We moved closer, partly to watch what would happen, partly so we could explain to the police who he was and if they needed to know any background.
A police officer took hold of Richard, forcing him away from the security guard. "What's your name?" he asked Richard.
Richard responded with a tirade of abuse, something along the lines of paying taxes and being treated appallingly. I saw the cuffs appear in the hands of another officer.
"Does anyone have any details for this man seeing as he's refusing to provide us with any?" the officer asked.
I stepped forward, gave Richard's name and address. It was irrelevant who he was, or who his father was, he had no right to treat anyone the way he had done.
"What's your relationship to him?" another officer asked. The first police car had since been joined by a second.
"I'm his business partner." I gave my name.
"She's my fucking girlfriend and all this is her fault," Richard said.
I shook my head. "We did live together until twelve months ago."
"And he's been harassing you tonight?" the officer said.
Jackson spoke from behind me. "He's been abusive towards her and if I hadn't had been present I suspect he would've been physically aggressive. I believe his current girlfriend is at his apartment. Vanessa will make a complaint about his behavior."
"Sure. In the meantime, we'll let him sober up in the cells. Might give him a bit of a reality check." A police van pulled up, the back opened and Richard was deposited, still shouting commands and threats.
"He'll fall asleep shortly," I said. "Remind him of what he's done when he wakes up. Even better if you can show video evidence of it."
The officer laughed. "We'll try. Have a good rest of your evening."
"Are you okay?" Simone headed over to us. "Come in and get a drink. I didn't realize how drunk he was at first else I would've had him taken out earlier."
"I'm so sorry, Simone," I said. "We've caused a scene – I really hope it hasn't spoilt the evening." I was running through my head what I could offer her to put right Richard's behavior. I wasn't responsible for it, but he was still part of the company and it was going to reflect badly on us.
"It hasn't. Nearly everybody had gone, except the employees and they enjoyed the show. What was his problem?" Simone assured me and looked angry on my behalf. We walked inside and she jumped behind the bar. Alice appeared too, looking concerned.
"He isn't getting his own way," I said. "Honestly, I don't think I want anything to drink. Let's just get everything tidied and we can go home."
Simone leaned on her elbows. "Are you sure?"
Jackson nodded and put an arm around my shoulders. I found myself leaning into him and for a moment my eyes welled up with tears. "Well done you," I said, trying to smile at him, not wanting to cry in front of everyone.
"What for?" He looked puzzled.
"Not hitting him. When he called me a slut I thought you were going to knock him into next week," I said, managing that smile.
Jackson shook his head, Simone and Alice both watching us. "No point. But tomorrow we are going to the police station so you can lodge a complaint against him. There's nothing the police can do but it puts in on record what he was like tonight and I'll make sure the security guard presses charges. Has he done anything like this before since you've split up?"
"No. I've had a few drunken voicemails left – I still have those – but he's never sought me out except after I first moved out and he was demanding I came back. I'm not surprised he's done this, given he's no longer got access to the accounts and he knows there's going to be a court-ordered sale of both the company and the apartment..." I paused and took a breath. "Alice, are you okay finishing off? Simone, I'm so sorry this has marred your evening."
Simone shook her head. "It's nice to have a drama where I'm not involved. My ex is currently still in prison, so I do understand where you're coming from"
I looked at her in shocked curiosity. In my research on her, it had never come up.
Simone reached for my hand. "It's a long story that is best told over a bottle of gin. Go home. I'll help Alice and I'll see you Thursday if not before. It'll be strange not speaking to you every day."
"When's your day off?" I asked impetuously. It would be odd to not see her.
"Next Monday. I'll see you then as well. Now, go." She leaned over the bar and gave me a quick peck and then Jackson. "Take care of her; she's precious."
"I will," Jackson said, threading his arm around my waist and leading me outside to the taxi rank. "I'm not asking you if you're staying at mine tonight. We're heading there now. I know you have stuff there from last weekend but if you want to pick more up we can do that."
