Authors: Keziah Hill
Christa (5 page)
***
Christa idly fiddled with the flowers in her crystal vase, her mind a thousand miles away. Or more correctly, her mind replayed the scenes from the past couple of weeks, scenes full of her Nordic Goddess and her dark, delicious husband. Elizabeth's presence in their lives had rapidly become more than a friend with benefits. They fitted, the three of them.
More often than not Elizabeth dropped in after her work day, shared some of her life over a meal and a glass or two of wine and then stayed the night, or not, as she wanted. Christa liked that. Liked that Elizabeth was a woman she could talk to about girly stuff or the major events of the day, then fuck her brains out that night. Marc watched or joined in as the mood took him.
The biggest challenge was when she met the boys one afternoon. She dropped in, not realising they were home from boarding school. But they accepted her like they did with any other of their parents' friends, were polite and friendly, as their parents had brought them up to behave. They got used to her, then became more enthusiastic about her when she helped them with their algebra homework. If they wondered about any other aspect of their parents' relationship with Elizabeth, Christa hadn't noticed. They'd cross that bridge when they came to it.
The major concern of Christa's life at the moment was the Double D dinner party. She sighed. They were a challenging group of women. A funny mixture of cattiness, fun and surprising depth. Admittedly, sometimes she had to dig deep to find that depth.
They were due any minute. Her cook had made a series of high protein, low carb, gluten free, high on vegetables gourmet dishes for the variety of food preferences they had. Chocolate mousse for dessert. She smiled to herself, knowing a big bowl was waiting for her upstairs with Marc and Elizabeth.
The doorbell rang. Lana sailed in, looking like a million dollars. Her toy boys kept her eternally young.
“Darling Christa, where's that gorgeous husband of yours? I drool every time I see him.”
“Like most of the husbands, he's made himself scarce. Says you all intimidate him.”
“Who's intimidated?”
Jorja followed Lana, striding in like an Amazon. Nothing and no one would intimidate her. Not even that gorilla she had for a boyfriend.
“Have some champagne, Jorja.” Christa held out a glass.
“Ooh, I want some of that.” Nella came through the door and into the lounge room with her usual high-class grace. “I drove here with Sienna, which was slightly nerve-racking. Not the best driver in the world.”
The other women all seemed to arrive in a bunch. Willow, and Camilla with her wild red hair. Shy and uncomfortable. Christa tried her best, but she couldn't seem to make a connection with the younger woman,
Darla came in talking to Sienna. “And then he just stared at me. The best restaurant in Sydney and I get to go with a guy who I'm sure is a serial killer. He had these icy cold eyes and kept talking about skiing and would I like to go down to the snow with him. I got the distinct feeling he wanted to push me into a crevasse!”
“Darla. Not another dating disaster. Here, have some champagne,” Christa said.
They all made themselves comfortable in the lounge room, nibbling on canapés and scoffing more champagne. Christa was always amazed at the amount of noise a group of chattering women could make.
After a while Christa's cook discreetly signalled dinner was served, so they made their way into the dining room.
“My God, Christa. Every time I come here I get blown away by the view. The harbour looks stunning tonight,” Virginia said. “And your decorating taste is superb. Where did you get that vase?”
Christa smiled and shrugged. “I forget. Somewhere in my travels.”
Conversation resumed over dinner. Nella was next to Christa.
“I saw Elizabeth Underwood having coffee with you the other day.”
Christa took in a breath and let it out. “Did you? She's become a good friend over the past couple of weeks.”
“That's nice. She's a very beautiful woman. You looked good together.”
Christa shot her a sharp look and took a sip of her wine.
“Then I happened to see her downtown, having lunch with Marc.”
Christa turned to her and raised an eyebrow.
Nella laughed softly. “Good for you, my dear. Good for you. Take what you need from life. That's my motto.”
“I always do, Nella. I always do.”
Christa thought she heard a laugh from somewhere upstairs. She sipped some more wine and smiled at the other women.
Her chocolate mousse was waiting.
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Christa
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Secret Confessions: Sydney Housewives
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ISBN: 9780857992079
Title: Secret Confessions: Sydney HousewivesâChrista
Copyright © 2015 by Keziah Hill
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