Page 66 of Always Beth
Some information came to light this morning pertaining to the petition of adultery. After presenting this to your husband’s solicitor, we have been instructed that he will attest to the reason for separation on the basis that the remainder of the proceedings are carried out swiftly. I trust this will be welcome news and suggest that we arrange a time to finalise what you would like under the division of assets and financial settlement.
Kind regards
Caroline
Evidence? What evidence? There is no evidence.
Something must have spooked him, he’s not one to back down easily. Whatever this is, it must have him bang to rights. Maybe something has come out in the press – a threat to tarnish his campaign – he’d do anything to keep his dirty laundry out of the papers. I hastily type my reply before I’ve time to procrastinate over the hows any longer.
Caroline
This is brilliant news. Thank you so much, I don’t know what I would have done without your help. Anytime is good for me. Let me know when’s suitable for you?
Kind regards,
Beth
Without a second thought I start typing a message to James. I’ve been looking for an excuse to text him and this is it.
Beth: Hey, hope you’re okay? Just wanted to say thank you. Things are looking up with the divorce, hopefully I’ll have the decree absolute in a matter of weeks. This wouldn’t have happened without your help. X
Closing down my emails. I open up a fresh browser window. This feels like a sign, I’m going to make the most of it
James
I smile down at the text message from Beth. Everything went to plan, without so much as a hiccup. Unless you class Lauren falling ill at the end of the night, a hiccup.
For the last few visits, she hasn’t even let me come into the hospital with her, restricted to the car park like some chauffeur. Not that I blame her after my previous behaviour. She brushed last night off as nothing, but I know Lauren, and she would have stuck the night out until the bitter end if she could have, draining Stephen for every last piece of information he was willing to divulge. She seems to be getting worse, it’s like the chemotherapy isn’t even helping. I drum my fingers rapidly on the steering wheel as I consider whether it would be appropriate for me to barge into her appointment and demand to know what’s going on. All I know for certain is that if I want to anger her, that will be the way to do it. I glance at the clock on the dashboard, she’s been in there longer than usual. Something isn’t right. That’s it, I’m going in. I swing the car door open at the same time the handle goes on the passenger side.
‘Hey!’
I peer back into the car as Lauren pulls the seatbelt around her. She seems unusually cheery and full of energy. This wasn’t what I was expecting.
‘You were ages,’ I mutter as I climb back inside.
‘Oh, you know what the hospital can be like.’ She waves her hand dismissively.
‘Not really, you haven’t let me in for weeks.’
She rolls her eyes and leans against the window. ‘Not this again, stop going on, will you, you’re like an old woman. If you want to be useful, drive us home.’
I slam the car into reverse and try to manoeuvre with as little aggression as possible. It’s the same fight over and over again – she needs me, but only on her terms – and I’ve had enough of it. Sometimes I wonder if we’re related at all, let alone twins. The sharp prod of her finger imprints on my bicep repeatedly, but whatever it is she has to say, I don’t know if I can bring myself to listen to right now.
‘Are you angry with me?’ she whispers.
Releasing a slow, controlled breath, I manage to keep any emotion from my reply, ‘I could never be angry with you, I just wish that you’d stop pushing me away.’
‘I know, I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind, more than usual.’
My lips part, but I don’t even know the question I want to ask. It’s more fear than anything else.
‘Tell me something, anything, to take my mind off it all. Please?’ She begs.
I laugh as I remember Beth’s text message. ‘It worked. Stephen’s admitting adultery. The worst plan in the history of plans, actually worked.’
She laughs softly as she stares out into the afternoon traffic. ‘Slimeball Stephen has it coming. Good, at least she can move on properly now.’
My insides twist at the idea of Beth moving on. Moving on with someone who isn’t me. I can’t hold her back though, it wouldn’t be right, she deserves happiness, more happiness than I can offer her that’s for certain.
