‘Because then everyone else is so drunk, they won’t remember if you make a serious faux pas?’
‘Exactly.’ She took a step back from him and looked around. ‘Where’s Lucinda? Is she here tonight?’ A few days ago, she’d asked whether his wife was coming to this but thinking about it now, he hadn’t ever answered her question.
‘She’s not, no.’
‘I thought you said your kids were away at her parents’.’
‘She’s gone with them.’
Lucinda had been at the fundraiser a couple of years ago and from memory, she’d won a weekend at a yoga retreat in the Cotswolds after placing a winning – and very generous – bid in the silent auction. It was odd for her not to be here now. Everyone else had brought their partners along. It was a novelty getting this dressed up, to have a chance to be glamorous. Nadia certainly appreciated it.
He closed the gap between them again and she was about to take a step back, nervous at the close proximity, when he dropped a bombshell.
‘Lucinda and I are divorced,’ he said.
If Nadia had heard the news from anyone else, she would’ve doubted its credibility but hearing it from Hudson himself made it real. ‘You’re divorced? Since when?’
‘It was finalised a month or so ago, but we separated in the latter part of last year. It had been a long time coming.’
‘You never said a thing.’ Her heart beat faster. He was single. Just like she was.
‘Easier not to, I suppose. And I feel pretty dumb for not seeing what she was really like – or for ignoring it and assuming things would get better.’
‘I’m so sorry, Hudson.’
‘She moved out a while ago and I got used to being on my own but I needed to establish some stability for the kids, keep a bit of myself private until we all got our heads straight. That’s another reason I never said anything at work.’
‘It must be really hard for all of you.’
‘We should’ve accepted it was over years ago. We’re both happier this way but it’s still been tough on the kids.’
Their conversation was halted by another one of their supporters who wanted to thank them for finding such a delightful venue. The woman kept them chatting for a while, talking about the stunning location, the elegant marquee, the silent auction.
‘I’ve placed a good bid on every single item!’ she said before she spotted a friend and flitted over to them instead.
‘It’s people like that who keep us going,’ Hudson remarked.
‘She was certainly enthusiastic – if she wins everything she’s bid on, she’ll be broke.’
Hudson’s laughter was a tonic given what they’d been talking about, but Nadia couldn’t ignore his admission about his marriage and act as though it had been run-of-the-mill conversation. ‘So, given what we were just talking about, you’re okay?’
‘I’m okay.’ He leaned so close to her that her heart began to thump harder, her hands felt clammy all of a sudden as though this was a date, not a work function. ‘I know people say that it was a joint decision even if it wasn’t, but this really was. The reason it didn’t happen sooner was the kids; neither of us wantthem to suffer – we stayed together first for Beau and then for the two of them. We were over a long time ago.’
If she moved any closer, their lips would touch, and the thought sent her spiralling.
She wanted to reach for his hand and if her feelings didn’t run deeper than a friendship, she might well have done. Was he telling her all of this now because he felt something more towards her?
He stepped back, smiled at someone who said hello on their way to the bar. ‘Carys was unsettled at first but she’s so young, the transition has been a bit easier. Beau… well, Beau is a teenage boy; I won’t lie, it’s been harder with him. He’s been in a bit of trouble at school and I still worry what’s coming my way with him.’
‘You’re a good dad, Hudson.’ Nadia remembered on more than one occasion Hudson having phone calls with his wife that sounded full of tension, asking her what time she’d get away, requesting that she really make an effort. Nadia had tried not to eavesdrop but in a work environment, it was sometimes unavoidable. ‘Do the kids see much of Lucinda?’
‘Not as much as she promises half the time. She’s forever coming up with excuses, but I’ve learned that I can’t make her change; I’d exhaust myself trying. So I’m there to pick up the pieces, to leap in at the last minute.’
It was time to circulate again as more supporters demanded their attention and it was, after all, the whole point of tonight.
‘We can talk later if you need to,’ Nadia said quietly before they joined the throng.
‘I’d like that.’
