Chapter 18
The following day Tara couldn’t stop looking at the invite Jack had given her. He’d told her to keep it, seeing how delighted she’d been to receive an invitation. She put it on the kitchen worktop and was just admiring it again. The launch party was clearly set to be a glamorous affair, judging by the company expected there and the location. Like many, Tara had stood on the bay, looking out to the peninsula at the huge art deco house stood proudly there. It cut quite an imposing structure, all alone apart from the clifftops and roaring sea beneath it.
Very dramatic, thought Tara, and how apt to be hosting the first episode of a 1920s murder mystery drama. It filled Tara with a sense of thrill, something she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
It hadn’t always been this way, reflected Tara. She had felt a thrill when first meeting Richard, that first flush of romance when getting to know someone. Richard had wowed her then, back in the day. Being a little older than her, she’d felt almost protected by him. He’d been in the last year of his medical degree as she was just starting. He’d shown her the ropes around the campus and assisted enormously with her studies. He’d made her life at university practically stress-free, forever cooking meals, helping her revise and encouraging her. Richard had been her rock, a sturdy, reliable man who could be depended on. He was also easy on the eye. His large frame was toned by all the rugby he played, which hadn’t gone unnoticed by Tara’s roommates.
Yes, she’d been envied by her friends at university and at home when bringing Richard back to meet her mum and dad. They’d liked him too, everybody had. Apart from Claire. She’dnever taken to him. Tara’s parents had particularly warmed to him when seeing how good he was with their daughter once she got pregnant. It hadn’t been planned, far from it. Being twenty years old with child at university was definitely not in the script. This was where Richard really surpassed himself, insisting he take care of her and do practically everything possible for Tara. Apart from attending lectures, he couldn’t have done more. By this time he’d completed his studies and had started working in a dental practice. He rented a house near to the university and moved Tara in. They’d been happy together, a real team. Over the years, as Tara had also finished her studies, they’d gone from strength to strength, each supporting the other in their careers.
Once again Tara reminisced the day they had bought their beautiful Georgian house, how proud they’d been to have such a stunning home. This was then followed with the memory of Richard setting up his own dental practice, marking the downfall of their marriage. That’s when it all went wrong; because with the new business, came Melissa.
Looking back, Tara often wondered, if Richard hadn’t bought his own practice, would he have remained faithful? Or would it simply have been a matter of time before his eyes wandered? Was there always going to be a Melissa waiting in the wings, ready to destroy her family? She knew Richard was vain, loving any form of attention, maybe it was inevitable, always on the cards?
Anyway, she inhaled deeply, it was all in the past. What was done was done. There was no turning back now. As if on cue, the intercom buzzed, it was Calum returning. Pressing the entry button, she was later surprised to hear voices in the corridor. Calum used his key to open the door and behind him followed Richard. Tara frowned, not expecting to see him. Calum looked at her somewhat apologetically and rolled his eyes, knowing his dad’s presence wouldn’t be wanted here.
‘I parked on the roadside,’ explained Richard. Tara stared at him, knowing full well he’d done that to avoid alerting her. Had he parked in the Augusta House car park, she’d have had to let him in – or not, which is why he chose to surprise her and walk in with Calum.
As usual Calum went straight to his room, he sensed an argument brewing and wanted out of the way.
Tara folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. ‘Well?’ she asked cooly.
‘I… err… thought we might have a chat,’ answered Richard hesitantly.
Tara sighed. Here we go again, she thought dully. He was relentless. She turned to make herself a drink.
‘Please, hear me out,’ he whined, following her to the kitchenette.
‘Look, Richard, there’s really nothing left to say,’ she replied witheringly.
‘But…’ His eyes darted to the invite on the countertop. Tara noticed and objected to him blatantly picking it up to read.
‘Do you mind? Put that back,’ she ordered. She watched his face twist with resentment.
‘What’s this?’ he snapped, waving the card in the air.
The cheek of the man! Tara whipped it from his hand.
‘No concern of yours,’ she spat back.
‘Rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous?’ he snorted. ‘How did you bag that?’ His tone was cruel and mocking. Tara didn’t gratify him with an answer, just stared him coldly in the face. ‘So, who are you going there with?’ he asked, tipping his chin up arrogantly.
‘Mind your own business,’ she replied flatly. This infuriated him even more.
‘Who,Tara?’ he demanded.
‘Get out!’ she shouted, making him flinch.
‘Mum?’ Calum came into the kitchen looking uneasy.
‘It’s OK, love. Dad was just leaving.’ Tara tried to sound as reassuring as possible. Calum looked from one parent to the other. Richard coughed.
‘Yes… I’ll be on my way now, son.’
Tara gave him an evil look and marched to the door. Opening it, she stood waiting for him to move.
‘Right, see you soon, Calum.’ He turned, but Calum had disappeared back into his room.
‘Out,’ Tara repeated, seething with anger. Richard reluctantly made his way to the door, shoulders drooped, defeated. He paused, as if to try speaking to her one last time, but she turned away. Once he passed into the corridor Tara slammed the door shut and bolted it. That was the very last time he’d step foot in here. From now on she’d have to prep Calum into entering Augusta House alone, or at least warn her if his dad intended to visit. Poor Calum, she closed her eyes and fought the urge to cry. Tapping on his bedroom door, she gently called out to him. ‘Calum, can I come in?’
