Thirty Something (Nothing's How We Dreamed It Would Be) by Filipa Fonseca Silva

Author:Filipa Fonseca Silva [Silva, Filipa Fonseca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 30something, novel about relationships
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

And that’s that. The only interesting topic that’s come up so far dies amid toasts and idle prattle. Maria looks at me and shrugs. I’m not sure whether she shares my frustration at not being able to have a proper conversation for more than ten minutes at a time and feeling a stranger amongst people we’ve known for years, or whether it’s just to make me feel better. Am I the only one who thinks this dinner’s a drag?

Joana

And now for the pièce de résistance, petit gateaux with vanilla ice cream and a coulis of wild berries. The pastry was prepared in advance but I have to put them in the oven at the right time to make sure they’re creamy inside. When I go into the kitchen to get things ready, the women come after me, carrying plates and dishes. Eduardo comes too as I’d promised to show him how to remove the petit gateaux from their moulds without them falling apart, but there are too many people in the kitchen now for my liking. I need space and tranquillity. Maria, who knows what I’m like, sees I’m not comfortable and takes Lu back with her to the dining room. After putting the plates in the dishwasher, Kati returns to the table as well.

I’ll take this moment alone with Eduardo to find out how his thing with Nuno began. I certainly don't want to ask Maria this type of question, and Nuno isn't one to talk too much about himself. And with me of all people, he’d simply tell me to mind my own business. I don't think I run that risk with Eduardo. He’s too well mannered to say something like that. But first I’ll teach him my technique for removing the cakes from their moulds. A certain complicity arises when you cook with someone. Sharing a recipe or a trick or a tip is like sharing a secret. At least it is between people who like to cook, as we do. I know it will make him lower his guard and give me the answers I want without considering me nosy.

“So how did you meet Nuno?” I ask promptly while I still have the courage.

“At a meeting at work. He came to present a design at my office and there was this chemistry between us right away.”

“Really? What sort of chemistry? He was living with Maria at the time, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, but he only told me that a lot later,” he answers. “At the time I just wanted him to come and have lunch with me, which didn’t take long to happen. I thought he was single and it never occurred to me he might be living with a woman. I found it strange that he never invited me to his house, but I thought it was out of reserve, because he wanted to preserve his privacy.”

“The cheek of it!’ I exclaim, indignantly. ‘So he was two-timing the pair of you for ages!”

“Yes, more or less. When he finally told me, I broke up with him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.