Read Online Aphrodite's Workshop for Reluctant Lovers by Marika Cobbold - Free Book Online

it
is
ridiculous that in the twenty-first century a grown woman of independent means should allow herself to be bullied and controlled and demeaned in her own home by the man who is supposed to be her best friend and lover, so, Dominic, I’m through with playing red rag to your bull. I’m buying a flat for me, just me.’
    And me
, Coco chirped.
    I laughed again.
    â€˜Have you lost your mind completely?’ Dominic said.
    I considered the question: it was important to be fair, to look at things from every angle and viewpoint, especially when making decisions that affected other people.
    â€˜No,’ I said finally. ‘I admit there are some signs …’ – Coco waved encouragingly – ‘… but no, I don’t think I have.’
    Dominic stood in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest.
    â€˜And how are you going to pay for this flat, may I ask?’
    â€˜Oh didn’t I tell you … Gemma’s negotiated this big – enormous actually – advance. It will be enough for a down-payment.With my share of this place and a bigger mortgage obviously it should be fine, tight but manageable.’
    â€˜You think they’re going to increase your mortgage? You don’t have a steady income. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, you know.’
    â€˜Didn’t I tell you that either? I’ve got a three-book contract. That should do it, I reckon. Now, where did I put those tea bags?’

Mount Olympus
    â€˜EROS, EROS, WHAT’S GOING on?’ Mother has been watching the screen but now she’s turning round, calling me.
    I have been minding my own business at the other end of the room, listening to some music, chilling.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Eros, take off those silly earmuff things and come over here
now.’
    I sigh but do as I am told, removing my headphones and sitting down next to her.
    â€˜Can we watch the States?’
    â€˜No, we cannot. You watch far too much North America. You’re even beginning to talk like one of them.’ She points at the screen. ‘Now
what
is going on?’
    â€˜Someone’s moving home,’ I tell her.
    â€˜I can see that. I do have eyes in my head. But can’t you see who that someone is? It’s Rebecca Finch. Why is she moving? Didn’t you get her together with what’s-his-name just the other day? Wasn’t that supposed to be the big romance, the great all-conquering love?’
    I shrug.
    â€˜Dunno. But mortals don’t need long to muck things up. What really pisses me off –’
    â€˜Don’t use that vulgar language up here, Eros. Don’t you understand the gravity of the situation?’
    What’s-his-name comes out of the front door waving his arms around and I think he’s shouting. (It’s hard to tell as Mother’s turned the sound right down. I expect she doesn’t want the others to hear.) The removal guys try to carry on as if they’re not noticing. Two of them are pushing a huge piano up the ramp to the van, while Rebecca Finch fusses around as if she’s worried they’ll damage it. She’s crying. She’s obviously trying to pretend she isn’t but she’s definitely crying. The shouting guy – I still can’t remember his name – has stopped yelling and is just standing there on the doorstep, his arms slack at his sides, watching.
    Rebecca Finch walks off towards her car.
    â€˜I can’t believe it,’ I say to Mother. ‘The woman’s driving a bloody Skoda.’
    â€˜Don’t swear. And concentrate.’
    What on? I mean nothing’s happening. What’s-his-name’s still looking gormless and Rebecca Finch just stands there by the lame car staring at the house as if she were counting each brick.
Finally
she gets into the driver’s seat and heads off, leading the way for the van.
    Mother has calmed down and is saying that, as Rebecca Finch and