The Change

Proserpina

We flew out of the US in a week’s time.

The children had been subdued, not really understanding what was happening. I sat them down and explained that I needed to work for a while in Japan. That it was important for me. Ria interrupted me, her lower lip thrust out and quivering, her little face hot and pink. ‘Why can't you work from here? Like you used to?’ And then, her eyes glittering as the tears spilt, she went on, on a half sob, “I want my Pappa.’ Piers was almost in tears too. I sighed and stood up, reaching for Claude who took it upon himself to begin wailing at that moment.

The maids stood by, guarded and expressionless while Sandy watched from a corner, her arms folded. I could feel the censure in the air. “Was I wrong in wanting to live my life?’ I thought angrily. *** It was Lucien who came to my rescue.

He spent all afternoon and the evenings at the house, with the children. His eyes had a hollow look in them, a bleakness that bothered me. He gathered Ria in