CHAPTER 10

Rick walked slowly through to the kitchen, where his two favourite redheads were preparing dinner, with the well intended, if not particularly useful, help of his girlfriend. They were almost finished – and it looked delicious. The kitchen looked as if there had been a hurricane, but this was no surprise – Martha had cooked. They sat down at the table. Alexis was still looking pensive; Rick hoped she would tell him what was on her mind.

Martha served them all with huge helpings of chicken curry and rice. Rick knew Gina liked the meal, but she only picked at her food. He knew it shouldn't bother him but he thought of Kate, and how she always cleared her plate when she was visiting and profusely thanked and complimented whoever had cooked. Gina... she took it more for granted. He kicked himself mentally. He shouldn't be comparing Kate and Gina. His relationships with them were completely different; they meant completely different things to him.

Alexis was trying to make conversation with Gina.

"So, how was your trip?" she asked, smiling.

Gina winked. "Well, Paris was fantastic – but London was better – in Paris, their English was so useless. I wouldn't blame them – except I think of France as such an educated place."

Alexis coughed into her plate, but struggled on, maintaining a serene expression as Gina recounted the wonders of Spain, where she had spent most of her trip.

"How about you, honey? What have you been up to?"

Alexis shrugged, but remembered she was being chatty, so rushed into an answer after all.

"Just school mostly. Going out with friends, but I have a lot of studying to do."

"What's your favourite subject?" Gina asked.

Alexis couldn't help smiling. "I love learning French," she said, deadpan. It was Rick's turn to splutter – but he was trying to hide his laughter.

"Really?" Gina said, not realising the joke. "I thought you'd say literature. You're always reading."

"I like reading, a lot. But I'm not so keen on literature classes. I mean, sure – it's always going to have a place in my heart. Genetics, I guess," she said, looking at her father. He smiled, knowing she was trying hard.

"Alexis is fantastic at everything she tries. I think a much harder question is asking her what classes she doesn't like."

Alexis smiled. "You're too kind. I got a B on a paper last week," she said, frowning.

"Didn't the rest of the class fail?"

"Yes, but aren't you always telling me not to measure myself by other people's standards?"

Rick grinned. "You got me."

Gina seemed bored with the school topic. "What do you do besides school? Are you getting in trouble going to lots of crazy parties?"

Alexis bit her lip. "I'm not the crazy party type. I go shopping. And sometimes I go to concerts, and to the movies. I hang out with Kate and CB a lot," she said thoughtfully. It had been an accident; she had been thinking aloud. But Gina picked up on it and latched on like a pihrana.

"You hang out with Kate?"

"Sure. I've liked her ever since she arrested Dad at that party."

Gina laughed sarcastically. "I remember. That arrest almost ruined the whole evening."

Rick laughed too, but he meant it. "What are you talking about? It did wonders for publicity."

"But, Alexis, I mean, what do you two talk about?" Gina pressed, all but ignoring Rick's comment as she grilled his daughter.

"Uh... Well, everything. The news, the world and stuff. Her cases, a bit. Just everything. We read magazines and laugh at them. We do that with Dad's books too. And we watch movies. I think it's nice that we're friends – it means I'll get to see CB lots, too."

"You know, I've been thinking, about 'CB'," Gina said thoughtfully. "And I don't know if the arrangement you guys have is really going to work. I think a child should have one home. Children need stability, and the support of a proper family. Is he really going to have that if he spends half his time with Kate?"

Alexis gasped; Rick was to stunned to react at all. Gina carried on regardless. "I mean, does Kate even have a second bedroom? Or the money to support a child? Or even the time? Surely she wants to stay at her job – how will she do that and look after a child? I think it might even be a relief for her to give you sole custody, Rick – of course, she could visit him whenever she wanted..."

Rick knew he had to say something. He hardly knew how to start.

"It's nice that you're thinking about it, Gina. But I'm sure Kate wants to be with CB as much as possible. We'll work out something with childcare and where she'll live-"

"And what about money?"

Alexis wanted to scream. She managed to keep her tone civil, though. "Kate has enough money. She might not be rich like Dad, but she has enough to support a child. And even if she doesn't, we'll help her, right Dad?"

Rick didn't want to upset Gina, but Alexis was right. "Yeah, honey, of course we will. Gina, I work with her, anyway. We see each other all the time."

Gina was beginning to get angry. "Yes, you do see each other all the time. But only because CB is attached to her. Isn't that right?"

Rick struggled for words. "It may have started because of CB – but there's no doubt that Kate and I are great friends now."

"Lovely," Gina said sarcastically. "I think you should talk to her, Ricky. Tell her about my suggestion."

Rick shook his head. "I can't do that. I've always said to her that everything to do with the baby is up to her. She didn't even have to keep it. It's her choice."

Gina tutted. "If it came down to a court case, she would lose. She's always at work – you're the one with the time and resources to look after a baby."

Rick looked into the remainder of his food. He had no idea what to say. He knew Alexis was staring at him, willing him to defend Kate. He was stuck between his best friend and the woman he was supposed to love. Did he love her? He didn't know.

"We still have three months – why don't we all just let our thoughts settle a bit?" he said at last.

Alexis got up. "I suddenly feel sick. May I please be excused?"

Gina nodded. "Go on, honey."

Alexis managed not to run out of the room, but it was a close call. From her room, she heard dinner end, and then she heard Gina come upstairs. There was a knock on her door. She quickly lay down on the bed, put on her best pasty face, and called 'come in'.

"Hey, sweetheart," Gina said, smiling. Like a crocodile, Alexis thought. Gina seemed to be comparable to several vicious water-dwellers today.

"Hi, Gina," she replied weakly.

"Forget the act, Alexis, I know you're not sick."

Alexis sighed, then got off the bed and stood in front of Gina.

"Fine. You got me. What do you want?"

"Forget Kate, Alexis. Stop trying to put her between your father and me."

"I'm not. I'm just thinking about CB, and Kate's feelings about him."

"Whatever. I know Richard must look like a meal ticket for her but I don't think she's fit to care for a child and I won't let him give her a penny of his money. I'm going to see her tomorrow, to talk some sense into her."

"She and Dad'll be working."

"I have an errand for your father. I'm going to visit her at work. And you, Alexis, will be at school. I know you don't like me. And that's okay. You have, what, two years left of school? And then you can leave. And do whatever you want. But face it, kid. I am here to stay. And I'm not going to be part of this shared custody mess."

Alexis felt helpless. She had no answers. "Get out," she muttered eventually. Gina smiled sweetly, and did just that. Alexis watched her go feeling utterly dejected, wishing there was something she could do to put right the mistakes all the adults around her were making.