Ghost of a Chance by Emma Daniels

Author:Emma Daniels
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 1409288838
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: 2009-06-24T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

The following morning Natalie slept in again. She had decided that father and daughter needed time together, and told Karl as much before heading for her room after Tania and Dieter left the previous evening. He merely shrugged in response before turning to head in the opposite direction. He hadn’t even give her a kiss good night, and Natalie felt acutely disappointed that he wanted to remain casual in front of other people, particularly after the intimacy they’d shared at the cottage that afternoon.

Perhaps Tania was right. There was a slot in his life for everything, and the little niche Natalie seemed to have been relegated to was only to be indulged upon when he had the time or the inclination.

Whether Anna was disappointed about her not joining them, she was bound to find out later in the afternoon when they returned. They were already gone when Natalie came across Barbara in the kitchen sometime after nine-thirty.

“I don’t normally sleep this late,” she said to the older woman as she slipped into the chair at the table to eat breakfast.

“You obviously needed it. Looking after all those little ones must take it out of you. I only have Anna part of the time, but that’s plenty enough for me,” she replied, bringing the jug of coffee over to pour some for Natalie.

“And the rest. Last night’s dinner must have taken you hours to prepare.”

“I enjoy cooking. It’s the child-minding that gets to me. Never having had any of my own, I think I bypassed the stage where one enjoys their company. Don’t get me wrong. I like Anna but...”

“She takes it out of you. Have you talked to Karl about it?” Natalie suggested, taking a sip of her coffee.

“I love my job and he pays more than anyone else would under the circumstances. Perhaps I should go and see a doctor. It could be menopause coming on. I’ve been so tired lately.”

“Perhaps seeing a doctor would be a good idea. Why don’t you go tomorrow seeing I’m taking Anna to work with me.”

“Perhaps I will. So what are you going to do today? Karl left the keys for the Mercedes if you want to go out anywhere.”

“I couldn’t drive his car,” she exclaimed, surprised that he would trust her with such an expensive machine. “I’ve brought a good book with me. I think I might spend it relaxing by the pool. Why don’t you join me?”

“For a while, but I do have some washing of my own to do.”

“I’ll do it for you. Today you have a rest,” Natalie insisted, and Barbara sighed of relief. It made her look properly at the older woman for the first time, realizing that she did look tired. She needed more than one day off, more like an entire week. Why couldn’t Karl see that she wasn’t well? But then he wasn’t faring much better. They both needed help, but Natalie dreaded to think what he’d say if she suggested it.

Karl and Anna returned mid-afternoon, laden down with boxes and shopping bags.

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