Page 49 of Always Beth
The air immediately disappears from my lungs. ‘Not good.’
‘I’m so sorry, James.’
The door opens and Beth strides back in with renewed confidence.There she is.
‘Sorry about that. So what happens now?’ Beth glances around hopefully.
‘I’ll get my paralegal to send you some paperwork and we’ll contact your husband’s solicitor.’
‘What’s this going to cost me?’
‘Our clients are never out of pocket, Beth. It’s not our usual practice, but we’ll settle upon your settlement.’ I’m impressed, the words flowed from Caroline’s mouth without even a flinch or a look in my direction.
‘Thank you so much.’ Beth smiles.
‘You’re welcome. Stephen Foster, I’m coming for you.’ She slams the file closed on her desk and Beth breaks out into a smile that’s full of hope.
My mind casts back to Lauren and my chest tightens as a wave of guilt sweeps over me. It means everything to me that I can help Beth. I just wish that I could change things for Lauren.
ChapterFourteen
James
As we pull up outside Beth’s cottage, I find myself disappointed that this short time we’ve had is over. I enjoyed being back in London and more than anything I enjoyed being in her company. As much as I don’t want to say goodbye to her, I can’t wait to get back to Lauren. I’m full of regret at leaving her, especially because I left her with Jacob. He’s talked her around, I know he has. Convinced her that he’s the innocent party in all this when he only has himself to blame.
‘Thank you, for everything,’ Beth says, clutching her bag tightly to her chest. ‘Would you like to come in?’
Yes.‘I’m sorry, Beth, I can’t, I need to get back.’
Trying her best to hide her disappointment, her expression falls. ‘Oh, okay, another time then?’
‘Definitely.’
She turns and I realise I can’t let her step out of the car like our weekend of passion never happened. I grab her, pulling her back straight into my kiss. She melts against me and I’m torn, she needs me as much as Lauren, but in a different way. Breathing heavily, our foreheads rest against one another as our lips part.
‘I’ll see you soon. I promise.’
Her forehead wrinkles like her thoughts are running away with her. We said nothing serious and all of a sudden this feels like it’s anything but.
‘Night, James.’
I wait for her to make her way along the path and open the door before driving away. Within a minute I’m back outside our cottage, it’s barely given me long enough to collect my thoughts.
Every light is out as I fumble to get my key in the lock. It’s too early for her to be in bed, this doesn’t seem right.
‘Lauren?’ I shout as I stumble through the darkness.
‘Shhhhh.’
As I switch on the light to the lounge, she shrieks hysterically, ‘Turn it off, you’re killing me.’
‘What the hell happened in here? It’s like a college party’s gone wrong.’
‘Jacob and I went hard this weekend. We got hammered and I’m suffering. Turn off the bloody light,’ she cries.
My fists clench at my sides as I bite my tongue. One weekend, I couldn’t leave her in his company for one weekend and as per usual, he showed disregard for those closest to him.
‘Typical,’ I huff as I pick up empty bottles and cans from the floor. ‘You’re not even supposed to be drinking right now.’
