Games Lovers Play (7 page)

John Baker watched them drive away. So that was the boyfriend. He was consumed with jealousy. He'd not yet had his fill of young Connie. He certainly wasn't ready to dispense with her yet, not after spending money on a hotel so he could claim her virginity. That had been something new. Most of his previous affairs had been with experienced women, and he'd enjoyed the fact that he was the one to teach such a willing girl all about the pleasures of the flesh.

As he made his way home he pictured the man with Connie. He looked vaguely familiar, and he wracked his brain to try and remember why this should be … then he remembered she'd said he was a racing driver. That was it! There had been an article in the local paper about him and about his success on the racetrack. So … this was no ordinary chap. It only served to add to his displeasure. He walked on in a thoroughly bad frame of mind, which was not dispelled when he walked through the door of his house and found his wife waiting for him.

Kay Baker was cooking in her kitchen after bathing Susan and getting her ready for her nightly story with her father. She was feeling very tense. She'd made up her mind to confront her husband after dinner and she had no way of knowing how the evening would end. But she'd had enough. Tonight was make or break time.

John let himself into the house, hung up his coat, gave his wife a perfunctory kiss, picked up his daughter, hugged her and said, ‘Ready for bed and your story?'

The child squealed with delight. ‘The three bears, Daddy, please.'

In the kitchen, Kay poured herself a sherry to give her some Dutch courage and laid the table. Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs, she took a large gulp of alcohol, carried the serving dishes into the dining room and sat down.

John sat at the table and helped himself to some vegetables then poured gravy over the lamb chops on his plate, followed by mint sauce. He glanced up as he held out the sauce to Kay. He was surprised to see her just sitting watching him.

‘Something wrong?' he snapped.

‘I see you're in a bad mood but there's no need to use that tone of voice to me just because your girlfriend's upset you!'

He looked at her in astonishment. Not once in all the years they'd been married, despite his numerous affairs, had his wife ever mentioned another woman to him.

‘What on earth are you talking about?'

‘The young girl on the haberdashery. I saw you with her today.'

‘You what?'

‘I was in town shopping. I popped into the store for a coffee and came looking for you, just in time to see the argument between you both.'

‘Oh that!' he bluffed. ‘I had to admonish her about her rudeness to a customer who'd complained.'

‘You do surprise me,' she said quietly. ‘I found her very polite.'

‘You spoke to her?'

‘Yes, she served me.'

He tried to laugh her accusations away. ‘For goodness' sake, Kay, you're jumping to ridiculous conclusions.'

She looked scornfully at him. ‘She didn't find it ridiculous when I told her to leave my husband alone. I thought she was going to faint. That and her look of guilt was enough to know I
wasn't
mistaken. For Christ's sake John, she's a
child
!'

He didn't know what to say. He'd convinced himself his wife was unaware of his adultery; indeed, he had always been so careful to make sure she'd had no reason to think that their marriage was other than secure. He looked at her and was at a loss for words.

Kay, however, wasn't. Years of frustration at shutting her eyes to his infidelity poured forth. ‘You must think I'm a complete fool! I've always known you've had other women! You come home and climb into our bed reeking of a strange perfume and think I won't notice. The excuses of working late, so often when you had someone, but regular hours when you were
between
women!' She glared at him. ‘I have known about every single one, but today was the first time I had ever seen the woman concerned – and I've had enough!'

‘What do you mean, you've had enough?' Now he was worried.

‘You want someone else, then fine! Pack your bags and go to them. Let them take care of you, cook for you, do your dirty washing. Look after you until you get bored and move on to the next one. Me … I won't put up with you and your women any longer! In fact, do it now, I can't bear to even look at you!' She rose from the table and walked into the kitchen.

He was up like a shot and followed her. ‘Now, Kay, you're being silly.'

She turned on him with fury. ‘You're
not
going to deny it all, I hope? Please don't insult my intelligence.'

He put out his hand towards her. She snatched her arm away.

‘Don't you dare touch me! Go and find your little girl and see if she'll take you in. I'll make an appointment to see my solicitor in the morning.'

He was reeling from the acceleration of the situation. This was getting completely out of hand and he was now desperate.

‘Look, darling, I'm really sorry. I know I've done wrong and you didn't deserve the way I've treated you, but I don't want to leave you and Susan. I love you both, surely you know that?'

She leaned against the kitchen sink and saw the desperation in his eyes. ‘But not enough to keep your marriage vows, John. Well, you've made your own choice and now I've made mine. You, of course, will have visitation rights to see Susan. I don't want her life ruined by all this. And you will make sure we have enough to live on and you will cover the mortgage as usual.'

He was flabbergasted. ‘You've got it all worked out, haven't you!' Now he was angry.

But Kay was in control. ‘Please don't use that outraged tone with me, John. I've put up with the knowledge of your extramarital relationships for too many years. If anyone should be outraged it's me! Now, please, pack an overnight bag. I'll have the rest of your stuff packed tomorrow. You can come and pick it up in your lunch hour when Susan's at nursery school.'

She met his gaze uncompromisingly, and he had no choice but to do her bidding. And half an hour later, Kay watched the tail lights of his car disappear down the road and burst into tears.

In a daze, John Baker drove to the Star Hotel and booked a room. He sat on the edge of the bed wondering what on earth had happened to Kay, who was always gentle and kind and who had changed into a whirling dervish! The very fact she'd discovered that he was seeing Connie and had exchanged words with her was even more shocking.

He lit a cigarette and puffed slowly and deeply. His marriage was in ruins! She'd ordered him out of the house! Letting out a sigh, he put his hand to his head, unable to believe what had happened. What was he going to do?

He left the room and went to the bar, ordering a double scotch and soda. Then he sat quietly trying to plan his next move. He
had
to get Kay to change her mind. Despite his philanderings, he loved his home, family life. Adored his daughter, and Kay was the perfect wife. The other … It didn't mean anything. Surely, she must know that?

In the kitchen of the marital home, Kay wiped her tears and drank the remains of the sherry. Walking upstairs, she peered into Susan's room and saw her child was fast asleep, then she went into her bedroom, took a large suitcase from under the bed and started to pack her husband's clothes.

Despite her anger, she was worried. She'd made her stand and now she'd have to live with the consequences. What if John decided to be difficult over the financial arrangement? How would she live? No, he wouldn't do that, she thought. Even if he didn't care about her he'd want to look after Susan's welfare. Her solicitor would advise her, she decided.

She dreaded tomorrow when John would return for the rest of his belongings. What sort of a mood would he be in? No matter what, she determined, she wouldn't change her mind. Why should she? She'd put up with him for far too long. Now
she
would have a life!

That morning, Connie entered the staff entrance of the store and removed her coat. She was terrified of seeing her lover. Had his wife told him of their conversation? If so, what would he say? If not, and he wanted to meet her, what could
she
say? She certainly didn't want to face Mrs Baker again and be accused of consorting with her husband. Her hands were trembling at the thought, and she dropped a load of goods.

‘What on earth's the matter with you this morning?' demanded Betty. ‘You're all of a dither!'

‘I didn't sleep well, that's all,' she answered and carried on. Then, across the floor, she saw John striding quickly across towards her counter. He sent Betty to the stockroom on an errand, then glared at Connie.

‘What on earth did you say to my wife yesterday?' He looked at her coldly.

‘I didn't say anything! I thought she was a customer. She asked for some elastic and then when I asked if there was anything else, she told me to keep away from her husband!'

‘And what did you say?'

‘I didn't say anything!' Now Connie was getting angry. It was bad enough to be accused by the wife, but now John was behaving as if it were all her fault. ‘What did you expect me to say? Tell her about our weekend in Bournemouth, registered as your wife!'

He paled visibly at her outburst. ‘Keep your voice down,' he hissed.

‘She told you about our meeting then?'

His lips narrowed. ‘Oh yes, she certainly did. She ordered me out of the house.'

Connie studied the angry man before her and suddenly saw him in a different light. He was no longer the charmer who had led her astray. He was a man with an appetite who'd been found out. An unattractive creature – and she knew at once she was free of him at last.

‘Is there anything else?' She looked at him as if he were a stranger who had just dropped by.

‘Is that all you can say? My marriage is in ruins!'

‘That's your problem, John. Not mine,' she said, and she turned away to serve a customer.

At lunchtime, Baker drove home and parked in front of the door. Putting his key in the lock, he struggled with it. What the hell was wrong? The door opened, and Kay looked at him.

‘You're wasting your time. I've had the locks changed!' She turned and walked into the kitchen.

He followed. ‘You what?' He didn't wait for an answer. ‘Was that really necessary?'

‘I thought so.' She pointed into the corner. ‘There are a couple of suitcases with your clothes.' She handed him a carrier bag. ‘And here's your dirty washing!'

He looked at her in horror. ‘What am I supposed to do with this?'

She chuckled. ‘I have no idea, but I suggest you don't wear it as it is.'

‘This is not a laughing matter, Kay! You are putting our marriage in danger.'

She was incredulous. ‘
I
am putting our marriage in danger? How can you stand there and say that?
You
! You have done this. You and your bloody women, so don't try and lay the blame at
my
door!'

His mind was racing nineteen to the dozen trying to think of a way to change the situation. ‘You're right, and I've been a fool. But, Kay, darling, I don't want to lose you. I still love you, surely you know that?'

She looked scornfully at him. ‘Frankly, I don't give a damn, as Rhett Butler once said. You see, John … I no longer love you. In fact, I've not loved you for quite a while.'

This shocked him to his core. ‘What? I don't believe you.'

‘Please yourself. Years ago when I first found out about your womanizing, I made a decision to stay with you, but after every affair, my love died a little bit more. Now all I feel is anger. Not at you, strangely – but at myself for staying in this sham of a marriage for so long.' She glared at him, defiance burning in her eyes. ‘I am going to divorce you on the grounds of adultery!'

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. ‘You can't do that!'

‘Indeed I can and I will, and what's more if you contest it I'll name your shop girl. I asked someone who she was so I know her name. Think of the scandal!'

The consequence of her remark horrified him. ‘I could lose my job!'

She shrugged. ‘Not if you don't contest the case.'

His eyes narrowed. ‘You seem pretty sure about all this.'

‘I had a long conversation with my solicitor this morning. I'm not quite the fool you think I am. Seven years of marriage and you still think I'm only capable of being a wife and mother. Well, John my dear, I'm much more than that!'

He studied the stranger before him. He didn't know this woman at all. ‘Is there someone else?' he asked suddenly. ‘Have you met another man?'

Kay started to laugh. ‘Really! I'm not like you. No, there is no one else involved, but I hope to meet someone in the future. Someone who is honest, who will think enough of me to be faithful, to appreciate me for the woman I really am. Not just an appendage.'

‘You have never just been that to me, Kay.'

‘Not to begin with I grant you, but certainly in the latter years. I looked after your every need, like a housekeeper. I pleasured your bed whenever you turned to me, which I hated, knowing you'd been with another woman, but I had Susan to think about.'

He had only one more weapon to use to try and save his marriage and that was his daughter. ‘Well, think of her now, I beg you. If we part she'll be devastated. Who will be here to read her stories at night?'

‘I will! You can see her regularly, we'll make an arrangement – and at her age she'll soon accept the change once I've talked to her.'

A frown furrowed his brow. ‘What on earth will you say to her? I don't want her upset.'

Kay glared at him. ‘You never gave her a thought when you climbed into bed with another woman, did you?'

What could he say?