The Model Wife
Page 38
‘He’s all right,’ Thea conceded with a grudging pride. ‘I’m his godmother.’
There was a pause. Poppy turned to the man. ‘Sorry, I’m Poppy. My ex-husband used to work with Thea.’
‘Yes, I know him a little. We did some work together in Guatemala. I’m Jake.’
‘Hi.’ A beat. ‘So are you still at the Seven Thirty News?’ she said to Thea.
‘I am. Just been promoted to programme editor.’ Thea looked over her shoulder, as if the slightly tatty urban street might be bugged. ‘Though I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying.’
‘Have you got another job lined up?’
Thea smiled and shrugged. ‘No. But I’m beginning to think it might be time for a change. Jake’s going to head up a charity operation in Brazil and I’m wondering about going with him. Doing some freelancing out there. I used to have some financial obligations you see, but now I don’t and—’
Clara pulled at Poppy’s hand. ‘Mummee. Want my CBeebies. And Angelina.’
‘Clara, don’t be rude. Mummy’s talking.’
‘It’s OK,’ Thea said. ‘We need to keep moving or this one will kick off.’
Poppy shifted awkwardly from foot to foot. ‘Well, nice to see you, Thea. Good luck with it all.’ She thought about saying keep in touch but that would have been ludicrous.
‘Thanks,’ Thea said. ‘And the same to you.’ She and Jake carried on pushing the buggy down the suddenly sunlit street. Poppy watched them for a second then, as Clara tugged impatiently on her arm, she headed off in the opposite direction.