Coming Around Again Read Online Free Page A

for the house.
One she shared entirely. And even though he’d told his mother that they were
renovating, Alwine decided a brief holiday was in order, since her eldest son
had been too busy to pay a visit.
    “How’s Mr. Strøm?” Stella asked as they reached the corridor.
    “He’s fine. He’s gone to stay with Niels’ sister for a few days, while
I’m here. I did tell him he could come with me, but...” She shrugged. With an
understanding nod, Stella opened the bedroom door and set Alwine’s suitcase
inside. Stella had made the effort to lay out brand new bed linen, wedding
linen, and clean towels, also bought as wedding gifts. Niels had bought a large
bouquet of flowers and set up a tea service in the room for Alwine as well. Just like a bloody bed and breakfast ,
Stella thought distastefully.
    “It’s lovely,” Alwine said, approval muted in her tone. She strode to
the window which overlooked the large garden. “It’s a very quiet area you’ve
chosen.”
    “We got more bang for our buck here,” Stella said with a shrug. “Bit
more space for us.”
    “And children?”
    “If and when they come, yes. There are some great schools in this
catchment area. It’s easy for Niels to commute to his office and for me to get
to my salon.”
    “Oh, that’s doing well?”
    “Keeping me busy, yes. I’ll need to go soon, and you and Niels will have
lots of time to yourselves today.”
    Alwine twisted her lips, and looked out of the window once more. “Are
you sure you want to be working so much? You’re only just married. This is the
hardest year.”
    Lord. She’d endured the same lecture from her own mother. “Have to.
We’ve got plans together. Doesn’t happen without money.”
    “You know how traditional Niels is…”
    “Yes, but he didn’t marry a fembot. He married me. Working me. Driven
me. Want everything I can possibly give my family… Me.”
    Alwine clasped her hands in front of her primly. “I know my son. When
you have your own children, you’ll know them in a way no one else ever will. He
will want to look after you. He will want to feel needed. Like the man. Trust
him, that you don’t have to do everything yourself. No, Stella. As a woman who
has been married for almost forty years, believe me. A husband and wife each
have their role to play. Like a fulcrum. If you don’t do what you are supposed
to, it will all fall apart. There’s no shame in a little dependence.”
    Niels walked into the room and embraced his mother. They spoke in
Danish, their words floating over Stella’s head. All Stella could think of, was
how little Alwine understood Stella. Dependency could never be an option.
Watching her mother’s marriages fall apart one after the other only ever taught
her to have an exit strategy. A plan should she ever be husbandless. Her friend
Eden told her of all the horror stories of woman who relied on their husbands
for everything and once he left, they were at a loss of what to do with matters
as simple as utility bills. Niels appreciated her independence. Of course he
did! Why else would he marry her, unless he wanted to break her?
    Niels edged his mother out of the house. “Do you want a drink? Stella’s
going to work and we can have brunch.”
    “Yes, I’m just going to get changed.”
    “We’ll finish that discussion later, Stella,” Niels said, his voice full
of promise. It made her giggle. Moreover, it made her forget her
mother-in-law’s words of warning.
    How those words would seek to haunt her in nine years’ time…
     
    ***
     
    “This is a joke. It has to be,” Stella fumed, thrusting the divorce
petition towards her friend. She’d always amused herself about the fact that
she’d surrounded herself with professionals for close personal friends, but she
never once considered she might need any of them.
    Eden held up her hands for patience. “Just calm down there. Let me read
through and I’ll explain it to you.”
    As if Eden could be rational about what