She took a deep breath and prepared to begin as Jim released her. She sat up slightly and realised it was just after three in the morning meaning sleep really might not be an option, but for different reasons now.
“We had a lovely dinner and lots of laughs and in Abby’s case quite a bit to drink.” She giggled.
“You do know that my brother and I have similar feelings on drinking to excess, don’t you?” he asked with a smile.
“Yes, I remember Abby getting told off at the birthday dinner at your parent’s house, but Abby is not my responsibility and she wasn’t legless. A little merry maybe and Amanda was taking her home.”
“Well, Bobby won’t have been thrilled about it, but I guess that’s his problem, not mine. Tell me about your night,” he repeated.
“There’s not much to tell,” she said calmly.
“I doubt that. Please, just talk to me.” He stroked her hair down her back, twirling the ends between his fingers.
“We really were just chatting over dinner and laughing, but then the others spotted someone they knew and obviously didn’t like. I turned and saw this blonde woman heading towards us and this is possibly the bit that you won’t like.” She sighed.
“Why? Who was it? Do I know her?”
“Yes. I didn’t know who she was until she spoke to the others and then I realised she was number three.” She left the words hanging there, waiting for them to resonate then winced as she waited for his reaction.
“What?” he cried and leapt up, sending her flying back onto her own side of the bed. “Maddie was there and she came over to you? What the fuck was she doing there? What did she want? What did she say? What did you say? She has no right to come anywhere near you!” he raged as he stared at Tasha, roughly pushing a hand through his slightly messy hair.
“Are you mad at me?” Her concern and feeling shaken by events was evident.
He broke his own stare with a blink before climbing back onto the bed. “No, of course not. You couldn’t have known she’d be there. Tell me what happened, honey.” He pulled her close to him again.
“She was okay with Abby, but referred to Sara as her predecessor and Amanda as her successor and then she turned to me.” Tasha paused briefly.
“What did she say to you? Was she unpleasant?” He kissed the top of her head.
“Not really. She just said I wasn’t your usual type and when I said I wasn’t sure what she expected me to say to that she saidor maybe you are and that’s why we’re the ex-wives. Then she made sure I knew who she was,” Tasha explained cautiously.
“Then what?” encouraged Jim.
“I confirmed I knew who she was and that Philip had mentioned her once, and Lizzie. To which she keenly asked if you’d mentioned her.”
He shook his head. “Go on.”
“I said no, but you’d told me she was a failed actress who turned to porn and that Philip had explained that she was less than maternal towards him and Lizzie.”
“This is another reason for you to steer clear of my ex-wives, Tasha.” He sounded thoroughly exasperated, but Tasha was unsure whether it was with Maddie, the situation or her.
“Sorry,” she almost whispered. “Abby and Sara laughed but Amanda looked embarrassed and a little scared,” revealed Tasha.
“I wish you’d get embarrassed and a little scared.” He sighed.
“She saidno wonder you have pissed Mickie offand laughed before waving to someone who had just come in and then before she left she saidgood luck, future Mrs Maybury.”
“I hate this, Tasha. I don’t want you to be tainted by these people. There is a reason why she is my ex-wife, why they all are. Fucking hell!” He startled her again with his raised voice, making her shift nervously in his embrace.
She looked up at him, hoping to find something beyond annoyance and exasperation. “I’m sorry that I always seem to make you mad and get into these fixes.”
He looked down at her and suddenly felt as though he was dealing with a young and naïve child who had a knack of making mistakes even when she was doing what she considered the right thing.
“I am so sorry,” she repeated sounding as if she was going to cry.
“Oh, Tasha. What am I going to do with you?”
“Just love me,” she replied, almost crying out for his love and reassurance.
