60
Christie opened the letter addressed to her with trepidation. It looked official and she was dreading it being from Stephen’s solicitors, pushing her for some financial indication. To her relief, it was from the county court, stating that her decree nisi would be announced in two weeks’ time. Good, at least that side of things was ticking along nicely. The sooner she was divorced from Stephen the better. Would he remarry Sophie straight away? So what if he did? Christie knew that there had to be some sort of arrangement regarding money before the decree absolute was given. Even more reason why Stephen would start to pile on the pressure. She could almost feel the net closing in on her.
Once again she thought of all the hard work she had poured into The Templar. The bedrooms were a triumph, thanks to Daniel. It was hardly surprising that they were full again. Looking back over the books from last year told Christie The Templar had never been so full, apart from when Lord Cavendish-Blake had married and the whole village was packed with reporters and journalists. Christie knew instinctively the place could be a gold mine when she first clapped eyes on it. She immediately saw The Templar’s potential. Stephen had agreed, seeing her vision and being swept along with her enthusiasm.
How things had changed, and in such a relatively short space of time, thought Christie as she glanced down again at the letter. It felt strange seeing her marriage dissolving in black and white on paper. It made it legal. This really was the end.
*
‘This came today.’ The ripped envelope containing a letter was plonked in front of him.
‘You opened my mail?’ Stephen asked incredulously.
‘Yeah, why not?’
‘Because, Sophie, it was addressed tome.’
‘So, it concerns me too,’ she batted back. ‘Look, there’s my name.’ A podgy finger pointed to the title “co-respondent” where her name did indeed appear.
‘That’s not the point. Don’t open my mail again,’ he replied through gritted teeth.
‘Sor-ry,’ she said with sarcasm. ‘Good news though isn’t it, about the nisi coming through soon?’
Stephen remained silent. Was it? His eyes moved sideways and assessed her. Sophie was heavily pregnant now. Being small made her look even bigger and swollen. Her ankles, wrists and face were bloated. She walked slowly, with great effort, and she constantly panted. His eyes moved down to her huge stomach and a part of him feared she’d never be able to push it out.Himout. He quickly corrected his thoughts. His son. This was why he was sat here, with this letter in his hand.
Looking at Sophie though, his mind couldn’t stop comparing her to Christie’s svelte body. How he missed that; a twitch in his trousers made him shift guiltily. But it wasn’t just physical, Stephen dully realized. Christie was practical, excellent at managing money, well at managing anything really. She had been the “sensible” one between them, leaving him to act the lad with his mates while she sorted everything out. How it had all changed.
‘I said, it’s good news isn’t it?’
‘Hmm.’ He pretended to read the letter in concentration.
‘We’ll have to start planning our wedding.’
Stephen looked up and blinked. ‘Pardon?’
‘Well, once your divorce comes through, you’ll be free to marry.’ A puffy, pale face stared at him.
‘I’m not sure we’ll be able to afford it.’
‘I thought you said you’ll get a decent settlement?’ The alarm in her voice was evident. She glared at him accusingly.
‘Yes… but—’
‘When’s it coming?’ she interrupted with force. What had happened to that sweet, caring girl he used to know? Where had she disappeared to and more to the point, who was this… this demanding, imposing woman who had replaced her? Memories of how she had enticed him with her beguiling looks, offered comfort and support when things hadn’t been great with Christie seemed just a blur now.
At first he had been more than happy to confide in her, found himself unwinding at work, when at home he’d felt pressured by Christie’s expectations. Now he could see that his wife had ambition and drive. Not like Sophie, who had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, she was going to be a “stay-at-home mum”. The chances of her even working part-time to help tide them over were remote.
He couldn’t picture being in this position with Christie. Far from it. She would be horrified at his debts that were racking up. They didn’t seem to worry Sophie though; she was adding to them by the day. Every evening on his return from work, she’d be showing him the latest “can’t do without” item.
‘Do we really need to buy these clothes yet? They’re aged twelve months.’
‘He’ll be in them before we know it.’ She’d smiled, patting her bump. Stephen shook his head in despair. Was there no stopping her? In the end he’d retrieved his credit cards. Sophie couldn’t be trusted to use them sensibly. On doing so, he suddenly realised how Christie must have felt. He too, had spent money foolishly, selfishly even. At least Sophie had been buying for their baby.
Often he would think of Christie, imagining her there in her pub, tucked away in the Cotswolds. He could have been there too, running The Templar and making it a thriving success, coining it in, when instead…
‘I said, when’s the money coming?’ Sophie’s loud voice made him jump. He closed his eyes.
‘Soon.’
‘It better, ’cos there’s no way my baby is doing without.’
He opened his eyelids to find her face shoved in his. His son, he reminded himself, he had to think of him.
