A Sudden Change of Heart by Barbara Taylor Bradford Read Free Book Online Page B

baby?” Claire asked, looking at Laura intently.
    “Yes, I do, I’ve always wanted a child. But I’m only thirty-one, so there’s time. It’s not as if I’m ancient, on my last legs.”
    “Perhaps Doug’s just too uptight about this, Laura,” Claire suggested quietly, her face reflective. “That often happens. A couple don’t make a baby, and they get overanxious, and that works against them.”
    “I’m not overanxious.”
    “No, but perhaps Doug is, darling.”
    “Maybe he is. He’s certainly high strung these days.”
    “He’s going to have to learn to relax.”
    Laura laughed. “Tell that to the marines.
Relax.
My God, he’s a bundle of nerves, and always on the go, rushing hither and yon, as Grandma Megan says. She told me recently that Doug doesn’t stay still long enough to make a baby.”
    Claire burst out laughing. “Good old Grandma Megan!I must admit, I do miss her pithiness, and her forthrightness. She comes out with some marvelous lines.”
    “She told me the other day that her great age gives her license to say anything she wants. And to anybody too.”
    “Old people are a bit like that. I guess they get to the stage where they don’t care anymore. And their bluntness can be amusing.” She punched Laura’s arm lightly. “Hey, do you remember what we used to say when we were growing up? That when we were old ladies and had finished with men and all that nonsense, we’d live together on the French Riviera and sit on the beach wearing large picture hats and caftans, having our toenails painted purple by beautiful young gigolos.”
    Laura nodded, her face lighting up. “Sure I do; we were a fanciful pair in those days.”
    “We might still do it, you know,” Claire said, grinning. “When we’re old enough.” She took a sip of her gin martini and said, “I can’t wait for you to see Natasha. I told you, she’s sprouted lately, and since you saw her in the summer her face has changed. She’s sleeker-looking, has lost some of the baby fat, and it helps. She’s just become very, very pretty.”
    “Like mother like daughter.”
    Claire merely smiled. “She’s a very special child, Laura, even though she’s mine and I shouldn’t say it. Nonetheless, she
is
special, sort of … well,
magical.”
    “You may have lived on a battlefield, but you got something out of it after all, didn’t you now?”
    “Yes, I certainly did. Natasha has made it all worthwhile … the spoils of war are veritable spoils indeed. She’s a jewel, and I love her dearly.” Claire’s voice changed, became extremely tender as she continued. “Idon’t know what it’s all about, this world we live in, this life of mine, but whatever it’s about, my child has given my life whatever meaning it has. And she’s the best part of me. I thank God every day that I had her, and that I have her with me. She’s very caring of me in a funny sort of way. Sometimes she behaves like the mother, treats me as if I’m the child.”
    “I’ve always thought she was an old soul,” Laura murmured, and then ventured softly, “Does her father ever see her?”
    “No.” Claire shook her head and grimaced. “Well, not very often. She doesn’t care anymore. She used to, of course, but she’s adjusted now.” A small sigh escaped, and Claire added, “But I can’t fault him on the money. His checks come every month, and he’s never missed a payment.”
    “I always thought he loved her,” Laura murmured, and stopped abruptly when she saw Claire’s expression.
    “Mmmm.” Claire twisted her martini glass by its delicate stem, the reflective look in place in her green eyes again. She gazed into her drink.
    Laura decided not to say anything else about Natasha’s father and his feelings for their child. It had always been a sore subject with Claire.
    A moment later, the room service waiter materialized at the door. Laura went to let him in, and clearing her throat lightly, remarked, “Here’s our dinner, Claire.