‘Yes, tell me about the new job.’
Sarah had been on her own since seven thirty that evening. It was nearly eleven and she was wondering what Richard had been up to. He’d said he was going to The Valley Arms, but she wasn’t entirely sure that was true. Obviously she couldn’t follow him, but she did wonder if he was out with another woman again.
It wasn’t as if she didn’t know there were others. It was more how blatant he was about it. Sometimes he even took women out around the village. It was as if he wanted to show everyone that he’d still got it. Why he’d want to do that was beyond her. But still, it did give her a little peace every once in a while. Until her anger got the better of her.
He’d disappear most evenings now, leaving her alone. She missed the affection they used to share. When they’d first got together everything had been good. Richard had been attentive and loving. How different things were now.
The first time she had suspected he’d been with someone else was when he bought new clothes and a different brand from his usual aftershave. He’d had a haircut too. She’d questioned him about it, but he’ddenied it was anything more than he fancied a change. A couple of days later, she’d been in the village and had seen him flirting with a young woman. They were in the car park. He was running a hand along her arm, the way he used to do with her. The woman had laughed at something he’d said and mirrored his actions. Anyone from a distance could see that they were most likely fucking.
He’d denied anything was going on when she’d questioned him and had thought better of asking him anything again once she’d had the wrath of a backhander. It had still stung though that she wasn’t enough for him anymore. Especially after what she had done for him.
Finally, she heard Richard’s car pull into the drive. She didn’t get up to greet him, waiting for him to show his face in the living room. He always did, trying to rile her into showing some emotion. Other than a few comments she’d throw at him, she’d never given him the satisfaction.
‘I wasn’t expecting you to be up,’ he said, flopping down into the armchair with a stupid grin on his face.
‘Where have you been?’
‘Out and about.’
‘On your own?’
‘Yes, of course.’
He caught her rolling her eyes and laughed.
‘You’re seeing someone else, aren’t you?’
‘It’s none of your business. You have a roof over your head. It doesn’t mean that you own me.’
She sniffed. ‘I can smell her perfume.’
‘Give it a rest. What I get up to outside of the house is nothing to do with you.’
‘Maybe I should do the same.’
Richard sighed. ‘You’re very good at getting what you want, aren’t you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘If you want me to fuck you, then I will.’
She left the room, but he followed her into the kitchen. He was predictable as he pulled her into his arms, kissing her so forcefully she knew her lips would feel bruised afterwards. His hands reached for her T-shirt and pulled it out of her jeans.
She responded in the way she knew he liked, getting him excited so that he would be quick. Like they mostly did now, he bent her over the table and took her from behind. She wondered if he ever imagined she was someone else. She often closed her eyes and dreamed of Henry Cavill. Imagining Richard was another man almost took away the forceful nature of his actions.
The sex was functional, and over and done with quickly. It was the one thing she hated but endured. She used to love it, was after it all the time at first. But now, as the feeling she was going to be replaced had become stronger over the past few weeks, her fighting spirit was building. She needed to start thinking of her future, their future. Things couldn’t go on this way indefinitely.
Sarah would always let Richard think he had the upper hand. Even if it meant shutting herself off to what he was doing while she was biding her time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Juliette dropped onto the settee with a grateful sigh. She reached for her glass of wine and took a sip. Today had been a good day and she decided to celebrate on her own.
She had secured three clients that morning, on a monthly retainer. Retainers gave her the peace of mind that money would be coming in on a regular basis, at least for the foreseeable future. Working for yourself was most people’s dream but the reality was a lot harder than it seemed. Often in her line of work it was feast or famine when it came to earning money. She saved a lot in preparation, but it sometimes meant she didn’t treat herself enough as she was wary of spending too much.
Juliette was getting used to the house now. Most things had been unpacked and put in their place, only the odd box hanging around in the garage. They’d yet to decorate it to their taste but for now she was fine asmost of the walls had been replastered and painted magnolia. Before the house became theirs, the electrics had been renewed too. Juliette was glad she hadn’t had to live through the mess of that.
It was nice to see familiar belongings in the living room that instantly made it feel like home. Two navy three-seaters, a coffee table in between. A yellow throw was over the one they hardly used, scatter cushions on them both.
