Chapter 42
‘It’s not fair. Why can’t we stay and see Dad?’ Daisy asked for the fourth time in less than five minutes. She leant one hip against the Welsh dresser in the kitchen, crossed her arms and scowled.
Beth, one arm still in a sling, was busy encouraging Grace to work out how to do up the big buttons on her favourite unicorn coat. ‘I agree, Daisy. But you read the letter, same as I did. He said he wants a meeting with me here, today, at two, and that if any of you kids are here, it won’t happen.’
‘Is it me or is that, like, weirdly controlling?’ asked Rose.
‘Very weirdly controlling,’ agreed Beth.
‘I don’t want to see him, anyway,’ muttered Jack. He pulled a sausage roll from a packet near the back of the fridge, sniffed it, then crammed the whole thing into his mouth.
‘We could hide upstairs and surprise him,’ said Daisy. ‘And then, when he sees us—’
‘If you want to take the risk that he won’t turn around and leave, then be my guest,’ said Beth. ‘I’m past caring what he wants anymore.’
Rose handed Jack half a baguette stuffed with cheese and steered him towards the door. ‘I care. Daisy, we talked about this. We’ll let Beth and Dad talk, then we can see what happens after that. Now, come on, I’ll buy you a hot chocolate at The Coffee Pot.’ She picked up the car keys and dangled them in Daisy’s face.
Daisy glared at Beth and pushed away from the dresser. ‘Okay, fine, but we’re only giving them an hour, then we’ll be back.’
‘Good,’ said Beth. ‘I’ll look forward to it.’
*
Twenty minutes later, there was a firm rat-a-tat-tat on the knocker.
Beth paused on the way to open the door. The delicate perfume from pink stocks in a vase on the windowsill helped to steady her nerves. She was grateful the house was still tidy after the kitchen inspection. The thought of Paul judging her, thinking she’d fallen apart without him, made her skin feel like a thousand ants were crawling just under the surface.
A petite, pretty, blonde woman, who looked to be in her early thirties and was dressed in floaty, white linen layers, stood on the doorstep. ‘He’s not coming,’ she said, her South American drawl making her sound as if she’d just stepped off the set of Gone with the Wind .
Beth scanned the driveway. A low-slung, dark-green, soft-top sports car was parked at a jaunty angle near the stables. ‘I’m sorry, what?’
‘Paul,’ the woman said. ‘He’s not coming.’
‘Oh, and you are?’
‘Rachel. May I come in?’
Beth stepped back from the door and gestured down the corridor towards the kitchen.
Rachel walked through the kitchen and on into the conservatory. ‘What a beautiful room. Paul told me how much he enjoyed designing it.’
Rachel’s languid way of speaking was beginning to get on Beth’s nerves. ‘I think the real credit goes to his first wife, Isla.’ Why is this woman here? Who is she? ‘Did he also tell you about the children?’
‘Not until a few weeks ago, but they’re part of the reason I’m here.’ She crossed to a wicker sofa that afforded an excellent view of the garden. ‘May I sit?’
Beth nodded.
‘Will you join me?’ Rachel asked.
Beth didn’t like being invited to sit in her own house, but she couldn’t very well continue to lurk in the doorway. She sloped over to an armchair. ‘Why are you here?’
‘Paul asked me to come. He’s had a tough time. He’s been travelling all over the place trying to find himself and ended up in India. That’s where we met. At an ashram. We bonded over yoga and spiritual healing.’
Beth eased the sling where it pinched at her neck. ‘Right.’
‘He wants a divorce.’
‘Why hasn’t he come to ask me himself?’
‘He doesn’t want you to think there’s any chance of you getting back together.’
‘Arrogant sod!’ It had been a while since Beth had fantasised about throttling her husband, but her palms were starting to itch.
‘Yes, he is a bit, but that’s part of his charm. Don’t you think?’
‘That’s a matter of opinion. So, are you and he…?’
‘We are,’ replied Rachel, holding up her left hand, a wide, satisfied grin spreading across her face. ‘He popped the question a few weeks ago. British men are so romantic.’
Beth’s gaze lit on the diamond adorning Rachel’s ring finger and her eyes narrowed. It was huge. Several thousand pounds’ worth of huge. Not enough to fix a roof, mind, but still, the timing was suspicious.
‘We’d like to get married before the baby comes.’ Rachel placed a protective hand on her slim midriff, her expression unfocused and dreamy. ‘We’re going to settle in Washington. Paul’s going to take a job with my law firm. It’s going to be wonderful.’
‘And you’re not remotely concerned that Paul has already abandoned four other children?’
‘He won’t do that to me. I have an ironclad prenup. He wouldn’t dare.’
‘Oh good,’ said Beth, half hoping Paul would attempt to leave Rachel. The prospect of her tearing him limb from limb was unexpectedly appealing.
‘So,’ prompted Rachel, ‘the divorce?’
‘Are you here as his lawyer or his fiancé?’
‘Both.’
‘Then you’re negotiating on his behalf?’
‘Yes.’
Beth paced over to the French windows and stared out at the smooth, creamy travertine patio slabs. ‘Here’s the thing. I’m glad Paul didn’t come today. He’s saved me the trouble of running him off my property at the sharp end of a shovel.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘I have more important things to think about than a useless husband. He can have his divorce.’
‘Alrighty, that was easier than I exp—’
‘Not so fast.’ Beth held up a finger. ‘I have conditions.’
‘Such as?’
‘He has to pay for it. All of it. And he has to cough up the child maintenance he’s missed.’
‘That sounds fair.’
‘And,’ said Beth, as if Rachel hadn’t spoken, ‘he’d better start making regular emotionally supportive contact with his children because – even though I think he’s a prize prat – they love him.’
‘That is also reasonable.’
‘There will also be a discussion about the two hundred thousand pounds he stole from me.’
‘What?’ Rachel looked as if she’d accidentally swallowed a fly.
‘In fact,’ Beth gave a humourless smile, her gaze moving down to the ring, ‘make that two hundred and ten thousand pounds.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘I’ll send you the paperwork and the bank statements that prove it. And, finally, he’ll have to sign full custody of Grace over to me. She won’t be popping over to the States for a visit any time soon.’
Rachel didn’t respond.
‘Then, and only then, will I agree to a divorce. Let me know when the papers are ready for me to sign and then you can have Paul with my blessing. I’ll show you out.’ Beth swept from the room, her head held high. She opened the front door and waited. ‘Goodbye and good luck. You’re going to need it.’
The future Mrs Hope the Third shot Beth an uncertain look before heading over to her car and driving away.
Beth glanced outside before closing the door and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the gate to the llama field, petting the animals. Her heart started tap-dancing. Grabbing a fleece, she hurried over.
‘Rick. You came back.’
He turned and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘I know I said that we should stay away from each other, but something happened and I, well, I really needed to see you.’
It was only as he said the words that she realised just how much she had needed to see him, too. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, enjoying the warm tingly sensation that the contact triggered. ‘What happened?’
‘I went to see Cora yesterday.’
‘Oh! How did it go?’
‘I might have made things worse.’
‘Oh God, Rick. I am so sorry.’
‘Why are you apologising?’
‘Because I suggested you go.’
‘Hush.’ He pulled her into his arms. ‘It was good advice. I’m glad I went. I feel so much better about it all.’
The delicious feeling of being held close by him jarred with her concern. ‘Tell me what happened.’ She listened intently as he told her about Dean potentially responding to stimulation.
‘So, you see? You were right to tell me to go. I needed to see them both. And Cora… well, in some ways, I think she needed to see me.’
‘I can see why she’d be upset if you caused Dean pain.’
‘Yes, I agree, but it’s a standard test for pain responses. His doctors will do the same if they reassess him.’
‘And this response is a good thing, yes?’
‘Yes. It’s a really good sign.’
‘Does it mean he will get better?’
Rick shrugged. ‘It’s possible. How much better, I can’t say. Some people recover completely and others never progress at all. It’s really up to Dean and his medical team now.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘There’s nothing I can do, apart from wish them well. I’ll spend the next couple of weeks here. I’ve come to rely on forest life more than I ever thought possible. If I can stay under the radar here for a bit longer, I’ll make the most of the peace and quiet before going back to London and all hell is let loose by the court case. After that, this place will probably be sold.’ His eyes scanned the barn and the field. ‘I’ve no idea where I’ll go.’
Beth gave him a small squeeze. ‘Come to us – in whatever way, shape or form makes you comfortable. I mean, of course, we have to think of the kids and go slow and everything, but… and we can be just friends, if that’s what you want. Or, maybe, in time, we can… I … well… hmm.’ She felt her cheeks go warm. ‘I’m sorry. I’m not making much sense. I don’t really know what I mean. I just don’t want you to leave.’
Rick slid his hands up to take her upper arms in a gentle grip, gazing intently into her eyes. ‘You are a very special person, Beth. Under different circumstances, I would be delighted to explore whatever this is between us – working around what the children need, of course. But the way things stand at the moment, I have to say no. My problems can’t become yours.’
‘But—’
‘You have already done enough. Without you, I’d have fallen apart weeks ago. I won’t be like Paul. I am not going to make my financial burden yours.’
‘You’re not—’
‘If I can’t clear this whole messy situation up and come to you with a clean slate, or if there is any chance that you or your kids might get hurt by association, then I’ll keep away.’
A huge chasm of loss at the thought of his leaving opened before her.
His mobile phone pinged. He released her and checked his screen, then cursed. ‘A message from an unknown number.’
‘Could it be David?’
‘Possibly. I still haven’t been able to get hold of him. I’m getting quite worried about him, to be honest. I’d better check.’ He put the device to his ear.
Beth watched his eyes grow round as he listened to the message. ‘What is it?’
‘Cora wants to see me.’
‘When?’
‘Monday afternoon.’
‘So you have a few days before you have to go back.’ A few days in which she could change his mind about leaving for good. ‘Well, if you’re stuck for something to fill your time, come over and see what we’ve done in the stable. We’re painting what Barbara calls a “Muriel” on one of the walls. Well, Lucy is painting it and the rest of us are colouring in the bits she tells us to, but it’s surprisingly relaxing.’
‘I might just do that. A bit of art therapy is just what I need.’
They might have stood there staring at each other for hours, but the sound of a car heralded the children returning.
Daisy leapt from the car and stormed across the gravel. ‘Is Dad still here? What did he want?’
Jack skidded to a halt behind his twin. ‘Is Dad coming home?’ He threw Rick a challenging glare. ‘Or did he see you with Rick and change his mind?’
Rick stepped back and shook his head. ‘I wasn’t here, mate. Whatever is going on with your dad, it has nothing to do with me.’
Rose arrived carrying Grace, with Paddy scuffing over the gravel behind her.
Daisy scowled at Beth. ‘Well? Is Dad coming home or not?’
Beth shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Daisy, but your dad didn’t come. He sent a… a friend.’
‘What? Why?’
Resisting the urge to glance at Rick, Beth said, ‘He wants a divorce. He’s moving to America—’
‘What?’ Daisy’s howl of outrage tugged at Beth’s heart.
‘He wants to stay in contact with you. His friend said he will be calling you about it soon. There are just some things he needs to sort out first.’
‘No! That’s not fair. That’s just so… not fair .’ She spun on her heels and ran back towards the farmhouse.
Jack glanced from Daisy’s retreating back to Beth and then to Rick, before dashing after her.
Rose gave Beth a sad smile before turning to Rick. ‘Hi. You came back. It’s nice to see you.’ She passed Grace to Beth. ‘I’ll go and see if I can talk to them.’
Beth held Grace close. ‘I’m sorry your daddy didn’t come, Grace.’
The little girl looked more confused than distressed and wriggled to get down. ‘Can I go and play with the penguins?’ she asked Rick.
Rick laughed. ‘If your mum says that you can.’
Without bothering to see if Beth agreed, Grace was off like a shot. Rick touched Beth’s arm. ‘It sounds like there’s been a fair bit going on here while I’ve been away. Would you like a cuppa? You don’t have to talk, but if you’d like to, I’m all yours.’
If Rick was so set on leaving, Beth was damned if she’d pass up the opportunity to spend time with him.