45. Lucien Delano

Proserpina

Lucien was away for more than three and a half months.

*

I missed him, the nights were long without his rough hands sliding over me, squeezing, probing, and awakening a need in me that I had not known ever existed before he stormed into my life. I lay, wrapped in the sheets, staring out as the night faded, giving way to grey dawn before dozing off fitfully. It was only the yoga regime I followed which kept me fit.

And sane.

I slept in the afternoons, along with my twins, swam with them, played with them and avoided being anywhere near the part of the house where his men frequently turned up.

Daniella had started to frequent our house along with Grace, her wife. Grace was a kindergarten school teacher and she told me that they were planning to adopt a child. It felt relaxing to chat with her. Plump and dark-skinned, with tight black curls, she was beautiful with her tapering black eyes and wide, full-lipped mouth.

She was fun and the children, in particular, looked forward t