Chapter 31
Jack approached the entrance to Augusta House, wound down the car window and pressed the intercom.
‘Come through, Jack.’ Tara had been ready, watching for his car to arrive. Calum had got off nicely to school, totally oblivious to what lay in store for his parents in court that day.
She made her way to the car looking very demure in a navy-blue dress and jacket. It was the most formal Jack had seen her.
‘Hi, all set?’ he asked as she climbed in next to him.
‘As well as I’ll ever be,’ replied Tara in a serious tone. She’d just be glad when the whole thing was over.
‘Does Calum know about the hearing?’ said Jack, wondering how this was affecting him.
‘No. I’ve kept it from him and it looks like Richard has too.’ She turned to face him. ‘I don’t even think he’s told Melissa.’
Jack blinked. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah, I’m convinced he still thinks he can worm his way out of this, without her knowledge.’
He gave a harsh laugh. ‘Then she could be in for a shock.’
‘She will if I get what I’ve applied for,’ answered Tara flatly. Not that it bothered her what Melissa thought. It was more the consequences from Richard. She knew full well what to expect from him when he didn’t get his own way.
‘On a lighter note, I’ve booked lunch at The Seaview.’ Jack smiled, trying his best to keep her upbeat. It worked. Her face broke into a warm beam.
‘Oh, thanks, Jack, that’ll be lovely.’ Then she added, ‘Let’s hope we’ve something to celebrate.’
The journey to the County Court didn’t take long.
They parked up and met Claire, who was waiting in the reception area.
If Jack thought Tara looked demure, this was nothing compared to Claire.
She wore a tailored black trouser suit with shoulder pads.
Pure power dressing. She carried a briefcase, no doubt containing all the facts and figures to throw at Richard.
He smiled to himself, already liking her.
‘You OK?’ Claire searched Tara’s face, as if willing her to stay strong.
‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘Claire, this is Jack. Jack, meet Claire, my best mate.’
‘And solicitor,’ chipped in Claire with a grin as she shook Jack’s hand. She’d been delighted when Tara had previously told her about him and to expect him there.
Jack smiled in return. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘Is he here?’ Tara spoke in a hushed voice, eyes darting around the reception area.
‘Oh yes,’ replied Claire with sarcasm. ‘He’s already given me a dirty look.’
‘Where is he?’ asked Jack, frowning. He’d discreetly scanned the area but hadn’t seen any sign of him.
‘Over there, in a syndicate room with his solicitor.’ Claire tipped her head towards a small corridor with three doors.
‘He’s got representation?’ hissed Tara.
‘Apparently. A last-minute job. Don’t worry, nothing I can’t handle,’ assured Claire.
Jack believed her. This solicitor friend of Tara’s looked the epitome of cool, calm and collected.
Claire checked her watch. ‘We’re first on the list so won’t be delayed.’
Jack questioned if she’d sorted that too.
He wouldn’t be surprised. She looked completely in control, in her natural habitat, whereas Tara appeared the opposite – nervy and uncomfortable.
Yet he knew her inner strength, having witnessed her performance with Jasmine’s labour and on the A&E wards.
Tara had backbone. She only needed to believe in herself.
Then out came Richard, accompanied by his solicitor, an arrogant-looking middle-aged man, wearing half-rimmed glasses and a haughty expression. Claire gave him a sweeping look and turned to Tara.
‘Don’t be misled. He may look the part, but he’s thick as pig muck,’ she whispered with a wink, making Tara and Jack giggle.
‘O’Hara and Totty,’ announced the court usher.
Tara and Jack exchanged a look.
‘You’ll be fine,’ he said and kissed her cheek.
Richard clocked it and glared at Jack. Jack glared back. Claire noticed the interaction and smirked to herself.
Jack waited in the seating area outside the District Judge’s chambers.
He watched as Tara held her head high and marched in with Claire.
He only hoped it would go well for her. She so deserved it.
Once again he was reminded of how intense his feelings for her were.
In such a relatively short time he’d developed a strong attachment to her, and the outcome of today was a big deal to him too.
He wanted Tara to be happy. He wanted justice for her.
Inside the chambers, Claire was outlining her application.
‘Judge, my client is applying for a lump sum, half the current value of her ex-husband’s dental practice, given that the business was established with half her money.
Indeed, whilst Mr Totty was ploughing the profits made back into the business, the family were living solely on my client’s wages.
Notwithstanding, Ms O’Hara has been forced to sell the family home, uproot herself and son to a more modest dwelling and continues working full time as a doctor. ’
Tara bit her lip. Claire hadn’t mentioned the intention to reduce her hours.
But then it hadn’t been implemented yet, so didn’t expect any comeback.
She glanced towards Richard who was looking ashen-faced by now.
He gulped and straightened his tie. Claire’s opening words were met with direct opposition.
‘Judge, my client has provided more than generous maintenance and is even prepared to increase it, given reasonable terms.’
Reasonable terms! What an absolute joke, thought Tara, sharply turning to see Claire’s response.
‘It’s because of your client’s unreasonable terms that we find ourselves here in the first place,’ retorted Claire in a steely voice, making Richard wince.
Claire then went on to outline just what little Richard had provided, in comparison to his very lucrative earnings. He at least had the grace to blush.
When hearing it out loud, Tara felt like crying.
How had she ever agreed to such a pittance?
She stole another glance at him. The coward couldn’t look her in the eye.
It only got worse for him, especially when Claire went on to list the skiing holidays and cruises he and his new wife regularly enjoyed, not to mention the huge house they lived in.
It all made for a deafening, excruciating silence when Claire finished. Tara waited for Richard’s solicitor to counteract, but when he finally got his act together and attempted, he blustered profusely, not having any concrete objection. He was finally interrupted by the District Judge.
‘I’ve heard enough. Having perused the file earlier, I have sufficient financial information to make an order in full and final settlement. I grant Ms O’Hara’s application, which must be adhered to within three months from the date of this order.’
Basically, as Claire explained once out of chambers, ‘Richard has got three months from today to cough up.’
Tara exhaled and closed her eyes. It was over. She’d won.
‘Well done.’ Jack nudged her arm and smiled.
‘I… can’t believe it,’ she replied in a daze.
‘Well, do. It’s finally payback time,’ said Claire with utter glee, resisting the urge to punch the air.
Richard vanished pretty rapidly, all his nightmares having come true.
He’d have to say goodbye to his new home (or at least remortgage it).
There’d be no more lavish holidays… And could he really keep his Mercedes Maybach under the circumstances?
Doubtful, especially as he’d soon have another child to keep too.
Oh, how the mighty crumble, said a taunting voice in his head, or was it his guilty conscience?
But what bothered him the most was, how the hell was he going to break the news to Melissa?
‘Cheers.’ Jack clinked his champagne flute against Tara’s.
‘Cheers,’ she said and took a gulp of fizz.
It tasted good. Very good. But then victory always did, didn’t it?
She sat back in contentment and gave a huge sigh of relief.
At last, she was able to relax and no longer had to worry.
With the money coming her way, she could easily work part-time and still live comfortably.
When she told Jack what she’d been awarded with, his eyes had widened, not quite believing what Claire had pulled off. ‘It’s only what’s fair,’ she’d said, ‘and obviously the District Judge thought so too.’
Tara had fully expected a barrage of abusive texts or threatening voice messages, but no, there’d been nothing.
Zilch. Richard was silent, for now. This only strengthened her suspicions that he had too much to deal with than contact her.
He had a young wife who was soon going to endure a change in lifestyle.
Richard was no longer quite the sugar daddy he once was.
Tara turned to face Jack and smiled appreciatively.
‘Thanks for your support… and this.’ Her hands spread out to the exquisite dining area of the restaurant.
It had dark-blue panelled walls, matching the sea that could be seen through the picture window.
Hanging lanterns gave the place a warm, mellow glow and the sound of smooth jazz played in the background.
The Seaview was renowned for its Michelin Star food and Jack had done well to reserve a table at such short notice.
‘My pleasure.’ He inclined his head and Tara met his lips with a kiss. ‘What time do you have to be back?’ he asked in her ear.
Tara gave a sly grin. What was he implying? The champagne filled her senses, giving her a laissez-faire feeling, along with the success in court. ‘By four,’ she replied.
‘Ah, plenty of time.’
‘For what?’ she asked playfully, looking up at his face.
He returned her gaze, unflinching and gave a lazy smile.
‘Coffee, at mine?’ He raised a seductive eyebrow.
‘Sounds good.’ She gave a sexy chuckle.