Chapter Seven Fiona #3
It’s on Zoom, and it’ll be short and boring.
Kavita said it’ll take fifteen minutes tops
JONAH
I just thought you might want someone there for moral support
FIONA
That’s so sweet, Jonah, but I’ll be fine
If I fall apart, I don’t want you to see it
MUM
Good luck today, Fiona. Hope all goes well.
Transferred a few extra $$ into your account x
FIONA
Thanks Mum, really appreciate it x
DAD
Your mother reminded me that today is your divorce hearing. Don’t get soft and let that man take advantage of you.
Again.
FIONA
Not planning on it
SADIE
Jonah told me you don’t want anyone with you at the hearing, but if you decide you want to go for a drink afterwards and you need someone to take the kids for the afternoon, just say x
FIONA
That’s so lovely, Sadie, but I’ll be all right x
ELIAS
Thinking of you today, Fi – let me know if there’s anything you need
FIONA
Any chance you could get the rest of the family to leave me alone?
Thanks big bro xx
From: [email protected]
Subject: Divorce proceedings today
Hi Fiona,
Just wanted to confirm what happens next, now we’ve had the hearing. I know we went over this in my office, but it’s always nice to have it in writing.
Basically, everything went as smoothly as we could have hoped. Admittedly, there were more questions from the registrar than there normally are, but I think it was because he couldn’t believe Matt had pulled off the two-families scam for so long. Nothing to do with you.
The long and the short of it is – congratulations! The hard part is over. All that’s left is for the divorce to be finalised, which will happen in one month and one day (27 December). You’ll be able to download your divorce order the next day from the online portal.
Once that’s done, we can have a chat about pursuing back payment for child support.
As always, feel free to give me a call if you want to talk through any of this.
Kind regards,
Kavita
CHESS
Congratulations on being almost divorced!
If Kavita sent you home with any of that prosecco, though, don’t drink it – it’s awful
FIONA
Trust me, I know
And thanks again – for everything x
BELLERIVE PUBLIC YEAR 6 PARENTS
MICHELLE
Hi Year 6 parents – just another reminder about the arrangements for graduation next week!
Every family is responsible for a side, a salad or a dessert (except Fiona, who gets a pass for obvious reasons!!). Here’s a link to the Google doc:
And remember, it’s BYO drinks!
From: [email protected]
Subject: An apology and an explanation
Dear Fiona,
First of all, I’m sorry for reaching out. I’m sure you don’t want to hear from me.
Secondly, I’m sorry for not reaching out sooner. I’m very aware of the role I’ve played in this mess, and there’s no way I’ll ever be able to make it up to you. You’re under no obligation to accept my apology, but please know how sorry I am.
Matt doesn’t know I’ve written to you, and he would be mortified if he found out. As I’m sure you’re well aware, he’s a very proud man. But I wanted to reach out to you, mother to mother, to see if there’s any chance you’d be willing to let him have a call with your kids sometime soon.
I understand how angry you must be with him.
I’m probably one of the only people who knows what it feels like.
He told me about you a few years ago, and I was so furious I thought my head was going to explode.
He promised me he was going to leave you, but then he didn’t, and didn’t, and didn’t, and…
you get the picture. We split up for a while, but – and I’m not proud of this – in the end, I couldn’t live without him. For better or worse, he’s my person.
I don’t want to make excuses for him or pretend like he’s perfect, but he really, REALLY loves your kids.
He doesn’t talk about it much, but I know he misses them every single day.
It’s killing him, not being able to speak to them – I’ve never seen his eyes light up like they did when we ran into your beautiful girls last month.
You obviously don’t owe us anything, but if you could find it in your heart to let him have a call with them, it would be a huge step forward in the healing journey: for you, me, him, and especially for the kids.
Best wishes,
Laura
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: An apology and an explanation
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FIONA
Satoshi, I’m so sorry, but can we rain check tonight?
My divorce hearing was on Monday, and I can’t stop thinking about how I’m going to have to let Matt see the kids again once it’s all final, and…
… sigh. Maybe it sounds silly, but I just need to keep my babies close to me.
SATOSHI
Of course we can
And it doesn’t sound silly at all x
FIONA
Sorry
SATOSHI
Fiona Fisher, we have *talked* about apologising
You never need to. Not with me x
Although admittedly, Yquem is not as useful a study buddy as you are
Satoshi sent a photo.
[Photo: A ginger cat fast asleep on top of three binders of notes.]
SATOSHI
Check your front porch
FIONA
What?
SATOSHI
Just do it
FIONA
Satoshi Tsukamoto, you did not!!
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: An open care package sitting on Fiona’s front porch with bottles of Bibliophile blanc de blancs and chardonnay featuring prominently.]
SATOSHI
I can’t take all the credit
Chess Shaw bought the sparkling for you over the phone
But there’s a few other bits and pieces in there for you – some wagashi for the girls, a book for Lex, some cheese and wine for you
FIONA
You shouldn’t have
SATOSHI
What kind of business would I be running if someone called in an emergency sparkling order and I didn’t fulfil it ASAP? I have an image to maintain, Fiona
Besides, I had to drop off a case for Kieran at the spa anyway. It was no trouble x
FIONA
You should have knocked at the door!
SATOSHI
I didn’t want to intrude on your time with the kids x
FIONA
You are so lovely, Satoshi x
I don’t deserve you
You might be the only thing holding me together right now
Thank you so much for this xoxo
Fiona sent a photo.
[Photo: A glass of chardonnay.]
It’s been a big week, and this is the only thing holding me together right now