Mollified Debbie took her seat at the table and waited.
Ethan couldn't help but notice her heightened colour and ragged breathing, the pulse rapidly beating at the base of her throat. 'Not hungry?'
'Very…I just wasn't sure…yesterday? Darlene….'
'Help yourself, there on the sideboard.'
'Good oh!'
The smile exploded on her face banishing the frown but not, Ethan noticed, the blue shadows under her eyes. Maybe the nightmare he disturbed hadn't been the first one.
'I'll drive myself in today Darlene so David can be at your disposal again. Take it easy today… Debbie, OK? Yesterday probably took more out of you than you think. Perhaps you might consider an afternoon nap, to make up for-' Ethan caught himself up when he realised what he was about to disclose. '-you're looking tired.' With that Ethan folded the Financial Times under his arm, sculled the rest of his coffee, snagged another croissant and dragged his rampant libido towards the door and safety.
'I'll be home the usual time Darlene. Don't work too hard.'
Darlene's disparaging snort followed him out the door.
'What doesn't Ethan want, Darlene?'
'It's his birthday soon, dear and every year I raise the possibility of a party and every year he knocks it on the head. Every year that is since Miss High Society left.'
'Chloe's mum?'
'You're quick. Hanna Sutherland.'
The derisive tone was unmistakable but the name meant nothing to Debbie.
'Of the Wollstonecraft Sutherlands?... No?'
''Afraid not? How long ago did she leave?'
'Practically with the cutting of the umbilical cord.'
'Oh that's awful! Didn't she want kids?'
'At 20, who would?'
Darlene obviously hadn't warmed to Ethan's young wife. While mindful of the risk that Chloe could walk in she gave Debbie the bare bones of the failed marriage. Ever loyal to Ethan she laid the blame fair and square on the shoulders of his flighty ex-wife.
Debbie couldn't imagine being married and falling pregnant so young.
'I take it the pregnancy was unplanned.'
'You could say that. Ethan is an honourable man.'
So that somewhat explained the marriage and the absent mum.
Debbie didn't think she could leave her own child but then maybe she had. Maybe somewhere there was a husband and daughter just like Chloe.
Darlene broke off the conversation as Chloe came bounding into the room.
'Hello….'
'Debbie.'
'Debbie? Sarah's older brother has a video called that. Debbie does…Dancing? He wouldn't let us look at it. Dunno why? Can I have an egg and soldiers, Darlin'?'