‘Yes.’ Mr Kieling cleared his throat. ‘It’s about your son’s school fees.’ A red smudge appeared just above Mr Keiling’sAdam’s apple and began snaking its way up his neck. ‘I’ve been trying to get in touch with your husband for some time, as the last three cheques he’s given us have bounced.’
My face mirrored Mr Kieling’s in colour. ‘I’m so sorry. But why has no one mentioned this to me?’
‘It was always Mr Simmons who dealt with fees and financial matters. We rather assumed that you…’
‘Are only good for school runs and housework? Don’t have a first from Oxford in PPE? Am incapable of simple arithmetic?’
Mr Keiling turned purple. I felt awful for making him so uncomfortable, but after the day I’d had, there was little capacity left for sexist bullshit, and no capacity left for beating around the bush. Perhaps if the school had contacted me sooner, I could have spoken to Rob and done some damage limitation on the mess he was wading into.
‘I apologise, Mrs Simmons. I didn’t mean to suggest…’
‘It’s fine. What’s the upshot of these missed payments?’
‘I’m afraid we’re in a tricky spot. All our scholarship places have been filled for the year. If your outstanding bill isn’t settled soon, I’m afraid we’ll have to withdraw Alberto’s place.’
Wow. I leaned back in the leather armchair, wondering if the day could get much worse.
Chapter Six
‘Wasn’t that a bit rash? You can’t give up his school place just like that.’ Cass leaned over and topped up my glass of wine.
‘I’ll grab another bottle,’ said Jasper, getting up from the sofa.
‘Honestly, Cass, what choice did I have? Mr Kieling said the fees would need to be paid within a week, and as we both know, there’s no chance of that.’
‘Couldn’t Hugo and Marion help?’
‘They’re not answering my calls.’
‘No luck with Rob either?’
‘No.’
‘I may be able to help with that,’ said Jasper, placing two bottles, one red, one white, down on the coffee table. ‘He texted me asking if I fancied a drink.’
‘He what? Rob doesn’t even like you!’
‘Thanks,’ said Jasper with a good-natured laugh.
‘You’re not going, I hope?’ said Cass.
‘It’s not the worst idea. I could talk to him and find out what’s going on.’
‘He’s such a coward,’ I said. ‘He doesn’t dare face me, and thinks you’ll be gentle with him. I agree with Jasper, Cass. At least if they meet up, Jasper can try to get to the bottom of things. Perhaps I should come too?’
‘Ah,’ said Jasper, looking awkward. ‘He said he’s not ready to see you yet and if I bring you along, he’ll leave.’
‘Perhaps he’s forgotten I’m his wife? Mind you, if I saw him, I couldn’t guarantee he’d come out of it unscathed, and I wouldn’t want to put you in a tricky position, Jasper, what with you being an officer of the law.’
‘When does he want to meet?’ asked Cass.
Jasper looked at his watch. ‘Now. He texted five minutes ago when I was in the kitchen.’
‘You’d best get going then,’ said Cass. ‘Be sure to give him a slap from me.’
Jasper kissed Cass, grabbed his coat, and let himself out of the house.
We were two-thirds of the way through our second bottle of wine when Jasper returned. ‘That was quick,’ said Cass.
