The three women at the table suddenly turned their heads in synchronicity, expressions conveying nothing but scorn, and Marge followed their gazes to what had to be the most unlikely, yet strangely unsurprising pair in the room.Murray, of course.But he was standing at a tall table, very obviously leaning in to a conversation with… Marge could barely even allow herself to think that woman’s name, let alone say it.She forced it to speed along the ticker tape of her mind.Lila Anderson.Without a doubt the most abhorrent creature Marge had ever had the misfortune to deal with.She was the one that – more than any of the others – had made Marge mistrust Kenneth’s judgement and wonder if he’d actually lost his mind.And she’d lasted the longest too.At least seven years.Possibly eight.But she was different from the others in one other very significant way – she one hundred per cent, absolutely, without a doubt, knew that Kenneth was married right from the start of their affair.In fact, Marge was utterly sure that the young woman thrived on that as a challenge.The shocking gall of her to show her face here.The audacity.The shamelessness.Marge would have had her tossed out on her ear the minute she’d spotted her, but she’d been too fearful that it would cause a scene that would distress Kenneth’s family and leave everyone here with a scandal to gossip about forevermore.Marge had kept a beady eye on her, ready to intervene if it looked like she was going to pull any kind of attention-seeking stunt, but so far Lila’s efforts were concentrated on the man in front of her.There she was, Marge decided, reeling in her next conquest.Marge almost felt sorry for Murray Atkins.Almost.Not quite.
The chair beside her made a noise on the marble floor as it was pulled out, and Marge turned to see that Bernadette was joining her, and her gaze was going in exactly the same direction that Marge’s had been focused just a few seconds before.
‘Wow.If ever there were two people who deserved each other…’ Bernadette sighed.There was no need to add anything further, because they both knew the full story.Kenneth had never facilitated any kind of relationship between Marge and Bernadette – in fact, he’d insisted that Marge only communicate with his wife on logistical matters and only when he asked her to.But there was no way she could operate as his secretary for as long as she did and not strike up an amicable, courteous, mutually respectful relationship with Mrs Kenneth Manson.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Marge said, with conviction, noticing that Bernadette had a very slight slur to her words, as if she’d already had a couple of glasses of wine, before the one she was currently holding.If anyone in this room deserved a tipple, Marge knew, it was Bernadette.Marge had no idea whether Bernadette was aware of all the other affairs, but given the way she was now eyeing Murray and Lila, she was clearly familiar with her late-ex-husband’s relationship with that particular woman.
‘I know we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but I don’t know how you managed to work with him for so long, Marge.’The wine also seemed to be lowering Bernadette’s inhibitions when it came to topics for discussion.Marge had never heard her be derogatory about Kenneth, even during or after their divorce.
Marge really hoped that Bernadette wasn’t expecting Marge to explain her reasons, because the answer was too complicated, and definitely not one that she wanted to give to his ex-wife at his wake.Bernadette had already been through enough.
‘I know you had respect for him, Marge, but the truth is – and I’m only saying this to you, because you knew him inside and out and I can’t keep up another single second of pretence today – he was a terrible person.’
Marge thought about pointing out that he had had his positive attributes too, or maybe that her experience of him was very different from the way he’d treated his wife, but she refrained, because Bernadette was clearly processing what must be incredibly complicated emotions today.Ergo, the wine and the unexpectedly personal chat.And also, Marge knew that Bernadette wasn’t entirely wrong.Two things could be true.He was both a great doctor and an awful husband.
‘Isn’t it staggering to look around this room.It’s like a history of his life.A chequered, very revealing one that shows exactly who he was.I mean… How many women in here do you think Kenneth slept with while he was married to me, Marge?’
This time, Marge was so astonished by the question she almost literally bit her tongue as she clamped her mouth shut.
But, of course, the computer side of her brain was already up and running with the calculations as it scanned through the list of women she’d just been perusing and a couple more that she hadn’t got to yet.
However, once again, she’d never share that information with Bernadette.Because the truth – the real truth – would break her heart.
4P.M.–6P.M.
17
BERNADETTE
Bernadette put two cups of tea on the table, slid one of them over to the young woman in front of her, then pulled out a chair and joined her.
‘I think I need something a bit stronger than this,’ the other woman said with a sigh.
Bernadette eyed her mug, smiled.‘I think I do too.It’s been quite a day.’She realised something.‘I didn’t even introduce myself properly, I’m Bernadette.’
The young woman gave her a rueful smile.‘As you heard back there, when I was introducing myself to Murray’s wife, I’m Amber.And thank you, Bernadette.For this’ – Amber held up her mug – ‘and for saving me.You must think I’m a complete tit.Or a terrible person.’
‘Definitely neither of those things.But I do think you’ve had quite the day too.’Bernadette thought that might be the understatement of the year.
When Lila Atkins had pulled that curtain back, she wasn’t sure who was more shocked in that room.If Murray Atkins had been in there with heart issues, she’d have been concerned she’d need to wheel in a crash cart.
‘Well, isn’t this cosy.’Lila had spat, as she’d clapped eyes on Amber.‘And who would you be?’
‘I’m Amber.And who would you be?’
‘I would be Lila Atkins.And I’m this idiot’s wife.’
And then, from what could already have been considered a stunning low point, things had deteriorated even further, when Amber had countered with, ‘You meanex-wife?’Her head had then swivelled to Murray.‘You told me you were divorced.So this must be yourex-wife?’
That question had clarified exactly what had happened for all of them.As had Murray’s shamefaced confusion, his refusal to answer the question, and the deflection that came with his next furious outburst.‘How did you find me?Did you do this, Bernadette?Did you call her?How dare you do that!’
Bernadette had recognised the reaction as one she’d seen countless times throughout her marriage – when backed into a corner, go on the attack.
She’d immediately set him straight with rightful indignation ‘Indeed I did not.We take patient confidentiality very seriously in this hospital, Murray.’
He had already turned his aim elsewhere.‘Then what the hell, Lila?Are you having me followed?How could you possibly know I was here?’
Lila had smirked, completely unflustered, almost amused.‘Honey, this isn’t my first infidelity rodeo.There’s an AirTag in your pocket.It told me you were at some address in Glasgow – which clearly wasn’t the private clinic you said you were consulting at today – but by the time I got close, your location had moved to this hospital.It just took me a while to work out what department you were in.I think I’ve been in every room in the building.I was thrown because I was looking for a doctor, however, you appear to be a patient.’
