The End of her Innocence. Sara Craven

finality. ‘And you—to be honest, I just don’t know any more.’

      Because suddenly you ‘re a stranger and I don’t like it. Can’t figure how to deal with it.

      There was a silence, then he sighed. ‘God, I’m sorry, Clo. You must think I’m insane. I suppose it’s being without you for so long. So, can we simply forget tonight and start again?’

      His face was looking strained, almost guilty, but perhaps it was a trick of the dim light.

      She said quietly, ‘That’s a good thought.’

      He nodded. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’

      ‘Fine.’ She paused. ‘Then—goodnight.’

      As she walked up the path to the door, she heard the jeep start up and drive away and realised her legs were trembling.

      ‘You’re back early.’ There was music coming from the sitting room where Uncle Hal was relaxing, his paper open at the crossword. ‘Have a good time?’

      ‘As always,’ she returned cheerfully, lowering herself into the chair opposite. ‘What are you listening to?’

      ‘Mozart, of course. A selection of favourite arias, and this is mine starting now.’ He turned up the sound a little. ‘The Countess lamenting her lost happiness from Figaro. “Dove sono I bei momenti”.’

      ‘Oh, yes, I remember,’ she said slowly. ‘When you took Aunt Libby and me to Glyndebourne for her birthday. It was wonderful.’ And quoted, ‘ “Where are the beautiful moments of pleasure and delight? Where have they flown, those vows made by a deceitful tongue?” ‘

      He nodded. ‘A supreme moment of artistry.’

      Then the poignant music and the soaring melancholy of the exquisite soprano voice captured them and held them in silence.

      The aria was still in Chloe’s head, plangent and heart-wrenching, as she went up to her room.

      Maybe not the ideal thing to have listened to in the circumstances, she acknowledged wryly as she got ready for bed.

      Yet nothing had really been lost, she thought. They’d just got off to a rocky start, that was all. And somewhere soon, with Ian, she would find that those ‘moments of pleasure and delight’ hadn’t disappeared at all, but were still waiting for her.

      It will all be fine, she told herself, turning on her side and closing her eyes. I know it.