Authors: EMME CROSS
In the back yard the landscape crew had spent the morning trimming and pruning and stringing lights in the trees and bushes. The timers were set to coincide with dusk, ensuring the rosy glow from the lingering marathon of an Oslo sunset would be complemented by twinkling lights and spots, the shadows of trees backlit against shrubs and fences.
* * *
“I knew I’d find you in the kitchen!”
Sunny turned to see Renee with her arms outstretched ready for a hug.
“And barefoot. And in dire need of a pedicure. And, oh my God, pregnant! Is this the surprise you were talking about?”
Sunny put the oven mitts down on the counter with a grin. “Eight months and counting. I would have told you, but you were travelling and it’s not the kind of news I wanted to text.”
Renee leant back against the counter, her white suit hardly creased after a day of flying, her brown hair and its streaks scarcely tousled and her brown eyes shining. “You look wonderful! I’ve never seen anyone who looks so good pregnant — the whole “glowing” bit. No wonder Sven is strutting about like a proud peacock. Two children! Where is Miss Bliss anyway? I have a present.”
“Of course you do. You spoil her. Sven’s mother is giving her a bath and will join us in a few minutes. Where’s Brian?”
“He’s outside with Liam. Is he Sven’s cousin or something? They look so much alike.”
“The son of a very good friend. His mother could be Sven’s double. What can I get you?”
Sunny poured decanted wine and slipped the appetizers into the oven, as she put on ballet flats to cover her unpedicured toes. She removed her ‘Kiss the Cook’ food-splattered apron revealing a short white dress which had appliquéd sunflowers on the bodice and hem.
Jon Hardy swept her up in a hug and kissed her, exuberant as ever.
“Show us around the place,” he ordered. They moved off, glasses in hand, and Sven did the honours. They spent a lot of time up in his sanctuary, where he listened to Jon’s advice on how to overcome some of the challenges he was facing writing his screenplay. Renee and Sunny soon escaped to the Great Room, along with Bliss and Judith.
“She is spectacular. And turquoise eyes! I’ve never seen this shade. If I didn’t know you better, I’d figure you had put in coloured baby contacts.” Judith’s jaw dropped and Renee laughed. “Yes, there is such a thing and no, I don’t believe Sunny would use them on her child. This is for Bliss.”
Renee pulled out a box, letting the little girl untie the ribbon and demolish the wrappings in her excitement. Inside was a snow globe the size of a grapefruit. When shaken, it sent flakes of white cascading down over the Hollywood sign. “I thought it was a perfect symbol of your two lives. I’m glad to see you so happy together — all three of you.” She laughed as Bliss took a fistful of her necklace, not the least worried the toddler might break the chain and send the lapis lazuli beads flying.
“There’s something the matter.” Sunny had sensed her friend’s slightly jittery mood. She poured herself a tumbler of ice water and sat at the counter, prepared to give Renee her undivided attention.
“Remember Mary? You met her and her husband Adrian at our dinner party.”
Sunny squinted. She remembered the gossipy host of the television show with her toned legs and bubbly banter. Her husband was a ghost. Grey hair maybe? A goatee? He’d made little impression on her.
Renee took a sip of wine. “They’re splitting up. After almost thirty years he decided he had to ‘find himself’.” She tossed her hair and snorted. “He
found
himself in the bed of a woman less than half his age. Mary is a mess. I’m trying to help, but there’s nothing I can do but be sympathetic. Thank God their kids are grown. But,” she looked at Sunny, “I read about something called ‘contagion.’ When one couple in a social circle gets divorced, all the rest start wondering about their own relationships.”
Sunny was alarmed. “You don’t think for an instant that Jon—”
“No,” Renee responded quickly, but she continued with less certainty. “I do worry about it; I’d be crazy not to. You know how Hollywood is, especially for men, with the constant temptation. That’s why I wanted to see you and Sven. I thought being around a couple so crazy in love would kind of, I don’t know, remind us why we shouldn’t go looking for other partners.”
Sunny slipped the re-heated appetizers onto serving plates and set the timer for the lamb. “OK. Sven and I will be so ‘in love’ tonight Jon will jump you before dessert arrives.”
True to her word, she placed a kiss on the top of her husband’s head as she refilled the wine glasses and caressed his hand as he reached for a dumpling of phyllo filled with wild mushrooms. She even slipped a coconut shrimp between his lips and smiled when he moaned, “Ambrosia.”
Sunny caught him looking at her legs when the hemline of her dress edged higher as she perched on the arm of the sectional. She gave him a welcoming smile. Unconsciously, his hand dropped to her knee, brushing the smooth surface and slipping behind the joint, a favourite erotic spot, and his thumb made slow circles as he talked with Renee about their mutual friends. Sunny had to force herself to concentrate on what Jon was saying about the drought in Southern California, attempting to form words and not pant. Her public seduction was working on herself. She was flushed when she waved her guests into the conservatory to take their places at the table.
The light from the elongated chandelier was low, and its crystals sent rays of light bouncing off the walls, windows and potted palms. The candles glowed from deep sills scattered among the yellow roses jammed into a row of crystal vases that marched down the center of the table like a line of fragrant soldiers.
Liam and Brian helped her bring in the wine, pouring a South African Meritage Viognier into balloon glasses. The first course was a bisque made with langoustine harvested just off the Norwegian shore and finished with a dollop of crème fraîche. The guests inhaled and she preened.
Next, a salad of field greens with sautéed fjord trout, blueberries and toasted pine nuts with champagne dressing and a finish of fresh ground pepper.
The fresh baked potato bread was passed between them, with unsalted butter. The conversation flowed. What movie had gotten the green light and who was cast in it. Bliss’s swimming lessons. Judith asked about the couple’s other children, now grown up.
Sunny gathered up the plates and cutlery with an insouciance gained helping out in Philippe’s restaurant. The lamb had been resting during the salad course and the plates warming so it was easy to arrange the entree. Sunny dressed the fresh-picked baby beets with a splash of balsamic vinegar, spooned dollops of goat cheese, scalloped potatoes into metal rounds and propped the herb-encrusted French lamb chops up into a tepee. On the side, she served a variation on Philippe’s famous lamb jus, made with red wine reduction and lingonberries. His recipe had been one of her favourite wedding gifts.
As she entered the dining room with the first four plates in hand, she flashed a smile of thanks at Sven for pouring the matching wine, a French Bordeaux. Everyone dug in, and for a moment the only sounds were that of the music wafting from the overhead speakers, the clatter of cutlery and the diners’ small sounds of appreciation.
Jon stopped chewing for a moment and tapped his crystal wine glass with his fork. “A moment of silence everyone, in homage to this lamb who died in a good cause.”
Renee looked up from her plate. “My God, Sunny. I knew you could cook but I didn’t know you were this good.”
“I don’t get much chance to cook fancy but I learnt a lot working at Savannah’s. Bon appétit!”
Having served seconds and even thirds, Sunny brought in the cheese course — baked Brie topped with figs and comté and blue cheese along with crackers and homemade croutons. There was port and Armagnac as well as a bottle of vanilla rum, St. Barts renowned digestif.
She moved around the table removing empty plates and filling glasses. Liam and Brian were arguing about a video game. Judith and Renee were discussing the latest fad of putting toddlers in mini heels. Jon was offering Sven advice on how to overcome his problem with dialogue for the screenplay.
Sunny shooed the men onto the back porch for their cigars. “Dessert when you get back,” she told the boys, whom she dispatched to Judith’s to pick up Sponge. By now, the dog would be exhausted after a day spent playing with Frigga. Judith took Bliss around for goodnight kisses and headed upstairs to put the toddler down.
“Don’t show her what?” Sunny asked, interrupting Jon and Sven as they relaxed in the peaceful backyard. “What aren’t you supposed to show me? Have I failed another fashion test?”
“This is on your head,” Sven said to Jon as the actor handed over his smart-phone. Sunny read the text. She had made some kind of Hollywood list. “Probably worst groomed,” she chuckled. “What does MILF mean?”
“Jon! You didn’t!” Renee swatted her husband.
“I thought Sven should know.”
Renee turned to Sunny with a faint blush. “MILF stands for . . .”
“Mothers I’d Like to Fuck,” answered Sven with a grin. He tried to pull his wife towards him but she scowled.
“Why on earth?”
“Because,” Jon answered, “you looked so delectable in that pink dress at the Arts Council event. Somebody posted the picture and voilà! You made the latest list.”
The two women exchanged a look and left them to their cigars and gossip. Sunny suppressed a smile as she heard Sven say, “Thanks a lot, Jon. I’ll be paying for that for a while.”
Renee perched at the counter as Sunny loaded the dishwasher and put the pots in to soak. “I’d offer to help,” she said, topping up her wine, “but I’m useless in the kitchen and I’ve had too much to drink so I’d drop something.”
Sunny grinned as she gave a final polish to the marble counter. “One of the side effects of pregnancy is that you become the driver, cleaner-up, you name it, because you have to stay sober.”
“How’s this one?” asked Renee.
“So much easier in many ways. I’m not worried about whether Sven is ready for fatherhood because he’s so happy with Bliss. He’s the one that instigated . . .” a naughty grin, “this second pregnancy. But it’s harder this time around because I’m not alone.” Renee nodded. Sunny had filled her in on Sven’s rocky road to fatherhood. “That means more responsibilities. I’ve also gained more weight this time and I’m so tired.”
“We haven’t helped, descending on you like this. You know, this isn’t just for fun. We’re mixing business with pleasure. Jon is talking to Sven about his new movie. It’s a good script and a great part. He’d love Sven to join the company.”
“I figured as much. Sven’s been looking for a chance to do more work here at home. If Jon can make that happen, I imagine he’ll sign on.”
By the time Judith was back with the baby monitor, a fire was glowing in the hearth, more candles had been lit and the aroma of coffee mingled with the roses. Cigars smoked, Armagnac sipped, the company reconvened in the Great Room.
“This is a terrific dog.” Renee’s son Brian had fallen in love with Sponge and the feeling was mutual. She wasn’t even interested in her bowl of kibble with lamb drippings. She wasn’t interested in anything but lying with her belly blushing in front of the hearth, her head on Brian’s lap. If he stopped stroking for an instant, she nudged his hand with her muzzle.
Nestled into the sectional Sunny, Judith and Renee talked about her rental villas. Sunny recounted all the compliments she’d gotten on the one Renee helped decorate.
“We wouldn’t mind a property on St. Barts. We can’t count on yours being available whenever we decide on a whim we need to luxuriate in the sun. Keep your eyes open. I like Gustavia, so someplace near yours would be great.”
“I’ll call my realtor. It would be terrific to be neighbours. By the way,” she added sotto voce, “how’d I do?”
Renee’s eyebrows rose as Sven draped an arm around his wife’s belly, rubbing the pregnancy bulge as he continued talking to Jon.
“Sven looks so happy and content and I know this isn’t an act. First of all, you can’t act. Bless you Sunny but you are the world’s worst faker. Second, I can see how pleased he is with his life. When I first met him, he was a little standoffish, shy perhaps. But he has blossomed. Even Jon says so. That’s part of the reason he wants to work with Sven. He was always impressed with his talent and looks but he’s matured so much since he’s been with you. Now, he’s a pleasure to be around. It’s funny,” Renee said sipping her coffee and staring at her friend, “you haven’t changed but he’s almost a different person. I’ve never met anyone so enhanced by love. It’s inspiring.”
Jon leaned forward. “What are you two plotting?”
“I thought we’d spend tomorrow at the hotel spa while the two of you attend to business.”
Sven grinned. “See what they can do about Sunny’s hands. They really aren’t presentable.”
He got a swat on the shoulder in response and then Judith took her leave, looking forward to a walk home to clear her head. “Bring the baby in the morning. Fatima can pick her up.”
The two boys had made plans to spend the next day together. Liam would show Brian the sights of his hometown.
The limo waited while the couples said their goodnights.
Sven turned to Liam as he flicked out the porch lights. “I texted Astrid. You’re staying here tonight. It’s too late to head home and I’m in no shape to drive you.”