Chapter 4 #2
All three women had reached a point in their lives where their offspring had flown the nest and they were readjusting to a new stage where their main focus was no longer the children, but one where they could now concentrate on themselves and build a different kind of future.
The friends had often spoken about what they would do with all their free time once they had shaken off the daily parental duties: the spa days they would indulge in, the theatre trips to London and the short European city breaks for shopping they would plan.
Tess had also imagined spending more time with Charles, anticipating that he might take early retirement from the law practice where he was a partner, sell his share of the business and free up some money to travel to far-flung places, but those dreams had evaporated into thin air now.
Charles clearly had plans of his own which didn’t involve Tess at all.
‘Do you think he’s done it before?’
Tess’s brow furrowed as she was interrupted in her musing by Gina’s question. ‘What?’
‘Charles?’ Gina urged. ‘Do you think he’s done this kind of thing before? I mean, it wouldn’t be that surprising, now we know what he’s capable of. He’s an attractive man: persuasive, eloquent, and charming. It’s not a huge stretch of the imagination.’
‘No!’ Tess wasn’t sure why she’d felt the need to defend Charles, not when he’d betrayed her, but she knew Charles better than anyone, and she would have known with certainty if he had ever cheated on her before.
Wouldn’t she? She let out an audible sigh.
Why did this have to happen now, just when they should be stepping back and enjoying their autumn years together?
She glanced from Gina to Suzy and gave a smile, grateful to them for being there, even if Gina’s sometimes pertinent questions made her hackles rise, but then Gina had always been forthright and outspoken; she shouldn’t have expected anything less.
Both her friends would support her through this new, unwelcome stage in her life, but Tess was angry and annoyed that she even found herself in this position.
Tess had always been comfortable – now she wondered if she’d been smug even – being at the centre of their tight friendship group, offering her support and words of wisdom when the others had needed it, not believing for one moment that the tables would be turned and she would be the one in the midst of an emotional trauma, needing their support.
‘The thing is, I know that Charles loved me. He was a good husband and father, supportive of our family, so I just can’t understand why he’s done this.’
Tess was certain she was repeating herself, but it was as though she was searching for answers, waiting for someone to tell her why it had happened.
She might have known that Gina would give it to her straight.
‘Stop!’ Gina was on her haunches beside Tess’s chair.
She took hold of her hands, looking at her imploringly.
‘You’re not getting it. Charles has let you down, big time.
He’s lied to you and cheated, and whatever way you look at, that’s no way to support his family.
He may have been that man you talk about once, but he’s not that man any more.
It hurts, I know, but you have to accept what’s happened.
You have to think of yourself now and secure your own future.
You can’t rely or depend on him any more because he’ll only be looking after his and this new woman’s interests. ’
Gina’s words cut Tess deep into her heart and she wanted to rail against her, to make her stop talking, from saying such hurtful and unkind things, but then it wasn’t Gina who was at fault, she knew that, but Charles, the man she loved, however much Tess might not want to accept that reality.
‘Being a lawyer, Charles will have all the angles covered so you need to find your own solicitor. A good one. Has Charles said what he intends to do about the house?’
Tess’s open-mouthed expression gave away her dismay.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, having a mistress is an expensive hobby. I’m guessing he’ll need to free up some money to fund his new lifestyle. All I’m saying is that he might suggest selling the house.’
‘No! He couldn’t. He wouldn’t do that. Would he, Suzy?’
Her friend simply shrugged, looking towards Gina as though she held all the answers.
‘No, I wouldn’t let him!’ Tess protested.
‘Well, just have your senses about you and don’t let Charles dictate what he’s going to take from this marriage,’ Gina said.
Tess felt her breath catch in her throat.
She’d been consumed with the thought of going into the future alone, without Charles at her side, wondering how she would cope, but she hadn’t even considered that she might be forced to move out of her beloved home, Hollyhocks Cottage.
No, it seemed Charles was capable of many things, but surely not that?
She felt a resolve travel the length of her spine.
She might not be able to do anything about Charles’s decision to bring an end to their marriage, but she would do everything in her power to hold on to the home that she loved.