Every Time We Say Goodbye (24 page)

‘Well, I’m sure we can work around that; my hours are flexible . . .’ He stopped as three young girls squeezed in around the table beside them, chatting and giggling.

Marianne sighed; it would be impossible to talk in privacy now; it would be difficult to be heard over that noise.

Rob smiled. ‘Why don’t we take a walk?’

They chatted easily as they strolled up Baggot and on reaching Mespil Road they crossed, climbed up the bank and stopped by the famous sculpture of the poet, Patrick Kavanagh, sitting on a bench.

‘You know this isn’t the original,’ Rob said.

‘You told me that before,’ Marianne said, smiling.

‘I did?’ He turned from the green statue, surprised.

She nodded. ‘And that the original is further along the bank and in an awful state; at least it was the last time you told me about it.’

‘It still is. “O commemorate me with no hero-courageous Tomb – just a canal-bank seat for the passer-by,”’ he quoted.

They turned and started to wander along the bank in silence; it was a grey day, the water was a murky green and people were hurrying past, heads bent against the wind. They paused to watch a swan preen itself, indifferent to their presence and the noise of the traffic. Marianne hugged her arms around her.

‘Barbara is pregnant,’ she told him. It had been going round and round her head and now, as they stood there together, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to confide in him.

He turned to stare at her. ‘The mistress?’

‘Can we not use that word, please. I hate it.’

‘That must be quite a shock,’ he said after a moment.

‘It is. It adds a whole new dimension to the problem. I thought I’d never have to see the woman again but she’s going to be the mother of the children’s half-brother or sister; the baby will be Dot’s grandchild,’ she added, the realization shocking her. ‘Everything will have to come out.’

‘Barbara may not want it to,’ Rob pointed out.

‘I hope you’re right,’ Marianne said, filled with a feeling of helpless anger. ‘My family have been traumatized enough without having to deal with this; damn you, Dominic!’

Rob reached out for her hand and squeezed it. ‘You don’t have to let her into your life if you don’t want to.’

‘I’m not sure I’ll have a choice. And even if she does disappear, what’s to stop the child coming to look for its family in twenty years or so?’

‘Will you stop worrying about the future?’ Rob shook his head and smiled at her. ‘Just focus on right now, Marianne. Okay?’

She took a deep breath, realizing that she was on the verge of a panic attack.

‘Calm down,’ he said, looking at her with concern. ‘You’ve got this far, Marianne, you’re not going to crack up now.’

‘No.’ She took some more long, deep breaths and tried to smile. ‘No, I’m not.’ They walked on and the feel of Rob’s strong hand holding hers calmed her.

‘Let’s change the subject,’ he suggested.

‘Yes, let’s. Tell me about the business. I hadn’t even realized that you’d set up on your own.’

‘Let’s say at the time I was in need of distraction.’

‘Oh, Rob,’ she sighed.

‘Hey, I may never have taken the risk otherwise.’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Ah, so you’re saying that splitting up with me was the making of you.’

‘I never split up with you, Marianne,’ he said, holding her gaze.

‘No, I’m sorry.’ She looked away feeling uncomfortable but smiled when his hand tightened around hers. ‘Go on,’ she prompted.

‘I was working out of a tiny office down in the docklands, long before it became fashionable; I had about four different types of lock on the door. At the beginning there were times when it was a struggle to pay the rent but they’re the risks you take when you are self-employed. I started small, just doing what I had always done, installing systems and then maintaining them. After I had a core of regular clients, I set up the website and also branched into training; it was the obvious next step but it only really took off when Shay came on board. Once he left I had to let it slide. I can’t afford to do that any more, though; it’s the most profitable end of the business these days with the number of people just like you, trying to broaden their skill set so that they can compete in the job market.’

‘And are you planning to do all that from my house?’ Marianne asked, a little unnerved at the thought of people traipsing in and out of her home; she could only imagine what the neighbours would have to say on the subject.

Rob laughed. ‘No, don’t worry. I rent rooms in a hotel in town for any training courses.’

‘Oh, that’s a relief,’ she admitted with a grin. ‘I suppose a central location does make more sense.’

‘I’m actually planning to go down the suburban route, as it happens. I thought some evening classes in schools or community centres would be attractive to stay-at-home mothers or pensioners. We could run much shorter courses giving an introduction to the internet, email and social networking.’

‘That sounds like fun,’ Marianne said, impressed, and felt a stir of excitement at being involved in the venture. ‘I must admit, though, I’ve never stood up in front of a class of people before; I hope I can do it.’

‘Of course you can. You’ll get used to it very quickly.’ He stopped short and gestured with his hand. ‘
Et voila!
’

Marianne looked at the simple wooden bench between stone uprights and felt sad for the poet until she sat down and her eyes rested on the calm waters flowing by. ‘The seat’s not that impressive but it’s a lovely location; I’d happily sit here all day,’ she said with a sigh.

He sat next to her, his arm tight against hers. ‘Me too.’

She closed her eyes and savoured the moment.

‘Marianne?’

She opened her eyes and turned to look at him, and watched, mesmerized, as his gaze deliberately dropped to her lips and then locked with hers. It was her opportunity to say something to break the spell; she didn’t. Rob tipped his head sideways and leaned in to kiss her; she felt a tremor of pleasure ripple through her body at the feel of his mouth on hers. It was a light but tender kiss that brought back memories of the many different kisses they’d shared before and Marianne automatically moved closer to him just as she had so many times in the past. Rob responded by putting his arm around her and his kiss became more insistent.

When they parted, she opened her eyes to find him looking intently into hers. ‘Oh, Rob.’

‘Marianne . . .’

She looked down as he took her hand and then gasped as she caught sight of the time on his watch. ‘Shit.’ If she didn’t leave right now she’d never make it to the school on time. ‘I’m sorry but I have to go.’

He looked taken aback and immediately withdrew. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.’

‘Don’t apologize,’ she told him. ‘I’m very glad you did. If I didn’t have to pick up the children I’d happily stay here all day.’

Looking relieved, Rob stood up and held out his hand to her.

She took it and standing up she smiled into his eyes.

‘Would it be okay if I called you later?’ he asked.

Marianne sighed. ‘Oh, Rob, it would be very okay.’

Chapter Twenty-one

Helen wasn’t happy. Johnny and Marianne were supposed to have met that woman at eleven and it was now after two and he still hadn’t been in touch. She’d called his mobile and just got his voicemail; she’d called Marianne and got the same. There was no reason for her to be suspicious. This was her husband and her best friend. But her gut had been telling her for weeks now that something wasn’t quite right and she’d learned to trust her gut.

When she finally got hold of Marianne, she was in the process of pouring herself a glass of wine; Helen knew it was large from the length of time the glug-glug-glug sound continued.

‘Oh, it’s like that?’

She could hear Marianne take a sip and then a deep breath before answering. ‘Her name is Barbara West, she worked with Dominic at Matthews and Baldwin a few years ago.’

‘So tell me about her,’ Helen urged, impatient as she heard Marianne paused to have another drink. ‘What’s she like?’

‘She looks a little like me only with shorter hair and she seemed quiet but by no means shy.’

‘Were they having an affair?’

‘Yes, although she maintains it was much more than that. She said that Dominic was planning to leave me and marry her.’

Helen frowned. ‘Was he, Marianne? You never said anything.’

‘I never said anything, Helen, because he never even mentioned her,’ Marianne said. ‘He seems to have told her nothing but lies.’

‘That’s incredible.’ Helen sat with her coffee and listened in silence as Marianne explained about how Dominic had persuaded Barbara to sell her house, dangling the carrot of a life together in a new country. ‘I almost feel sorry for her,’ she said at the end of it.

‘There’s more.’ She could hear Marianne sigh. ‘Barbara’s pregnant.’

‘No!’ Helen gasped.

‘So she says. We left soon after that. I didn’t know what to say; I just had to get out of there.’

‘I can understand that. How long did the meeting go on?’ Helen added casually. ‘Only I tried to call Johnny and couldn’t get hold of him.’

‘Less than an hour but he was rushing off to another meeting.’

Helen had to work hard to keep her voice light. ‘I tried your phone too but no luck there either.’

‘Oh, did you? I was a bit flustered after all of that and forgot to switch it back on. I never got a message saying you’d called but then Andrew’s dropped that phone so many times it’s a miracle it works at all.’

Helen froze; she knew this woman well and knew when she was telling a lie and she was. She had to take a deep breath before she could manage to reply. ‘Kids, eh? You sound amazingly calm for a woman who’s just met her husband’s pregnant girlfriend.’

There was a small hesitation. ‘I’m not upset that he had an affair, Helen, and you know that if he’d asked me for a divorce I’d have happily agreed and wished him luck. But a child; that’s knocked me for six, to be honest.’

‘I can imagine.’ Helen couldn’t continue the conversation a moment longer. ‘Marianne, sorry, must go; I have scones in the oven. We’ll talk again tomorrow. You take care, try not to worry.’

‘Oh, I need to go myself; there’s someone at the door.’

‘Johnny! What are you doing here? Your wife’s just been on; she’s been looking for you, you should call her.’

‘I will, I will.’ He came in, shooting a quick look around. ‘Are you alone?’

‘The kids are in bed and Dot’s gone to visit a friend in hospital. Why? Is something wrong?’

‘No, it’s just I’ve been completely distracted all day. I keep going over things in my head and so much of what Barbara said just doesn’t make sense.’

‘You know, I’ve been the same,’ Marianne exclaimed, although in her case, her distraction was as much down to Rob. ‘Cuppa?’

‘I’d prefer a real drink but I suppose I’d better behave.’

Marianne put the kettle on and then turned to face him. ‘So, tell me, what doesn’t make sense?’

Johnny sat down, stretched out his legs and crossed his arms across his chest. ‘Well, if Barbara thought you knew all about her and she thought that her money was in one of Dominic’s accounts, why didn’t she come and confront you before now?’

‘She didn’t confront me at all; she responded to Kate’s texts,’ Marianne reminded him. ‘But good point.’

‘And the business about the phone . . .’ Johnny shook his head. ‘I think there’s more going on than meets the eye but I can’t quite figure out what.’

‘I know and I agree. Perhaps when we’ve had a night’s sleep things will seem clearer.’

‘Have you had a chance to check out his phone at all?’

‘No, Dot had only walked out the door when Helen phoned and then you arrived. I’ll check it out later. I think Barbara was shocked to hear that I knew nothing about her, and that Dominic hadn’t asked for a divorce.’

‘Yes, agreed, and if I were to give her the benefit of the doubt, she has probably been grieving for Dominic and may have only just realized that the money was missing. It would account for why she agreed to meet you so quickly; she was afraid you had got your hands on it.’

‘And if he’d told her I was a total bitch then she was probably quite worried about that,’ Marianne agreed.

‘I’ve arranged a meeting with my solicitor for Monday week. Have you heard anything from Matthews and Baldwin?’

‘No. I thought about calling Matthews but then I figured that if I seemed anxious, it might make me look guilty,’ Marianne admitted as she carried two mugs of tea to the table.

Johnny laughed. ‘I know what you mean, but I think you should set up an appointment with him for that afternoon.’

‘And deal with both of them on the same day? I’m not sure I could handle that, Johnny.’

‘I’m afraid you’ll have to if you want me to go along; I’m tied up the rest of that week. Besides, the sooner you tell them about the phone and Barbara the better. It will show that you are being proactive in trying to help them recover their money; that’s important.’

‘You’re right. I’ll call and set it up,’ Marianne said, feeling panicky at the rate things were moving.

‘It will all be clearer after we’ve had a chat with Eddie.’

He yawned and Marianne thought how weary and pasty-faced he looked. ‘Is everything okay, Johnny?’

‘Grand.’

‘You know if you have too much on your plate, I can see the solicitor alone . . .’

‘Not at all; it’s no trouble.’

‘Something’s bothering you, though.’

‘Well, my friend, Christy, isn’t the best.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Marianne went to the worktop for her packet of antacids.

‘What are they?’ he asked as she popped two in her mouth.

‘Indigestion tablets.’ She pulled a face. ‘I think Dominic’s final parting gift may be an ulcer.’

‘Give us one.’

She handed the packet over. ‘Why, what’s up?’

He shrugged. ‘Something I ate isn’t agreeing with me.’

‘I thought you didn’t look well. Go home to Helen, Johnny.’

He drained his mug. ‘Okay. Do you have the paintings ready?’

‘I do, they’re in the office.’

‘Holy God!’ Johnny said when he saw the stack of paintings of all shapes and sizes resting against the wall. ‘I’d no idea he had this many.’