Chapter 31
31
Dee watched in admiration as Kenny stood some paintings on the easels; a beautiful landscape, a flowering bush, a ship on a stormy sea with flashes of lightning crashing across the sky, the same sea on a sunny day with the water shimmering.
‘I’d love to be able to paint like that,’ she said. ‘You’re so talented.’
‘Thank you, but it’s been years of practice. Perhaps, you could give it a try?’ Kenny suggested. ‘It might be good to have a hobby, distract you a bit from everything else that’s going on.’
Dee nodded. ‘Glenn said the same. Are you running a workshop?’
‘I am. Feel free to take part, if you want.’
‘I might just do that.’
Dee left him to finish preparing his stall and hurried over to join Andi and Cath at the refreshments tent. ‘Right, what do you need me to do?’ she asked, rubbing her hands together.
‘A hand in putting out all the cups, saucers and plates would be very appreciated,’ Cath told her.
‘I’m on it. Show me where they all are.’
* * *
Crowds flocked into the manor grounds. Dee was sure that it helped that it was a warm, sunny afternoon and that a popular celebrity like Simon was officially opening the event. He was charismatic and charming, and was greeted with cheers and applause when he finished his speech. Then people went off to see – and buy – the wares on display at the stalls, and either watch the crafts people at work or have a go at doing the crafts themselves. Dee was pleased that she’d suggested leaving a list on each stall for people to sign up if they were interested in attending workshops at the art studio when it was open, that would be added income for the artists as well as generating interest in the project. She helped Andi and Cathy serve the never-ending stream of customers wanting refreshments for an hour or so then took a break so that she could ask Simon to value her grandmother’s brooch.
There was quite a queue around Simon Hemingford already. Most people had smaller items such as watches and jewellery but there were a couple with paintings and one with a very old teddy bear. It was fascinating watching Simon value the items. Some people were overjoyed with the amount, but others were disappointed that it wasn’t worth what they’d expected. Which would it be with her grandmother’s brooch, Dee wondered?
Simon’s eyes sparked with interest when Dee passed him the brooch, briefly explaining its history. ‘If I’m not very much mistaken, this is Edwardian.’ He held the brooch in his open palm and looked through the magnifying glass at it, turning it over and examining it from all sides. ‘It definitely is. I would say that this is worth at least ￡4,000, maybe more.’
Dee clasped her hand over her mouth. ‘Really?’ she could hardly believe it.
‘Definitely. Would you like me to put it in an auction for you?’
Dee nodded. ‘Yes, please.’
‘Wait until the end of the valuation session and we’ll discuss it,’ Simon told her.
Dee moved away from the group so Simon could continue with the valuations, her head in a whirl. A sum like that would really help her, it would pay a couple of months’ rent on a flat for a start. And she would need some money for solicitors’ fees.
At the end of the valuation session, Dee went to talk to Simon, handing the brooch over, getting a receipt, and giving her details. He arranged to contact her when he had offers to buy the brooch. ‘I can transfer the money straight into your bank,’ he told her. ‘Minus my small fee, of course.’ He mentioned what Dee thought was a very reasonable fee.
Dee felt like a load had been lifted from her shoulders. Thank you, Grandma, she thought silently. The times Nigel had suggested she sold that brooch, but she’d hung on to it saying that it was sentimental. Even now she was sad to let it go but she was sure her grandma would understand.
* * *
‘I forgot how wonderful it was to be involved in a community project like this,’ she said later as she sat down to have a much-needed break. The crowds had dispersed a lot now and the crafts people were starting to pack away their stalls. ‘And it’s revived my interests in paper crafting. I’m going to start it up again, as a hobby. It will keep me busy and give me a purpose now Nigel and I are over.’
‘Are you certain it’s over?’ Andi cocked her head to one side questioningly. ‘Your husband is a solicitor, isn’t he? I’m guessing that you have a big house and luxurious lifestyle?’
‘Happy to give it up, and my two-timing controlling husband, for a lovely peaceful life doing exactly what I want. I’ve decided that I’m going to try to stay in Port Telwyn.’
‘Good for you,’ Andi told her. She finished her drink. ‘Now, I’d better dash back to the café to help clear up. Are you still on for helping out from Monday?’
‘Definitely. Nigel has threatened to cancel my bank cards so it will be great to earn some money of my own.’
Andi raised her eyebrow. ‘He’s a real piece of work, isn’t he?’ She leaned forward. ‘Well, if it was me, I’d withdraw a load of cash ASAP, in case he carries out his threat.’ She winked and walked off leaving Dee staring after her thoughtfully.
* * *
Dee had been so busy helping that she hadn’t had time to join in Kenny’s painting workshop, but she’d enjoyed the day, which was followed by a pleasant evening with Kenny and the others at The Pirate’s Head. When she finally got back to Primrose Cottage Dee fed Snowy then rolled into bed, exhausted.
She awoke to find sun streaming through a gap in the curtains and someone ringing the door bell. Goodness, morning already!
The rings were more persistent now, as whoever it was had their finger pressed permanently on the bell. She glanced at her phone. No messages and – gosh, it was gone eleven – she must have literally zonked out! Who wanted her so urgently on a Sunday morning? Pulling on her dressing gown she went down to find out. Opening the front door she was astonished to see Nigel standing on the doorstep.
‘Annabel told me where you were staying, so I thought I’d come and see you, talk this misunderstanding through face to face,’ he said firmly.
He must have driven down more or less as soon as he woke up this morning she realised.
Much as she didn’t want to let him in, she didn’t want to be arguing with him on the doorstep, so she led the way into the lounge, determined not to offer him refreshments, or make him welcome in any way.
Nigel glanced around dismissively then sat down in one of the armchairs. Dee took a seat opposite him, her nerves on edge.
Nigel was at his most persuasive. ‘Look, Dee, can’t we put this all behind us and get on with our lives? Arguing is so pointless. I promise I’ll make up for going away on your birthday. I’ll book us a holiday together. You name where you want to go.’
‘I don’t want to go away with you. I don’t want to live with you. I’ve had enough of our one-sided marriage,’ Dee told him.
His face contorted in anger. ‘You’ve had a bloody good life with me, Dee. A nice house, no money problems, you’ve wanted for nothing.’
‘Except a husband who loves me, who puts me first now and again.’
‘For God’s sake, woman, we’ve been together thirty-odd years. Surely you’ve gone past harking after all that sloppiness now.’
‘Well, you haven’t. You just prefer to do it with someone else.’ Dee met his eyes. ‘Are you still in touch with her?’
‘With who?’
‘The woman you went to Portugal with.’
He couldn’t meet her eyes. He was lying.
‘Don’t bother to answer. I know that you are. Well, that’s fine. You’re welcome to her. I’m done. I’ve told you, I want a divorce.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous! How will you live? You can’t afford to rent a place, without my money you won’t have an income.’ He sneered. ‘I’ve warned you I’ll stop your bank cards, and I mean it. I’m not funding your lifestyle when you’ve deserted me.’
Anger soared through her. How bloody dare he! Making out she was deserting him when he had cheated on her, time and time again, never mind the appalling way he’d treated her. ‘Do your worst, I’ll manage until the divorce settlement,’ she told him firmly. ‘I’m entitled to half the house, and some money from the business. I was your unpaid PA for most of our marriage.’
‘I’ll be damned if I sell the house and give you half,’ he stuttered.
‘You’ll be damned if you don’t. We can separate quietly, if you agree to me having half the house and a financial settlement. Or we can fight this through the courts, and believe me, Nigel, I know enough about your shady dealings to bring down your company and leave you penniless. So, what’s it going to be?’ She couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth, that she was actually standing up to Nigel.
Nigel looked incredulous too. He was so red-faced, she thought that he might explode. ‘How dare you blackmail me!’
‘And how dare you cheat on me, again, and expect me to keep turning a blind eye!’ She folded her arms. ‘I’m serious, Nigel. I want a divorce and a fair settlement.’ She paused. ‘And seeing as you insisted that I didn’t work once the children came along, so I couldn’t have an income of my own throughout our marriage, you can pay the rent on my home until the divorce goes through, and my solicitor’s fees. Obviously if you don’t fight the divorce and go for a fair settlement, those fees will be less.’
His face drained of colour. ‘I don’t know what’s happened to you, Deirdre, but you’ve changed. You’re cold, and hard, and money-grabbing.’
‘I’ve woken up to how you treat me and am no longer prepared to be walked all over,’ Dee told him. ‘I’ll get my solicitor to contact you regarding the financial settlement. And I’ll be back in a week or so to pack the rest of my things.’ She nodded. ‘Goodbye, Nigel. Enjoy your life, because I certainly will enjoy mine.’ She opened the front door.
She was shaking after he left. She didn’t know how she’d found the courage to stand up to him face to face. Nigel always had a way of talking her round, making her think she was being unreasonable, making her feel like she’d imagined things.
Well, not this time.
Then she remembered his repeated threat to cancel her bank cards and Andi’s comment when she’d told her about it. She picked up her laptop, signed into their joint bank account and transferred a considerable sum of cash into her private account.
Then she texted Babs and told her the latest developments.
I’m proud of you!
Bab’s reply pinged back.
I’m proud of me, too, Dee thought. I’m finally fighting back.