For the first time since she got there, Bernadette’s eyes filled with tears. It was the kindness that did it. She could handle aggression, and disdain, and anxiety and unpleasant truths, because that was what she was used to, but the kindness madeher soul melt. The gods had been on her side when they’d helped her create this incredible woman in front of her.
‘Thanks, but I’m going to go to Auntie Sarah’s for a while until I find somewhere just for me.’ That thought pushed the tears back. Her own place. Hers. No one looking over her shoulder, no demands, no tension. Just hers. That was the picture she was going to hang on to today until it was all over, the mental image that was going to get her through. That, and the fact that Nina had been so supportive.
Bernadette felt a niggle of guilt. She’d known nothing about Kenneth warning Nina off Gerry. What an arse. Why hadn’t Nina mentioned it? Why hadn’t she known? Had she been so busy keeping the peace and walking on eggshells that she hadn’t noticed what was going on under her nose? Kenneth was forever telling her what a terrible wife she was. She just prayed her kids didn’t think she’d been a crap mum too.
Nina spoke up. ‘Do me a favour then – if it suits, make it near here, Mum. We’d love to have you closer. The boys would love to see you even more. And then when you meet someone else…’
‘Trust me, I’m never going to meet someone else. I’ve had enough of men for a lifetime.’
It was meant as a joke, but there was no hiding the grain of truth in there.
‘Do you think Dad will?’
‘What? Meet someone else? I don’t know. I suppose he will.’ It wasn’t a scenario she’d contemplated, hadn’t thought that far ahead. Over the years, she’d thought he might have played the field at those conventions he went to – heaven knows he was good enough with the charm – but she’d long since ceased to care. God help the poor woman who fell for Kenneth Anderson. Bernadette could see how it could happen.The distinguished, attractive looks, the greying hair that worked just fine for George Clooney. Add in a shade of Piers Brosnan, Sean Connery’s accent and the prestigious medical career, and there was no denying that on the surface, he was a catch. There was every chance that some other woman out there would step into her shoes. Whoever it was, she was welcome to them – but she just hoped that the deluded soul wouldn’t regret it as Bernadette had done.
Nina leaned over and hugged her. ‘As long as you’re okay, Mum. We love you.’
‘I love you too, pet. I can’t tell you how much or how proud I am of you. And thank you. I was dreading telling you all this. I’m so grateful you took it so well.’
‘So what are you going to do now?’ Nina asked, as they both stood up.
Bernadette leaned into the playpen to lift Milo out and give him a hug goodbye.
‘I’m going to tell your brother. I don’t mind telling you I’m not looking forward to it.’
The look of concern on Nina’s face said it all. ‘Yeah, that one might not go quite so smoothly.’
12
Lila
The receptionist at the hotel didn’t bat an eyelid when Lila checked in with no luggage, nor when she paid with the company credit card. It was a bit naughty, but her organisation had so many employees that she knew they didn’t go through the credit card statements and query the transactions. It wasn’t like she was charging them for a fortnight in Barbados or a new pair of Jimmy Choos.
These were just little perks of the job.
She could have waited for Ken and let him foot the bill as she’d planned earlier, but she wanted to get in and think about what she was going to do. And anyway, it was already noon and he clearly wasn’t here yet. Occupational hazard. Surgeries always ran late. It was something she’d need to get used to when they were married.
When she got to the room, she realised her heart was still beating a little faster than usual but she wasn’t sure if that was the double espresso she’d picked up from Starbucks on the way here, or the phone calls she’d made. She paused, did a quick assessment – nope, no regret about making them. Although, she still wasn’t sure what the hell she’d have said if the wife had picked up. Bernadette. She preferred to just call her ‘the wife’. More impersonal. It wasn’t like they were ever going to be friends, although, no doubt their paths would cross at Ken’s family functions in the future. That was fine. Lilawas prepared to be civil and show them all exactly why Ken had moved on and chosen to leave his marriage for her.
Her plans to slip into the bath were shelved when she realised that would be a waste of the black slutty knickers and curve-enhancing bra that he’d asked her to wear. Actually that wasn’t true – he’d just suggested two outfits and told her to wear one of them. She loved that he knew what he wanted and didn’t care that he made demands. It just showed how much he loved her. She’d grown up with her father calling the shots and her mother hanging on his every word and look how happy they were now.
Not that this was anything like her parents. Urgh, she didn’t want to think about them sneaking to hotels in the middle of the day. No, what she and Ken had was incredible, passionate, dangerous.
Instead, she peeled off her clothes, leaving on just her underwear, stockings and stilettos. Ken could take the rest off when he got there and then he could…
A knock at the door.
This had better not be housekeeping or they were going to have a story to tell their pals down the pub tonight.
She opened the door and there he was, her gorgeous doctor. In his suit and with his grey hair swept back, he looked like he’d just walked off the set ofGrey’s Anatomy. Strolling in, his sexy grin lit up his face when he saw her outfit.
‘You.’ Kiss. ‘Are.’ Kiss. ‘Bloody.’ Kiss. ‘Irresistible.’
Then another kiss, one that lasted a long time, spread to many parts of her body, until he’d claimed every inch of her. It was his routine, and he rarely veered from it. She wasn’t complaining. He liked things a certain way and the thrill of his commands turned her on like no other guy ever had.
‘Get on top, right now,’ he ordered, and she was happy to oblige. She pushed him back and rode him until they both came, in a shudder of ecstasy that probably contravened theplease respect the other guests by keeping the noise downsigns in the hall.
Only when they were done, did she realise that he was still fully clothed, only a slightly squinty tie and a lowered zip giving a hint of what had just happened. Not that she cared. It just showed how desperate he’d been to have her that he didn’t even stop to undress.
