Andreas set out the plates quickly as he now had a general knowledge of where the kitchen items were located and Laelia dished the omelettes and brought the coffee and rooibos tea latte to the table. They were seated and Joan as always said let’s say grace, Laelia looked at Joan then at Andreas, and then she reached for his hand as Joan has always insisted on holding hands while they said grace, as their fingers touched a knot of heat formed in her abdomen and her fingers felt tingly like little sparks were passing over her skin the whole time he held her hand, as Joan finished the prayer Andreas was reluctant to let go of Laelia’s hand but he did so grudgingly and looked into her blushing face, hmm she can allow me to see her most intimately sensual moment without so much as a blush but holding my hand causes the colour to rise in her pale face, this woman is something else.

Turning back to the table he said quick thanks and took a bite of his omelette, mmm delicious he murmured after he swallowed the first bite, I could get used to this.

They finished their meal Joan dished some Malva and added vanilla ice cream it was amazing the best malva she had ever tasted and so they made general conversation about the practice and what there was to see in and around Johannesburg but there wasn’t much to focus on as they progressed through the desert then her ears caught onto the word widower her head shot up and she looked at Andreas.

As they ate Joan asked some questions and told Andreas about the few attractions and sightseeing places he could go, but he didn’t seem to care much for going to look at the sights he mostly nodded and made small noises of accent, then Joan dropped a whopper.

So Andreas is there a Mrs Papadopoulos or a girlfriend you’ll be bringing in from Greece once your house is finished I’m asking because I don’t see a ring on that finger of yours. Joan asked with no preamble. She never did beat around the bush much.

No, I am a widower, my wife passed away recently.

Joan dropped her fork and she looked remorseful for the way she had just invaded his privacy and asked such an insensitive question without thinking. I’m sorry Andreas I didn’t know, no one from the agency you bought the practice through said anything.

Laelia was at a loss, she was a widow herself and he was a kindred spirit, I wonder how his wife died but I am too scared to ask.

As if he heard the question telepathically he told them softly, Alessia died during childbirth 6 months ago it was a stillbirth after a drunken sports car driver hit the passenger side where she was sitting.

I’m so sorry Andreas, I didn’t mean to pry I had no idea. Joan was having trouble with the fact that she had just caused him pain.

It’s fine, I’m fine Joan. He said solemnly

He got up and walked out; no longer able to stay in the room he just needed some air.

Walking out into the afternoon sun felt good it was a beautiful day and there was not a single cloud in the sky a perfect Sunday to relax or do something fun, he didn’t feel like doing anything fun right now he went to stand by the immense fountain with its statue of people in various erotic positions and stared at the koi fish in the fountains pool, he didn’t want to think he just wanted to forget the pain of the last 6 months.

Laelia had followed him out and was standing a few steps away from him, I’m sorry Andreas I know it must be hard I’m sure you have gone through a lot of pain in the last few months but it will get better you will see just give it time, time heals all wounds, yes it leaves scars but scars are there to show that you have lived.

He wasn’t thinking straight right now and he was hurting so much he just wanted to lash out even a little and share the pain, she touched his shoulder and he turned around looking into her face he said.

You’re too broken to find love again just like me isn’t that why you are carrying a dead man’s child?

He regretted his words the moment they left his lips, he saw the pain and anguish they caused her but he couldn’t think of a way to unsay them or fix what he had just broken.

She just stood there with her mouth agape in disbelief, then she slapped him so hard her hand was burning she turned and walked away, moments later he saw her SUV drive off.

What the hell is wrong with me, why did I have to hurt her now when we just started to get along?