Page 65 of Always Beth
‘Yeah, the best. The wife, though, she has a new one and we’re off to court so fuck knows how’s she’s affording her barrister as well. Don’t see her coming out on top though.’
If I could reach across the table and drag him outside right now I would. It’s taking every last bit of strength I have to stop myself.
‘So, what’s the reason for the divorce then?’
His lips purse as he lets out a deep breath. ‘Where to start, mate? Where to start?’
How about for starters, I’m not your fucking mate.‘Go on.’
‘She didn’t excite me anymore, you know? As soon as we were married, it was kids this, kids that and I’ve got a career to think of. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a good-looking woman and at one time she was enough, but in my line of work you meet a lot a beautiful women and…’ He pauses as if he’s forgotten something and as much as it pains me to hear this, I need to know.
I unclench my fists from under the table. If one more derogatory word passes his lips, I don’t think I’ll be responsible for my actions. Just as I’m about to probe further, I catch Lauren from the corner of my eye, steadying herself as she leaves the ladies.
‘You haven’t seen my phone, have you?’ I turn back to Stephen to find him rapidly patting down his body.
‘Erm—’
‘It’s here, you left it on the bar.’ Lauren slides the handset across the table and smiles weakly.
‘John, can we go? I’m not feeling great.’
I stand, thrusting my phone inside my jacket pocket before another word can be uttered.
‘Oh, you’re not both go-in-gg so-oo soon?’ Stephen hiccups, glancing around the bar looking for the next poor individual to latch on to.
‘Sorry, mate, I should get her home.’
I pull her close to my side and the confidence she had earlier has all but disappeared, we barely make it back to the car. I lift her into the passenger seat, and she tips her head back against the headrest. As I climb in beside her, she breathes heavily and slowly opens her eyes.
‘We did it,’ she whispers.
‘We did?’
She passes me her phone and I scan the screen full of messages and photos. ‘What’s this?’
‘I copied the content of his phone when I was in the ladies before I came over all funny,’ she forces out, struggling to catch her breath.
There’s more than enough evidence here. It will be impossible for him to deny adultery now. ‘Shit.’ I sink back into my seat.
‘You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The scan photo.’
I nod, unable to comprehend what I see before me. ‘She’s pregnant? His mistress?’
Lauren nods. ‘We have to tell her, James.’
‘No. You’ve got enough to worry about. I’ll tell her.’
It will destroy Beth when she finds out about the baby. She’s only just getting her life back together. How am I ever going to break it to her? The evidence is enough without it. If I can spare her this heartbreak, I will.
I look over at Lauren, now fast asleep, and it reminds me that despite everything she’s still my priority. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear and start the engine. Tomorrow all this evidence will go off to Caroline anonymously, and then Beth can start to move on.
Beth
Revive your career in five easy steps.
I frown at the banner emblazoned across my screen. If the steps were that easy, it wouldn’t take an online course to help you, would it? Besides, I can hardly call my early working life a career. A few articles here and there that didn’t exactly set the world alight. Political journalism has its place and like me I’m not even sure where that fits anymore. I spent far too long trying to fit in with Stephen’s image and political stance that I almost forgot who I was. I need to write for people like me, not people who aren’t. I used to blog before Stephen came along, perhaps it’s time to resurrect it. I ruffle Poppy’s coat lightly as I continue to scour the Internet for inspiration. Sinking backwards into the couch, I contemplate whether it’s too early for wine. Everything feels like a waiting game, the hours stretch into days and I’ve done little that’s productive. My email pings and I immediately bolt upright, sending Poppy scurrying onto the floor. It’s from Caroline. At last.
Beth
