Eva

The dawn light seeped in under the door. The fan made a gentle buzzing and the soft air caressed her naked skin. Sleepily, she turned her head to look at her lover, wondering if she could make love to him without properly waking him up. He was lying on his back, his eyes wide open. She traced his chest with a finger, waiting for him to turn to her, but he didn’t seem to be aware of her scrutiny. At once she felt cold. There was something unnatural about the way he lay there like a corpse.

She’d noticed that he’d been unusually preoccupied for the last couple of days, but had stopped probing as he seemed unable to articulate any specific worry or concern. This inwardness was a side to his character she’d not yet experienced. Was it her; was she lacking in some way? Was it her confession of the other day? She knew that he’d never lasted very long in relationships: perhaps this cooling was a pattern in his life. He’d fall madly in love, ride high on the feeling for a few months and then, as familiarity set in, begin to lose interest. The thought made her heart ache, surely…surely…he wasn’t that fickle. Surely he’d not been lying when he’d told her she was the only woman he’d ever truly loved. Surely he couldn’t hold against her that there had been other men in her life.

Gently she put her hand on his cheek. ‘Sebastian.’

She felt colder still when she saw no response. Suddenly he flinched and turned to her.

‘Where were you?’ she said, her voice breathless.

‘At work,’ he said and smiled. It was not his usual unbridled smile and he didn’t move to embrace her.

‘Are you worried about something?’

‘Am I worried about something?’ he repeated slowly. For a moment she thought he was about to speak. His mouth opened, then closed. He chewed his lip and rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers.

‘Tell me, please? Let’s talk.’

‘What about? I’ve got nothing to say right now.’

‘You never told me what happened the day before yesterday.’

His brow furrowed. ‘The day before yesterday?’

She sighed. ‘Yes, when you stormed down to confront Montegriffo. In fact, I don’t think you’ve said a word to either me or Mimi since.’

‘Nothing happened.’

‘So what did you guys talk about? I mean, after you realised Mimi wasn’t there? Did you have it out about his stunt in Inces Hall?’

‘No, that’s water under the bridge.’

‘So, is it the works holdup? Please,’ she pleaded, ‘tell me what is bothering you.’

‘Only I can deal with it.’ He got out of bed and pulled on his shorts. ‘I better get to it.’

Even when he was short of words, his love had always enveloped her like a warm cloud. She had come to take it for granted and felt acutely the chill of his withdrawal.