“I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

“Oh yes! Daddy, stay for dinner!” It was Olivia. She had a red cape tied around her shoulders and a toy stethoscope around her neck. She clung to Nick’s arm. Alice was jealous she was allowed to touch him so freely.

“I think I’d better go,” said Nick.

“Please stay,” said Alice. “We’re having hamburgers.”

“Yes! See, Mummy wants you to stay.” Olivia was doing a tap dance of delight back and forth across the veranda. She yelled, “Tom! Guess what? Dad’s staying for dinner!”

“Jesus, Alice,” said Nick under his breath, and this time he looked her properly in the eyes.

“I opened some really nice wine for us,” said Alice, and smiled at him.

She didn’t need lipstick to get her husband back.

Chapter 20

Nick didn’t seem to know what to do with himself when he came inside. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts and wandered around the living room, stopping and looking at things, as if he were in somebody else’s home.

“You got the pool under control?” he asked, and jutted his chin toward the backyard.

Alice stood in the kitchen, pouring them both a glass of wine. She had no idea what he was talking about. How do you get a pool under control?

“The pool has been very calm,” she said. “Very serene. I think I must have it on a tight leash.”

Nick turned back from the windows and looked at her sharply.

“Good,” he said.

Alice walked out of the kitchen and handed him a glass of wine. She noticed that he took it from her carefully, so that their hands didn’t touch. “Thanks,” he said. She kept standing in front of him and he backed away again as if she were contagious.

Tom was wandering around the kitchen, opening cupboard doors. He stood in front of the fridge, swinging the door back and forth.

“What can I eat, Mum?” he said.

Alice looked around vaguely for her mother.

“Mum,” said Tom.

Alice jumped. She was the mum.

“Well,” she said, trying to sound cheery and loving. “What do you feel like? Maybe a sandwich?”

“You can wait till dinner, Tom,” said Nick.

Oh, so that had been the correct response.

“Yes,” she said. She put on a similar voice to Nick’s. “Your father is right.” Then she giggled. She couldn’t help it. She gave Nick a mischievous look. Didn’t he find it funny, too? The two of them being the mum and the dad?

Nick just looked back at her nervously. She saw his eyes dart involuntarily to her glass of wine. Did he think she was drunk?

The little boy slammed the fridge door so hard it rattled, and said, “I think if I don’t eat soon, I might get malnourished. Look. My stomach is sticking out like a starving person. See?” He thrust out his stomach.

Alice laughed. Nick said sharply, “Stop being silly. Go and get changed out of those wet clothes.” Yes, well, it probably wasn’t the best idea to encourage your children to laugh at the plight of the starving.

The littlest child appeared. Olivia. She had smeared her lips with brightred lipstick. It had got on her teeth. Was that allowed? Alice looked over at Nick for guidance, but he was standing at the back door and looking out at the pool. “The color looks a bit green to me,” he said. “When was the last time you had the guy around?”

“Okay, Mummy, I’m ready now to be your nurse. Sit down and I’ll take your temperature.” Olivia grabbed her by the hand. Charmed by the feel of her small, warm palm, Alice let herself be led over to the sofa.

“Lie down, there’s a dear,” said Olivia.

Alice lay down and Olivia stuck a toy thermometer in her mouth. She stroked back Alice’s hair from her forehead and said, “Now I will listen to your heart, patient.” She plugged the stethoscope to her ears and pressed the other end against Alice’s chest. She frowned professionally. Alice tried not to laugh. This kid was adorable.

“Okay, patient, your heart is beating,” she said.

“Phew,” said Alice.

Olivia removed the thermometer and looked at it. Her mouth dropped. “You have a terrible fever, patient! You’re burning up!”

“Oh no! What should I do?”

“You should watch me do a cartwheel. That will cure you.”

Olivia did a perfect cartwheel. Alice applauded and Olivia bowed. She went to do another one.

“Not in the house, Olivia!” snapped Nick. “You know that!”

Olivia stuck her bottom lip out. “Please, Daddy, please. Just one more.”

“Should she be wearing your lipstick like that?” asked Nick.

“Oh, well,” said Alice, “I’m not exactly sure.”

“Let your mother get dinner started.” Nick had the same exhausted, defeated look as Elisabeth had the night before. Everyone was so tired and cranky in 2008.

“Sorry, darling Daddy.” Olivia threw her arms around Nick’s legs.

“Go and get changed out of your swimming costume,” said Nick. Olivia danced off, swirling her red cape around her.

They were alone.

“By the way, I didn’t get all of Olivia’s homework done,” said Nick. He sounded defensive, like he was confessing something.

“You mean you do Olivia’s homework for her?” asked Alice.

“Of course not! Jesus. You really do think I’m incompetent, don’t you.”