East of the Sun by Janet Rogers Page A

like the idea of him living with his father, who, in case you’re wondering, continues to be as useless as ever.’
    Both women fell silent and again Amelia felt bad. Things must have been difficult for Ratna too: losing a beloved boss, having to adjust to a new one, raising a child alone, dealing with family complications back in Toronto.
    ‘It sounds like things have been tough.’
    Ratna shrugged, looking into her tea. ‘No more than usual.’
    It struck Amelia that, despite the light-hearted tone, Ratna was being unusually reticent. Things must have been harder than she was admitting.
    Before she could say anything, Ratna spoke again. ‘Amelia,’ she said, her face serious, ‘what are you doing here?’
    She was taken aback, surprised at the directness of the question, especially after Ratna’s delicacy on the first day she’d arrived at the embassy unannounced. Unsure of how to answer, she glanced at her watch and saw that is was already ten minutes past her scheduled meeting time with the ambassador.
    She leaned across and touched Ratna’s arm briefly. She wanted to be as honest as possible. ‘I do have some admin to take care of here, but mainly I need to move on, and I’m hoping this visit will help me do that. It’s a little complicated. Do you mind if I tell you more about it when we have that drink?’
    Ratna nodded slowly, drained her cup and smiled faintly. ‘Of course not. Come on, the ambassador’s probably wondering where you are.’
    Robert’s office had changed. For a moment Amelia stopped in the doorway and took in the changes. The furniture had been rearranged. When Robert had occupied the office, his desk had always stood diagonally in one corner while the new arrangement had it directly opposite the door. It was inconsequential, she knew, but she couldn’t help but feel that the space had somehow become alien.
    She looked up to meet the eyes of a very tall, balding man. He appeared to be in his early sixties already, older than she’d thought he’d be, and with eyes much kinder than she’d expected. She didn’t know why she’d imagined him being aloof, but he seemed to be quite the opposite, coming forward with outstretched hand.
    ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs Preston. Please, sit down,’ he said with old-worldly grace, and indicated for her to take a chair across from his. His French accent was noticeable, but not strong.
    ‘I’m pleased to meet you too. Thank you for seeing me.’ For a moment she felt like an awkward schoolgirl. ‘Please call me Amelia.’
    ‘And I am Jean. Jean Legault.’
    Amelia nodded, unsure of what to say next. She watched as he walked slowly around his desk and sat down to face her.
    ‘Did you know my husband?’ she asked, not knowing where to begin.
    ‘I did. Not very well, but as you know, paths cross in government and naturally also in the diplomatic service.’
    When the door behind Amelia opened, he looked past her and with a nod acknowledged Ratna, who came in with a document. He thanked her and waited for the door to close behind her again before he spoke, at no moment uncomfortable with the absence of conversation. Amelia sat back, allowing his quiet, unhurried manner to calm her.
    ‘Robert was a good man, admired by many. He was still young and already so good at what he did.’
    The remaining anger and impatience she’d felt that morning was instantly replaced by a knot of emotion in her throat.
    ‘Thank you. For saying such kind things.’
    ‘How did you meet him?’ His question was gentle, as if he sensed in her the need to talk about Robert.
    ‘In London. He was doing a relief posting there for a while. We met at the house of mutual friends, at a dinner party.’
    He gave her a smile that was filled with such compassion that emotion threatened to overwhelm her.
    ‘You don’t have children?’
    ‘No, unfortunately we didn’t get around to it, as is so often the case with late starters like us,’ Amelia said, unwilling to go