Musings

Proserpina

When I came awake in the morning, I realized that Lucien had not come up to bed. Puzzled, I went looking for him but the study was deserted. Frowning, I went to the kitchen and found Beston sitting at the table, sharing a cup of tea with Camille. She leapt up to her feet, pink-cheeked but Beston rose to his height in a more leisurely fashion.

‘Ma’am.’ he murmured in greeting.

I came straight to the point.

‘Tony,’ I said, “where is my husband?’

He looked back at me, perplexed. ’The boss left for the townhouse last night.’ he said, and I quickly turned away to hide my confusion.

‘Oh yes, I remember now,’ I said lamely but I caught Beatrice's anxious eyes as she watched me. I left the room, unsure whether to be angry or just surprised.

Why had he left last night? Surely some urgent work had not come up at midnight?

I tried to call him but he did not answer the phone. To my surprise, I found that Schwartz had also left.

When he strode in towards mid-morning, he looked hassled.