Roses Are Red - Miranda Rijks Page 0,73

concern, worried that I’ve overslept. But I haven’t. It’s just before six a.m. Why has he got up so early? I’m annoyed to be woken and am dozing when he comes back into the room.

‘Wake up, sleepyhead.’

I force my eyelids open. He is standing at the bottom of the bed, holding a massive bunch of red roses and a balloon.

‘What?’ I’m still groggy with sleep.

‘Happy birthday! Have you forgotten?’ He laughs.

I flop back onto the pillow. ‘Yes! And I’m quite happy not to be reminded that I’m another year older.’

‘Spoilsport,’ he says, laying the bouquet on top of the chest of drawers. He bounces onto the bed, almost squashing me. ‘Here!’ He holds out a very small box wrapped in gold paper and tied with a gold bow.

‘Thank you,’ I say, shifting myself up in bed. I unwrap the paper and carefully open the box. Inside is a stunning pair of emerald-cut earrings, in a simple rectangular design to match my engagement ring. They are tasteful and beautiful. I take them out of the box.

‘Put them on,’ he says as I lean back into the crook of his arm. I do as I’m told.

‘You are the most beautiful woman, Mrs Grant,’ he says, running his fingers down my neck. And then my alarm clock goes off and I freeze.

‘I’ve got to get up,’ I say, gently easing myself away from him.

He groans. ‘Guess I’ll have to wait until tonight, then. You’ll need to wear a dress. We’re going out.’

When the children come downstairs, it’s evident they haven’t remembered it’s my birthday. I can’t help but think of Adam. He used to make sure they both made me a birthday card. I remind myself that I don’t miss him, that I’m much happier with Patrick.

‘Why have you got a balloon?’ Oliver asks.

‘It’s your mother’s birthday. Didn’t you remember?’ Patrick frowns.

Oliver jumps off the chair and rushes over to embrace me. ‘I’m sorry, Mum. Happy birthday.’

‘It’s fine,’ I say, even though I can’t shake the feeling of sadness.

At work, my day gets worse. I receive a letter from BUYIT TV informing us that we are being dropped from the vendor list, and we will no longer be able to present our products on their channel. I’m not surprised, but I’m still upset. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t screwed up a week ago, we would still have the important revenue stream. Or perhaps it was Ajay, trying to undermine me? Either way, it’s a disaster. Now I will need to contact all the other TV shopping channels and see if anyone else will give us a go. I’m not hopeful, because they will know that we have had a longstanding relationship with their competitor. After staring at the letter for many long minutes, I make a decision. I need to talk to Ajay. We must sort things out. I can’t stand this stalemate, not knowing where he is or what he’s doing.

I call his mobile. The phone rings, and then it eventually goes to voicemail.

‘Ajay, we need to talk. Please, can you call me?’

I wait all day, but he doesn’t.

The last thing I feel like doing is going to a fancy restaurant to celebrate my birthday, but it seems that I have no choice. Mia comes into the bedroom as I’m getting changed, undecided what to wear.

‘You’re looking smart,’ I say, noting her short black velvet dress.

‘Patrick wants me to choose what you’re going to wear tonight.’

‘You!’ I say with surprise.

She scowls.

‘Are we all going out?’

‘Yes,’ she says as she marches into my dressing room.

‘Wear this.’ She holds up a sleeveless red satin dress that I haven’t worn in two years.

‘It’s very dressy,’ I say. ‘I’m not even sure it fits.’

‘You look good in it. It’ll be fine.’ She speaks with the certainty of youth.

I do as I’m told.

As I am walking down the stairs, the doorbell rings.

‘It’s the taxi,’ Patrick says. He is wearing a smart navy suit with slim-fitting trousers and a red tie. After locking up the house, I follow him and the children to the taxi.

‘Where are we going?’ I ask.

‘You’ll have to wait and see,’ Patrick says. Oliver giggles. Twenty minutes later we pull up in front of one of the most upmarket hotels in Sussex, with an acclaimed three rosette restaurant. I hope the children will be able to eat the food. Despite my exhaustion, I chastise myself. I will enjoy the evening. I’m here with my family, the three people in the world whom