Thankfully, her ex-husband chose not to pursue the subject and instead turned to Joanna. ‘Am I to understand that you’re planning to spend the remaining months of your pregnancy in Padsworth?’ he enquired coolly, and Joanna put both hands on the small of her back in an effort to relieve the ache in her spine.
She looked tired, thought Matt, realising that she probably spent a considerable part of the day on her feet. But he was fairly sure she wouldn’t welcome any sympathy.
‘Possibly,’ she said, not wanting to admit it, and David chose that moment to intervene again.
‘You have no part in this, Novak. Why don’t you take the hint and get lost?’
Matt ignored him, and Joanna was grateful. Her ex-husband could be dangerous when crossed, and she wished David would just keep his opinions to himself. It was hard enough dealing with Matt, knowing how he felt about her, without having to cope with the other man’s well-meant interference as well.
Matt had evidently come to the same conclusion. ‘I think we need to talk. Privately,’ he said, echoing her sentiments.
‘We can go to my hotel, if you like, or there’s a coffee bar a couple of blocks down the street that looks okay.’
‘All right,’ she said, avoiding David’s outraged expression. ‘I’ll get my coat.’
‘You don’t have to go with him,’ Bellamy began, following her into the office, and she shook her head.
‘It’s better this way,’ she said, slipping her arms into the sleeves of her heather-coloured tweed duster. ‘And actually, I was thinking of leaving early today. It’s such a horrible afternoon, I doubt anyone else is going to turn up.’
David looked sulky. ‘I wanted to tell you about my lunch with Theo Konstantinos,’ he protested, but Joanna could only shake her head.
‘I’ll hear all about it in the morning,’ she promised, wrapping her coat about her. ‘See you tomorrow.’
* * *
A sleek black chauffeur-driven limousine was idling at the kerb outside, clearly in breach of the No Parking zone that operated outside the gallery.
But Joanna had no desire to get into a car with Matt.
‘It’s just a few yards to the café,’ she said, starting along the pavement. ‘If that’s your driver, I’d advise him to move on. The police are pretty vigilant around here.’
Matt scowled. She was probably right, of course, but it was a bloody awful afternoon. He was used to sunshine, to temperatures in the eighties. Even walking maybe a quarter mile in this downpour seemed crazy.
But abandoning any alterative, he stopped at the car and told his driver he’d call him when he wanted picking up. Then he strode after Joanna, amazed that she was still wearing high heels despite her condition.
The coffee shop was crowded. Joanna guessed that a lot of its customers had come inside to shelter from the rain. In consequence, the only seats available were at the counter, tall stools that she had great difficulty in climbing onto at present.
Matt regarded her doubtfully. ‘Do you need a hand?’ he asked, and she gave him an old-fashioned look.
‘I’m pregnant, Matt. Not senile. It’s better than standing, believe me.’
He did believe her. He wouldn’t have been able to stand in those heels. Sliding onto the stool beside her, he steadied himself with his hand on the counter, and his arm inadvertently brushed against her bump. Through the folds of her coat, her belly felt firmer than he’d imagined; solid. Somehow, he’d expected it to be soft and pliable, but it wasn’t.
He realised he wanted to touch her again, to possibly feel a kick from the little person growing inside her. Dear God, it was his child. That reality put everything else into raw perspective.
Matt ordered a coffee for himself, but Joanna said she would just have a diet soda. ‘Do you want a muffin with that?’ he asked, and she gave a reluctant smile.
‘Don’t you think I look fat enough?’ she countered humorously. ‘No, the soda is fine for me. But if you’re hungry—’
‘I’m not.’ Matt wondered if he’d ever feel hungry again.
‘And you’re not fat,’ he assured her. ‘Just—pregnant, that’s all.’
And how incredible was that? Dear God, it was going to take time to get used to the idea.
Meanwhile, Joanna was wondering if he was as nervous as she was. But, no. Matt Novak didn’t do ‘nervous’. Not in her experience anyway. But his lean face did look a little paler than it had done when he’d first walked into the gallery, and she guessed he hadn’t really believed that she was pregnant until then.
Deciding to take the initiative, she said, ‘So what did Sophie say to bring you to London?’
Matt arched a rueful brow as the waiter brought their drinks. ‘Oh, she asked me if I knew if you were getting married again.’
‘Married?’ Joanna looked puzzled and Matt was relieved.
‘I guess it was the only way she knew to get my interest,’ he said drily. ‘She couldn’t be sure I’d do anything about it, but she took that chance.’
Joanna nodded. ‘Knowing what a control freak you are, I suppose she knew you’d resent me doing anything without your knowledge,’ she remarked, pulling her soda towards her.
‘I’ll ignore that and just say, I was concerned about you,’ he retorted. ‘And I have to admit, the thought that you might be marrying Bellamy wasn’t a good one.’
Joanna sighed. If only he knew. Changing the subject a little, she said, ‘Did Sophie know we’d slept together?’
‘Not initially, no.’
‘But you told her?’
‘She asked,’ said Matt flatly, sprinkling sugar into his coffee.
‘But she didn’t tell you I was pregnant?’
‘No. As I say, Sophie is discreet. Or she can be in certain circumstances.’
‘So your mother doesn’t know you’ve come to England?’
‘Need you ask?’ Matt took a mouthful of his coffee, wiping his lip with the back of his hand. ‘What with my father demanding so much attention, she hasn’t had the time to check up on me.’
‘Oh, God, Oliver, yes.’ Joanna was ashamed she hadn’t asked about his father before. ‘How is he? I’ve thought about him a lot since you told me about his stroke. Has he made a good recovery?’
‘He’ll get there if he stops arguing with the physios,’ replied Matt, pulling a wry face. ‘He’s accepted that he won’t be fit enough to work again, but he can be a pretty difficult patient at times. He’ll never recover the use of his left arm, unfortunately, but, as we keep telling him, that’s a small price to pay for his being alive.’
Joanna nodded. ‘If—when—you see him again, give him my best, won’t you?’
‘I will.’ Then, after a moment, ‘So, how have you been?’
‘Not too bad.’ Joanna sipped her soda. ‘I had some morning sickness to start with, but that’s normal. And during the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling pretty tired by the end of the day. But that’s normal, too. I’m usually in bed by ten.’
Realising she was chattering, Joanna bit her tongue. Matt wasn’t interested in the everyday details of each trimester. He’d meant how was she feeling now? But his response was typical.
‘You