 87 of Guilty Pleasures

‘Well I’m so pleased you’re back over in England and working for Saul’s old company. My goodness, Emma impressed me.’

Stella smiled. ‘She’s very good.’

‘Yes, Chessie’s youngest sister Amy is doing terribly well too. She’s an architect, and she’s just been taken on by Norman Foster’s firm.’

Stella found herself getting upset again as Christopher told them about Amy’s sky-rocketing architectural career; he barely mentioned her own achievements at Milford.

‘Anyway, we have some wonderful news,’ said Christopher after the waitress appeared with some green tea. Stella looked up sceptically.

‘Chessie is pregnant,’ he said, beaming. ‘It’s very early days. Chessie didn’t want to tell anybody til twelve weeks but we had to tell someone.’

Johnny reached across the table and put his hand over Chessie’s.

‘I’m so happy for you both. Mr Chase, that really is wonderful news.’

‘Well, it is at my age,’ he chuckled. ‘It turns out I can still do something after all.’

‘Yes, congratulations to you both,’ smiled Stella, willing herself to be happy.

‘Me, a mother,’ laughed Chessie. ‘I guess we’d better get the mini-breaks in while I still look good in a bikini.’

‘Well, make sure you’re around the third week in September,’ said Stella. ‘It’s the Milford launch party, during London Fashion Week.’

‘It’s my birthday then,’ said Chessie mournfully.

‘What? All week?’ said Stella, unable to hold it in.

‘We were planning on going away,’ replied Christopher with a note of reproach.

‘You have a lot of holidays,’ said Stella trying to sound light-hearted.

‘I’m just enjoying my retirement,’ said Christopher. ‘And with the baby on the way, I think we need a bit of fun while we still can.’

‘But you will try and come?’ pressed Stella.

‘We’ll certainly try,’ smiled her father.

Chessie’s slim white hand went proprietorially over her husband’s.

‘Or maybe we can pop down to the shop next time we’re in London,’ she said. ‘If there’s anything I fancy do you do family rates on the handbags?’

Stella managed to remain composed while Christopher paid the bill. He looked forgetful as he searched every pocket trying to find his wallet and Stella felt a simultaneous pang of sadness and anger.

‘We’re staying at the hotel tonight,’ he said when they’d finally paid up.

‘Why don’t you stay in the Bayswater flat?’ asked Stella. ‘I thought that’s what it was there for.’

‘I don’t come up to London very often,’ said her father, seeming to ignore the disapproval in her voice. ‘Chessie wanted it to be a treat.’

‘Of course,’ said Stella thinly, trying hard to keep the smile on her face. They all rose and Christopher kissed his daughter on the cheek. They moved into the hotel lobby, where Stella and Johnny congratulated them once again on the news about the baby and they turned away to go to their room. Suddenly Stella felt herself well up with tears she could no longer contain. She covered her face and sobbed into her hands.

‘Stella! What the hell’s the matter?’ asked Johnny, looking around to make sure no one was watching them.

‘Nothing.’

‘Of course there’s something the matter. Tell me.’

He pulled her into a quiet corner of the lobby, sitting her down on a chair.