‘As Marge and I were just discussing, I think where that leaves us is…’ There was a long pause before Bernadette found her words.‘…Sick of all the bullshit secrets.And in need of somewhere to continue this conversation, because I’m enjoying it and I’m famished.What do you say, ladies – fancy joining Marge and I for dinner downstairs and we can lay a few ghosts to rest?That wasn’t a pun.Sorry.It just came out like that.It’s the wine.’
Annabel Stevenson was the first to stand up.‘I think I’m a tad peckish too,’ she said, in a tone of wry amusement that Marge doubted had ever been used in Parliament.
Clara was next.‘I’m feeling rather hungry too.’
‘Starving,’ Diana said, getting to her feet.
Danielle was last, unfurling her long model legs.‘I’m in.I hope they’ve got chips.Today’s my cheat day.’
‘In more ways than one,’ Bernadette quipped, causing a stunned pause, before every woman at the table creased into laughter.
When they regained their composure, they all went downstairs, where they spent the rest of a very unexpected night sharing stories that didn’t flatter Kenneth Manson.
It was almost ten o’clock when Marge excused herself and went to the ladies’.
She was washing her hands in one of the beautiful marble sinks, when Clara Kelaney came in and stood beside her, reaching over for soap and turning on the tap as she spoke to Marge in the mirror.
‘It’s good to finally meet you, Marge.I feel like I’ve known you for a lifetime, even though we’ve never been properly introduced.’
Marge felt her hands begin to shake under the water.‘Likewise.I’ve had a lovely evening.Surreal, but lovely.’Marge wasn’t lying.It had been a night of shared stories and so much laughter that they’d attracted glances from other tables.What must they have looked like?All dressed in black, yet not a mournful demeanour between them.
‘It’s been interesting talking about Kenneth.It did make me wonder if I’ll one day have the same conversations about my husband.I’m afraid Lester has many of the same predilections and weaknesses.’
Marge could feel sweat patches forming under her arms.This woman was so beautiful, so cool, so composed.Over the years, as Sir Lester’s assistant and then Kenneth’s secretary, she’d dealt with politicians, and famous athletes, and millionaires and even a not-so-minor royal, and she had never felt more intimidated than she did now.
‘But then, I’m sure you know that.You used to work with my husband, many years ago.In fact, it must have been about thirty years ago?Am I right?’
‘Yes, you are.’This was like a car crash unfolding in slow motion right in front of her and Marge couldn’t find the brake pedal.
Still, Clara Kelaney was cool and composed.‘I saw you come in earlier with a young woman?Is that your daughter?’
Marge shook her head.‘No.That’s my daughter’s friend.Estelle isn’t here today.’
Estelle.Her thirty-year-old daughter.
‘Estelle,’ Clara repeated softly.
‘Yes.’
There was a pause, before Clara said, ‘If it’s all right with you, I think I’d very much like to speak to you about Estelle.Do you have time to talk now?’
8P.M.–10P.M.
25
BERNADETTE
Bernadette rushed along the icy road, the wind biting her ears as she went.There had been no point bringing the car, because the cafe they met in every year on this date was just along the road from the hospital and it was just as quick to walk.Although, she hadn’t factored in the possibility of hypothermia, which was getting more likely by the second.
When she burst into Carlo’s Cafe, she spotted Lady Clara Kelaney and Diana Atkins, already at a table for six in the corner, the same one they reserved every year, although this year their number was sorely diminished.
The twenty-first of February.Inspired by her ex-husband’s infidelities and Danielle’s throwaway comment about the one day a week that she ate chips, it had been solemnly nicknamed Cheat Day on that first night they met in the St Kentigern Hotel, and commemorated every year until now.It had been a wonderful adventure, a true feat of forgiveness and sisterhood and Bernadette had been grateful for the love, the mutual support and the laughs.It was also a strictly no-judgement zone because they were well aware that there had been nuggets of fault in them all.Danielle had no idea he was married at first but had continued to see him after she discovered the truth because she’d stupidly fallen for the “we lead separate lives” lie.Annabel should have known but had been too swept away to do her due diligence – especially as she’d shagged him in a hotel room at Gleneagles two hours after meeting him at a gala ball.Diana had of course known that Kenneth was married, yet she’d fallen for his persuasive charms.In fact, she’d also been married to Murray at the time, and her interlude with Kenneth had been a revenge fling because she’d found out Murray was shagging his mixed doubles partner at their tennis club.Meanwhile, Bernadette had been aware of them all and done nothing to warn them.And as for Clara Kelaney and Marge – given their connection, they more than qualified to have a seat at the Cheat Day table too.
‘Bernadette!’Diana was the first to jump up and greet her with a tight squeeze.She’d never married again after her divorce from Murray, and his subsequent remarriage to Lila had devastated her.Every year, she’d regaled them with rumours that Murray and Lila were on the rocks, and Bernadette had realised somewhere along the line that it was wishful thinking.Perhaps today’s antics, however, would suggest that she was right.Not that Bernadette could share a single word about that – much as she adored Diana, she was far too professional to break patient confidentiality.
‘Hello, my love,’ Bernadette gushed as she returned the hug, truly delighted to see her.
When she released her, Clara was already on her feet and next in line for a hug.
