Chapter 27 #2
‘His real name is Sean Duvivier,’ Marian said. ‘John Peters is his pen name. Did you know him when he was a little boy coming here for his holidays? Isn’t he around your age?’
‘I think he’s a bit younger,’ Tricia replied. ‘But no, I didn’t know him at all. I grew up nearby, but I didn’t even know Fred until we met at college in Dublin. I don’t think he would have known John Peters either. He played with his school friends when he was a child, not with summer visitors.’
‘I suppose not,’ Marian remarked. ‘Well, I’m glad you don’t hate me for what I just told you.’
‘Of course I don’t,’ Tricia assured her. ‘It was an unfortunate accident. I don’t think anyone in the family will hate you either.’
‘Maybe. But Theo does, that’s for sure. He left in a rage,’ Marian said glumly, deciding not to go into Theo’s relationship with Helen.
She had probably blown that up out of all proportion anyway.
Theo couldn’t possibly be in love with his former girlfriend, Marian told herself.
‘I don’t know where he went. He was absolutely furious. ’
‘Oh, I’m sure that was just a fit of jealousy,’ Tricia said. ‘I’d say he’ll be back.’
‘You don’t know Theo,’ Marian said. ‘He can stay mad for a very long time. And what about Sylvia? How will she react now that her story will be out in the open? She might think I spilled the beans on her, too, when she finds out what I did.’
‘Sylvia?’ Tricia let out a laugh. ‘She’s revelling in all the attention.
Now she will be the supercool star in everyone’s eyes.
I think she has been waiting for the perfect moment to reveal all about her Parisian adventures.
She couldn’t tell anyone at the time; that would have been too shocking and she would have been thought of as the scarlet woman.
But now? It will be seen as the most daring, exciting thing any woman ever did. ’
‘You don’t think it will cause scandal?’ Marian asked.
‘Maybe in some people’s eyes. Those holier-than-thou women on the Tidy Towns committee or wherever they hang out. But Sylvia won’t care. She can handle them.’
‘Yes, I’m sure you’re right,’ Marian said, feeling a little more cheerful.
‘She might even be grateful to you for forcing her hand,’ Tricia remarked, smirking. She held out the plate with the brownies. ‘Here, have another one. They’re very therapeutic, don’t you think?’
‘They certainly make me feel more hopeful,’ Marian said, taking another brownie. ‘Not so much about Theo, but about my role in the creation of that novel. I think Theo is a lost cause. I’ve wrecked every chance of a reconciliation.’
‘If that’s true, maybe he doesn’t deserve you,’ Tricia said. ‘If he has any sense at all, he’ll see what a wonderful woman you are and forgive you. If there really is anything to forgive, I mean,’ she added, helping herself to another brownie.
‘Oh, I think what I did was awful,’ Marian said with a deep sigh. ‘Careless and stupid. But maybe not telling him straight away was the worst bit.’
Tricia leaned forward and looked at Marian. ‘How did you feel about John Peters? I mean, when you were having dinner with him? Great-looking guy, I have to say. I bet he has a bit of that French charm, too.’
Marian felt her cheeks flush. ‘He’s very attractive, I give you that. But what he did was very underhand and mean. And then that he had no sympathy at all for the Fleury family was a bit of a turn-off for me.’
‘Just a bit?’ Tricia asked, raising an eyebrow. ‘So you do still find him attractive?’
Marian shook her head. ‘Not any more. Not after the way he talked to Theo. It was as if Sean went out of his way to make Theo suspect that there was something between him and me. And of course Theo believed that and then we had a row and he walked off. I’ll never see him again.
’ Marian buried her face in her hands. She started to sob, tears streaming down her cheeks, a feeling of hopelessness and deep sadness overwhelming her.
Tricia put her hand on Marian’s shoulder. ‘Have a good cry. Let it all out and then…’
‘Then what?’ Marian asked, lifting her tear-stained face to stare at Tricia.
‘Then move on,’ Tricia urged. ‘Go back to work, do the things you enjoy and above all, make peace with yourself. All that self-loathing is very destructive.’ Tricia took a paper napkin from the tray and handed it to Marian.
‘Here. Dry your eyes and then try to think of something positive. Something you’re looking forward to. ’
‘I’m not sure there is anything,’ Marian mumbled as she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
‘Well, I’m looking forward to Sylvia’s interview tomorrow,’ Tricia declared. ‘And the reaction in town after that. It’ll be fun to hear what people will say in the pubs and cafés.’
‘Yes,’ Marian agreed, trying her best to think of something other than her misery. ‘I’m looking forward to that too. But I don’t know what to do about my work with Pierce. Should I quit? I don’t want to work with John Peters. I don’t even want to see him again.’
‘I think you should have a chat with Pierce and tell him what happened. He might take you off the John Peters campaign. I’m sure he’ll understand how you feel.’
‘Yes, you’re right. That’s what I should do. I’ll call him in a minute. I’m going to tell him everything,’ Marian announced. ‘It’s not fair to keep him in the dark about my role in the novel.’
‘Maybe it would be best if you went to Claire and Pierce’s house tonight?’ Tricia suggested. ‘Then you can tell them both. Claire needs to know too. After all, she’s your sister.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ Marian said, feeling a pang of guilt at not having shared everything with Claire. ‘I should have told her a long time ago and I should have spent more time with her instead of being so preoccupied with my own problems.’
‘Oh, she was busy being on her honeymoon and then doing up their house and everything,’ Tricia said. ‘So please don’t feel bad about not telling her.’
‘Thanks, Tricia. You’re a darling,’ Marian said with a surge of affection for Tricia, who had been such a friend from the moment they met.
‘You’re welcome,’ Tricia said. ‘Come on, wipe your tears, have another brownie and then call your sister and ask if you can come over tonight.’
Marian laughed and took the last brownie on the plate. ‘They should be recommended by doctors for depressed people.’ She stuffed the whole brownie into her mouth and then took her phone from her handbag. ‘I’ll call Claire right now,’ she said when she had swallowed her mouthful.
‘Excellent.’ Tricia got up and put the mugs and the empty plate on the tray. ‘I’ll put this in the kitchen while you call.’
Marian clicked on Claire’s number and waited for an answer.
‘Hi, Marian,’ Claire said almost immediately. ‘Where are you? Pierce said you ran off just after lunch and didn’t come back. Something about Noel’s office and Theo. And then you told him you weren’t well.’
‘I’m at Tricia’s house,’ Marian replied, suddenly feeling that what had happened with Theo was a long time ago.
‘What are you doing there?’ Claire asked. ‘And where is Theo?’
‘It’s a long story,’ Marian said. ‘We had a row and then I was too upset to come back to the office. I was wondering if you and Pierce are home tonight? I’ll tell you everything then.’
‘Yes, we’re home,’ Claire said. ‘Why don’t you come over straight away? I’m just putting a chicken in the oven to roast and we can’t eat all of it. We’d love to see you.’
‘Thanks, that sounds lovely,’ Marian said. ‘I’ll just go home and tidy up and then I’ll be over at your house in about forty-five minutes.’
‘Perfect,’ Claire said. ‘See you then.’
Marian got up from the sofa just as Tricia came back. ‘I’m going to Claire’s,’ she said. ‘She just invited me to a roast chicken dinner. Not sure I can cope with food after all the brownies, though, but I have to try.’
‘By the time you sit down to dinner, you’ll be hungry again,’ Tricia said.
‘Great that you get to talk to them both. I know it won’t be easy, but Claire will understand.
After all, she was hiding her real identity for months last year and then we were all shocked to hear the revelation about your side of the Fleurys. ’
‘I know but at least she didn’t tell anyone outside the family,’ Marian said. ‘Now I have to confess that I was the instigator of all the gossip.’
‘Like I said, I’m sure Claire will understand,’ Tricia said.
‘I hope you’re right,’ Marian said without conviction. Claire might be able to accept Marian’s story. But what about all the other members of the Fleury family? Would they be able to forgive her, or would she have to leave Magnolia Manor in disgrace?