Chapter 29
Tara lay in bed, thoroughly enjoying a much-deserved lie in. It was Sunday morning and normally she’d be up early, either dropping Calum off for football practice or catching up with housework. But not today. Calum was at his dad’s this weekend, after much coaxing on Richard’s behalf, and, in tune with her new outlook on life, Tara had decided to ditch the cleaning. In fact, she thought stretching languidly beneath the bedsheets, she wasn’t going to clean ever again. Why should her spare time be spent doing chores, when she worked very hard all week? Actually, working full time was very shortly about to change too. Tara had notified the hospital that she intended to reduce her hours. And now, Tara had also decided to employ a cleaner, someone to come in for a few hours a week and keep on top of the place – and do the ironing. She hated ironing. All this was going to come at a cost, of course, but that didn’t worry her judging by the way things were going with Richard.
The notice he had received from the court regarding their hearing date had already proved fruitful. Obviously the details outlining what Tara was applying for had well and truly put the frighteners on him. So much so he had voluntarily upped the maintenance. Well, that was a start, she’d thought with contempt, but if it was merely a ploy to try and stop her going for more and halting the court proceedings, he was badly mistaken. Tara had chosen to stay quiet for the moment when Richard came to collect Calum. The anxious, hopeful look on his face made her stomach turn. Yes, she’d take the increase in maintenance, but that alone was not nearly enough. And they both knew it. She refused to discuss such matters with him in front of Calum so had remained tight-lipped. All the while,Claire was peddling away in the background, seeking financial information regarding Richard’s income and the dental practice. By law, he had to comply with the requests being made in preparation for the court hearing, once all the facts and figures had been collated.
Basically, Richard was sweating. He knew the net was closing in and the fear inside him was steadily on the rise. Topping it all, he was taking desperate measures to try and conceal all this from Melissa, who was spending his money like it was going out of fashion. She was also growing bigger by the minute. A jolt of panic shot through him at one point – what if she was having more than one baby? She certainly looked more advanced in her pregnancy. Terror gripped him. How on earth was he going to afford it all? And, to add insult to injury, all the worry was taking its toll. He’d noticed a few more grey hairs, a few more wrinkles and that pouch he’d once been able to keep at bay was making a comeback with all the junk food he’d binged on in anxiety.
So, all in all, things weren’t too good for poor, old Richard at the moment. This in itself gave Tara a boost. A part of her took pleasure in seeing the state he was in. He deserved it. But another part of her remained a tad cautious. She knew how ruthless he could be. Look what he’d done after all. No matter how many times Claire had assured her that Richardhadto conform, Tara didn’t have to think too long about how manipulative and cunning her ex-husband was. He was also a bully and used his presence to intimidate her. It was all well and good facing him in a courtroom, but on her own when there was no one else around? She wouldn’t put it past Richard to use underhand tactics. In a nutshell, she was wary of him; but not enough to stop what she had started. This time she’d see it through, right to the bitter end. Not just for her, but for Calum too.
If she had a partner, Tara knew full well that Richard wouldn’t attempt to pester her, because he was a coward. She’d seen the way he had glared at Jack when he’d brought Calum safely home that evening. Richard wouldn’t confront a man up front, he’d just try to make her life a misery instead. For after everything he’d done, he still outrageously believed that Tara was still his, a case of ‘nobody else can have her’. Tara was also aware of the way he had used Calum as a pawn too, knowing she was eager to shield him from as much contention as possible. Only now, Calum was making his own mind up, he had views and opinions, which he wasn’t scared of sharing. He was also growing up physically too, being as tall as Richard and able to look him in the eye. He wasn’t ‘little Cal’ any more, but a young man who saw his dad for what he was.
Her phone rang on the bedside table. She smiled at seeing Jack’s name.
‘Morning, gorgeous. Got anything planned today?’
‘Morning, Jack,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Not really.’
‘Then let’s go out.’
‘Sure, why not. Where?’
‘Hmm, my surprise. I’ll pick you up in an hour.’
‘Oh, right…’ Tara replied, a touch perplexed.
‘Be ready, bye!’ And off he went, leaving her with another smile.
On time, Jack arrived exactly an hour later in his sporty little number with the roof down.
‘Hop in,’ he grinned. He was wearing shades and his blond hair looked windswept. Tara took in his tanned, muscular arms in the white T-shirt he wore. She had pondered over her outfit, not knowing where they were going, but decided in the end for fitted jeans and a smart shirt.
It was a lovely, sunny day and the breeze was refreshing as they drove off.
‘So, where are we going, Jack?’
‘Somewhere exciting,’ he said, raising an eyebrow.
‘Where?’ She laughed, curiosity setting in.
‘Well…’ He looked sideways at her before turning back to face the road. ‘I thought you deserved a ride on The Big One,’ he smirked.
‘Pardon?’ giggled Tara, then the penny dropped. ‘Are we going to the Pleasure Beach?’
He nodded. ‘Absolutely.’
‘Jack!’ she squealed in delight. She loved the rides there, being a thrill-seeker. What a spontaneous surprise! When was the last time she’d had one of those? Jack was a breath of fresh air. Then a thought suddenly struck her. What time would they be back? Richard would be dropping Calum off in the evening. Her expression must have changed with her thoughts.
‘What’s up?’ asked Jack.
‘What time will we be back? Just thinking of Calum coming home.’
Jack shrugged. ‘See if he wants to come.’
‘But he’s at Richard’s,’ Tara replied.
‘So, text him, see if he’d like to come with us,’ Jack said, genuinely not seeing it as a problem.
‘I will,’ she said firmly. Why shouldn’t she? It’s not as if Richard hadn’t rearranged things with her last minute.
