‘O’Hara and Totty,’ announced the court usher.
Tara and Jack exchanged a look.
‘You’ll be fine,’ he said and kissed her cheek.
Richard clocked it and glared at Jack. Jack glared back. Claire noticed the interaction and smirked to herself.
Jack waited in the seating area outside the District Judge’s chambers. He watched as Tara held her head high and marched in with Claire. He only hoped it would go well for her. She so deserved it. Once again he was reminded of how intense his feelings for her were. In such a relatively short time he’d developed a strong attachment to her, and the outcome of today was a big deal to him too. He wanted Tara to be happy. He wanted justice for her.
Inside the chambers, Claire was outlining her application.
‘Judge, my client is applying for a lump sum, half the current value of her ex-husband’s dental practice, given that the business was established with half her money. Indeed, whilst Mr Totty was ploughing the profits made back into the business, the family were living solely on my client’s wages. Notwithstanding, Ms O’Hara has been forced to sell the family home, uproot herself and son to a more modest dwelling and continues working full time as a doctor.’
Tara bit her lip. Claire hadn’t mentioned the intention to reduce her hours. But then it hadn’t been implemented yet, so didn’t expect any comeback. She glanced towards Richard whowas looking ashen-faced by now. He gulped and straightened his tie. Claire’s opening words were met with direct opposition.
‘Judge, my client has provided more than generous maintenance and is even prepared to increase it, given reasonable terms.’
Reasonable terms! What an absolute joke, thought Tara, sharply turning to see Claire’s response.
‘It’s because of your client’sunreasonable terms that we find ourselves here in the first place,’ retorted Claire in a steely voice, making Richard wince.
Claire then went on to outline just what little Richard had provided, in comparison to his very lucrative earnings. He at least had the grace to blush.
When hearing it out loud, Tara felt like crying.Howhad she ever agreed to such a pittance? She stole another glance at him. The coward couldn’t look her in the eye. It only got worse for him, especially when Claire went on to list the skiing holidays and cruises he and his new wife regularly enjoyed, not to mention the huge house they lived in.
It all made for a deafening, excruciating silence when Claire finished. Tara waited for Richard’s solicitor to counteract, but when he finally got his act together and attempted, he blustered profusely, not having any concrete objection. He was finally interrupted by the District Judge.
‘I’ve heard enough. Having perused the file earlier, I have sufficient financial information to make an order in full and final settlement. I grant Ms O’Hara’s application, which must be adhered to within three months from the date of this order.’
Basically, as Claire explained once out of chambers, ‘Richard has got three months from today to cough up.’
Tara exhaled and closed her eyes. It was over. She’d won.
‘Well done.’ Jack nudged her arm and smiled.
‘I… can’t believe it,’ she replied in a daze.
‘Well, do. It’s finally payback time,’ said Claire with utter glee, resisting the urge to punch the air.
Richard vanished pretty rapidly, all his nightmares having come true. He’d have to say goodbye to his new home (or at least remortgage it). There’d be no more lavish holidays… And could he really keep his Mercedes Maybach under the circumstances? Doubtful, especially as he’d soon have another child to keep too. Oh, how the mighty crumble, said a taunting voice in his head, or was it his guilty conscience? But what bothered him the most was, how the hell was he going to break the news to Melissa?
‘Cheers.’ Jack clinked his champagne flute against Tara’s.
‘Cheers,’ she said and took a gulp of fizz. It tasted good. Very good. But then victory always did, didn’t it? She sat back in contentment and gave a huge sigh of relief. At last, she was able to relax and no longer had to worry. With the money coming her way, she could easily work part-time and still live comfortably.
When she told Jack what she’d been awarded with, his eyes had widened, not quite believing what Claire had pulled off. ‘It’s only what’s fair,’ she’d said, ‘and obviously the District Judge thought so too.’
Tara had fully expected a barrage of abusive texts or threatening voice messages, but no, there’d been nothing. Zilch. Richard was silent, for now. This only strengthened her suspicions that he had too much to deal with than contact her. He had a young wife who was soon going to endure a change in lifestyle. Richard was no longer quite the sugar daddy he once was.
Tara turned to face Jack and smiled appreciatively. ‘Thanks for your support… and this.’ Her hands spread out to theexquisite dining area of the restaurant. It had dark-blue panelled walls, matching the sea that could be seen through the picture window. Hanging lanterns gave the place a warm, mellow glow and the sound of smooth jazz played in the background. The Seaview was renowned for its Michelin Star food and Jack had done well to reserve a table at such short notice.
‘My pleasure.’ He inclined his head and Tara met his lips with a kiss. ‘What time do you have to be back?’ he asked in her ear.
Tara gave a sly grin. What was he implying? The champagne filled her senses, giving her a laissez-faire feeling, along with the success in court. ‘By four,’ she replied.
‘Ah, plenty of time.’
‘For what?’ she asked playfully, looking up at his face.
He returned her gaze, unflinching and gave a lazy smile.
‘Coffee, at mine?’ He raised a seductive eyebrow.
‘Sounds good.’ She gave a sexy chuckle.
