25
January, 1996. Diana opened the oven and pulled out a baking sheet of roasted fennel, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, basil and capers. The room filled with the rich, wintery smell, and Aurelle sighed.
‘When will it be ready?’ She popped the end of a pepper in her mouth.
It was a Sunday night and Diana had suggested they invite Rachel over. Diana had encouraged the friendship between Aurelle and Rachel, breaking their rule to have no outsiders in their home, and it had been good for Aurelle. Rachel provided a distraction, allowed Diana to disappear into her work without feeling too guilty. Rachel was kind and easy, she loved art and books and she offered a good energy that Diana hoped would rub off on Aurelle. Diana didn’t think that Rachel particularly liked her, but that didn’t conc
