TG came and shook Grace’s hand and kissed her cheek. ‘So you’re the one we keep hearing about, huh?’
Grace smiled at TG, who seemed warm and friendly, like Frank.
‘Well, I hope the reviews are good,’ she said, laughing.
‘Oh, I never pay any attention to reviews,’ laughed TG. ‘Just box office. And Frank has plenty of returns at the box office.’
Grace saw Frank frown at him briefly. Was that a joke about Frank being low on money or out of work? Grace wasn’t sure.
‘Come in, come in,’ said TG, opening the door.
The house was welcoming. Grace stood and looked at the movie posters and collectables in the sitting room.
‘You have quite a collection,’ she said, noting an originalKing Kongposter.
‘It’s Calypso’s and mine. We are pack rats. We can’t say no to a new piece. You should see the baby’s room,’ he laughed.
Just as he spoke, Calypso walked in holding a baby.
‘Hi,’ she said in her pretty voice. ‘I’m Calypso.’ She kissed Frank on the cheek. ‘Hey Frankie, finally you get to meet August.’
Frank smiled at the baby. ‘Hey, August. How you doing?’ He took the baby’s chubby hands and shook them and the baby smiled at him.
‘Come and sit down, I have some drink coming,’ she said. She handed August to TG, who sat while August stood on his father’s knees and balanced.
‘So great to see you, Frank,’ said Calypso.
While she and Frank caught up, Grace assessed her as a potential model. She was tiny and had the most perfect body Grace had ever seen, everything was in proportion. And her hair was like a halo, strawberry blonde with soft curls. Grace noted the navy blue glitter nail polish on her toes and the pretty bracelet of crystals and little icons on her wrist. She was bohemian without trying too hard, the perfect California girl.
Grace felt over-dressed compared to Calypso’s little skirt that Grace recognised as Marni, and a nondescript singlet. Neither of the hosts was wearing shoes and Grace looked down at her sling backs, wishing she had worn flats instead.
The housekeeper came into the room with iced tea and a plate of fruit and corn chips. TG looked at Frank. ‘Rum, sir?’ he asked.
‘Indeed,’ said Frank.
TG placed August carefully on the floor, who proceeded to crawl to his toys, while TG opened a vintage Danish cabinet and took out a bottle of rum.
August soon crawled over to Grace, pulled himself up into a standing position and looked her in the eyes.
‘He likes you,’ exclaimed Calypso.
‘He’s a man of fine taste,’ said Frank, smiling at her. Grace had no experience with babies and she looked at him solemnly. ‘Hello August,’ she said.
August threw his head back and laughed at her.
Grace laughed at him. ‘He’s divine.’
‘Talk to me about that at three in the morning,’ said TG wryly.
‘Teeth,’ said Calypso with a sigh.
Grace nodded although she had no idea what she meant. ‘Rum, Grace?’
Grace stopped for a moment and then shook her head. ‘No thanks,’ she smiled. It felt good to be able to say no, she thought.
Calypso shook her head at the rum also and settled back on the chair while August played with the buckles on Grace’s shoes.
‘So let’s get business out of the way and then we can have a good time, yes?’
