‘Jail?’was Clara’s first suggestion.
Diana clearly shared Bernadette’s surprise.‘Clara!’Diana chided.‘The man is an eminent surgeon and a highly regarded pillar of the community.Why would you say that?’
The most regal lady of them all had the perfect answer.‘Because I’ve met him.’
Diana couldn’t even feign outrage.‘You know, for a posh bird, you’re pretty funny.’
‘I’ve heard that said,’ Clara shrugged, a twinkle in her eye.
If Diana noticed that Bernadette hadn’t joined the game, she didn’t say, as she motored on.‘He’s along in Glasgow Central.Apparently he slipped in the shower this morning…’
Bernadette noticed the sketchy details didn’t specify whose shower it was.
‘And banged his head.They’ve run lots of tests and he has a suspected concussion.They want him to stay in overnight, but he’s discharged himself…’
Bernadette had a horrible feeling she knew what was about to come.
‘And him and that tart he married have had a huge fight.Apparently, she wasn’t sympathetic at all.I mean, what kind of woman is that?’
Yep, it was definitely coming.
‘And she’s buggered off and left him there.How could she walk away and leave a sick man?That’s barbaric.She never loved him, you know.Not like I did.’
Still coming.
‘Anyway, I’m so sorry, ladies, but when I told him I was nearby, he begged me to go and collect him and I can’t say no.’
And there it was.Murray bloody Atkins.Narcissist.Liar.Cheat.Manipulative twat.And so menacingly good at playing the game, that he could still get his ex-wife back on the hook with just one phone call.The familiarity of it triggered something deep in Bernadette’s soul and made her shudder.She’d only left Kenneth once, and she’d never gone back, but she’d given in to him time and time and time again, trusted his promises, believed his denials, gone running when he snapped his fingers – at least at first.Bernadette desperately wanted to warn her, to tell her exactly what had happened to him, but again, bit her tongue because Murray would have her nursing registration cancelled before she could say ‘cheating git’ if he ever found out that she’d shared his personal information.Besides, Diana knew exactly what he was like, and yet she was still going – Bernadette doubted that there was anything she could say that would stop her.
Diana picked up her jacket and her bag, then leaned over and hugged them both in turn.‘Let’s get together again when we’re all free.Maybe next month?’
‘Maybe,’ Bernadette agreed, knowing that it wouldn’t happen.There wasn’t going to be another time when the whole group could meet again, because Marge couldn’t be there again.The thought caught her off guard and she had to make a real effort to keep the emotion out of her voice as she said goodbye to Diana.‘You take care, lovely.And remember you know where to find me if you need me.’
‘I have a feeling that’ll be sooner rather than later,’ Clara said under her breath, as they both waved Diana farewell.
‘She’ll learn,’ Bernadette said simply.‘It took me over thirty years to snap and escape Kenneth’s hold.She’s still got time.’
‘I hope so.’Clara lifted her wine glass and they were both immediately aware of a shift in energy.‘So this makes it easier for us to chat.Tell me about Marge.’
‘She’s being moved to palliative care tomorrow, Clara.’
Bernadette watched Clara’s eyes widen as she whispered, ‘Oh no.Poor Marge.’
‘And she asked me to speak to you, because she is going to tell Estelle the truth about her father.I’m sorry, Clara.She feels it’s the right thing to do.As do I.’
Clara barely hesitated.‘Of course it is.I completely understand.If this were my girls…’ She let the words drift off.Clara and Sir Lester had three daughters, all of a very similar age to Estelle, so Bernadette knew she understood Marge’s angst.
‘And I know it’s a big ask, Clara, but Marge would like you to come to the hospital and be there when she tells her.She said she completely understands if you don’t feel you can.And she said not to feel pressure at all, but?—’
‘I’ll do it.’
‘You will?’
‘Yes.’
Bernadette felt an urgent sense of panic that she’d somehow forced Clara to do something that could have huge consequences for her life.‘Look, take your time and think about it.’
‘I don’t need to, Bernadette.’
