Chapter 37
NOVEMBER
The months since Clifford had left had sped by and Nancy had been enjoying herself so much she’d put the divorce to the back of her mind.
Then she came home from work one Friday evening to find the Conditional Order waiting for her.
She dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she reread the piece of paper spread out in front of her.
The formal reminder that her marriage was ending.
The accompanying letter informed her that she could apply for the Final Order in six weeks and one day, then that was it, marriage over.
She glanced over her shoulder as the kitchen door opened and Jackie came in.
‘Bad news?’ she asked in concern, obviously noticing Nancy’s tear-stained face.
‘It’s the Conditional Order for my divorce. It arrived in the post and was waiting for me when I came home from work.’ Nancy caught back a sob. She was not going to cry over this. Damn Clifford, she was well rid of him.
Jackie wrapped her arm around Nancy’s shoulder and gave her a hug. ‘I’m so sorry. Even when you’re expecting things, it comes as a shock when they actually happen, doesn’t it?’
Nancy sniffed and blew her nose. ‘It still feels so surreal. How can all those years of marriage be dissolved just like that? There was no big argument, nothing to indicate that we were rocky. I thought we were happy, or at least mulling along happily. Then wham, it’s all gone.’
Jackie sat down next to her. ‘I know it’s hard. This really did come all out of the blue for you.’ Nancy had confided in them all how Clifford had dumped her with a note, shafted their savings and left her in a financial mess.
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. ‘Yes, but I thought I’d picked myself up and made a new life for myself. I thought I was over it.’
‘Even if you are, getting official notice that your marriage is ending is still a sad event. I cried a bit when I got mine too. The break-up of a marriage hurts. It’s not something you get over quickly.’ Jackie told her.
‘It’s like Clifford has disappeared off the face of the Earth. Although, of course, he hasn’t as he’s been giving instructions to his solicitor.’
‘I’m so sorry. It must be even more upsetting when you had no idea he was about to walk out. Or where he’s gone.’
That’s the thing that really narked her, that Clifford hadn’t had the decency to talk to her face to face.
‘I was so angry and upset that I blocked his number ages ago. So he couldn’t contact me if he wanted to.
I unblocked it a few times afterwards but there were no messages so I blocked it again.
Although actually, I think he’s changed his number.
’ She dabbed her eyes again. ‘Anyway, if he had wanted to talk things through he would surely have come to see me.’
‘I would have thought so. He isn’t worth upsetting yourself over, but we all do it, don’t we?’
Pull yourself together, woman! Nancy told herself.
She folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.
‘It’s okay. It knocked me for six for a moment.
I knew the divorce was going ahead but I’ve been so busy with work and the band that I forgot it was imminent.
’ She put the envelope in her handbag, which was on the floor by her feet.
‘You and Slate went to look at the flats again today, didn’t you?
Are they coming on okay? Do you have a moving date yet? ’
‘We have to pay the deposit on Monday and they should be ready by the end of February. Is it still okay to stay here until then?’
‘Of course. I’m delighted that you aren’t leaving me yet. I love you three living here; it’s like sharing a house with friends.’ Nancy pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘Now, I’m going to stop wallowing and open a bottle of wine to celebrate that I’ll soon be a free woman. Fancy joining me?’
‘Good for you! I did the same when my divorce came through. Dust yourself down and make a new life for yourself.’ Jackie got two glasses out of the cupboard, while Nancy opened the wine. ‘I’ll have lemonade with mine. I’m going out tonight,’ she said.
Nancy smiled. They all knew that Jackie and Oxo had been seeing each other, but neither of them would admit that they were anything but friends. She was pleased for her; surprisingly they made a great couple.
She put a small drop of wine in Jackie’s glass and topped it up with lemonade, then a generous helping in her own glass. Damn it, she needed it!
‘To an amazing future!’ Jackie held her glass up and Nancy clinked it. ‘An amazing future.’
They’d only taken a couple of sips when Phyllis came home, holding the wicker basket she used to transport Cobweb around.
‘What are we celebrating?’ Phyllis asked and Nancy promptly burst into tears.
‘Nancy’s had her Conditional Order to say her divorce has been approved and I have to go out,’ she heard Jackie whisper to Phyllis.
Phyllis nodded. ‘I’ll look after her.’ She put the basket down on the floor and Cobweb immediately climbed out and jumped onto Nancy’s lap, as if she knew that Nancy needed some comfort. Nancy stroked her and instantly felt soothed as the friendly cat miaowed softly and cuddled into her.
Phyllis poured herself a glass of wine and sat down by Nancy. ‘It’s only natural you’re going to be upset. It’s the end of an era.’ She patted her hand. ‘But remember, it’s also the start of a new one. A wonderful one where you can be yourself.’
‘Right, I’ll leave you to it,’ said Jackie. ‘I’ve got to get ready. I’m staying over at… er, a friend’s… so will see you in the morning.’
‘Okay, have a good time,’ Phyllis told her.
‘Thanks for the shoulder to cry on.’ Nancy raised her glass. ‘I’m okay now.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Phyllis smiled as Jackie left the room. ‘Three guesses who the friend is that she’s seeing.’
‘Oxo,’ they both said together and burst out laughing. Honestly, Jackie and Oxo were going to such lengths to try and keep their relationship a secret but their friends had all known for ages. It was obvious from the way they looked at each other.