by Julia Bell
“But what? Hollie needs to go back to school, so you must go and collect her.”
“No, I want to meet your sons, so I’ll ask Ben to go.”
“Will he mind doing that?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “He’ll love it. He’s been to visit the Macintoshes many times before. He’s one of the family.”
“Oh Jason, I’m so sorry for upsetting your plans. I should have checked with you first, but I was so excited about seeing the boys again.”
“Don’t worry, it’s not a problem.” He smiled. “Well, if it’s just the two of them visiting, they can use your room.” Seeing Anna’s quizzical expression, he added, “We must decide which bedroom we’re going to sleep in when we get back. We can’t be running backwards and forwards between rooms like we’ve done here. I know it’s been fun but…”
Anna couldn’t help giggling. “That would be confusing.” She gave it some serious thought before saying, “Yes, I’d love to move in with you.”
He bent forward and kissed her. “Wonderful,” he murmured.
Back in her room, Anna packed the last of her things. Then she made her way down to breakfast. Ever since her phone call with Dave, she had been filled with resignation. There was nothing to do but see it through and hope that her husband would put aside his bitterness and realise that their marriage was over. She really wanted to get on with the process of ending it once and for all and she prayed that Dave would see his solicitor as soon as possible and not cause any hindrance to her plans.
After breakfast, there was the hustle and bustle of bags being collected and taken out to the cars. The realisation that she really was leaving the Grange made her sit on the top step of the staircase and lean her head against the banister, deep in thought. Jason came through the main entrance and started up the stairs. He stopped when he saw Anna sitting at the top.
“Everything’s loaded and we’re ready to go. Ben and Mrs Wilby are just saying goodbye to Mother.” He grinned. “I used to sit there when I was a small boy. I liked to watch all the comings and goings.”
“It’s a nice place to sit,” murmured Anna.
“May I join you?”
Anna nodded and shuffled over to give him room. “I’m just collecting my thoughts before we set off. I feel that this is a new beginning for us. We’re going back to Bishop Sutton changed people.”
“Why’s that, sweetheart?” he said, glancing around.
“Exactly that. When we left you weren’t calling me sweetheart.”
“I guess not.”
“And I wasn’t wearing your ring.”
“It was on my mind, though.”
“And we weren’t lovers.”
“And that was definitely on my mind.”
Anna took in a breath. “I used to sit on the stairs when I was a little girl and wait for my dad to come home from work. And when he came through the door I would run down and throw myself in his arms.”
Jason smiled and put his arm round her. “I can just imagine you doing that. To lose your dad at twelve years old seems too much to bear. ”
She gave a sad smile. “But even after he’d gone I would sit there, waiting. Part of me knew he wasn’t going to come home any more, but part of me wouldn’t believe it. I thought that if I just sat there long enough he really would come through the door again.”
Anna’s reflections brought a lump to Jason’s throat. “I lost my father two years ago, but I was lucky to have him for so long since his health was very poor for years.” He gave a grimace. “But I don’t know how your family coped.”
“We had no choice. Dad used to call Elaine and me ‘his little women’. He was such a good man, so kind and gentle. I never knew him to be angry.”
He squeezed her shoulder trying to bring some comfort. “You’ve been through a lot, but I promise that you’ll be happy from now on. I’ll do all I can to make you happy.”
“I know I shall be happy with you, despite having to go through a divorce with a despicable man.” She remembered her phone call to her husband. “When I asked Dave for a divorce I could almost feel his hatred, even though he was hundreds of miles away. I felt afraid and I was so grateful I wasn’t in the room with him. I hope to God that Nigel can do what’s necessary without me having to set eyes on Dave again.”
“Your husband wouldn’t dare hurt you, not while I’m around,” said Jason, his eyes turning dark.
She grinned. “My hero.”
He grimaced and then burst out laughing. “Oh dear, is it old-fashioned now for a man to want to protect his lady? Perhaps it smacks too much of chivalrous knights and damsels in distress. And you’ve proved how strong and self-reliant you can be.”
“I don’t thing I’m a damsel in distress, but every woman dreams of a knight who will fight for her honour.”
He smiled with her. “Now, are you ready? Ben is champing at the bit to be gone.”
The following morning, Anna rang Nigel Barnes and gave him the information regarding her husband’s solicitor. He reassured her that once they had made contact, events would start moving. However, he wanted to make another appointment for her for the following week.
And there was a great deal to do during the following week. Anna soon moved her things into Jason’s room and made herself comfortable. Not only was it the largest bedroom in the house but also boasted a king’s size bed and huge built-in wardrobe that Anna loved on sight.
They had arrived back to a mountain of mail that included a wedding invitation from Sharon. She was to marry just eighteen days before Christmas Day and everyone was invited just as she had promised before leaving. Anna sent an immediate acceptance and included a short note telling her that the invitation might be reciprocated in due course. She smiled as she put the stamp on the envelope knowing that Sharon would be agog with speculation.
Working together again turned out to be exciting as well as exhilarating. They soon fell into their normal routine and Jason’s life picked up once more with his endless meetings and trips abroad. But there was one marked difference and that was their time in the office was punctuated with the occasional kiss and caress.
“You’ve heard nothing?” said Anna in dismay.
Nigel leaned forward in his chair and put his forearms on the desk. “I would have expected something from your husband’s solicitor by now.”
“I don’t understand. That was the name he gave me.”
“We can only wait until the paperwork arrives. I’m sure it’s on its way,” he said, smiling with confidence. “Are you sure he said he would file for divorce?”
“He told me to forget the idea of divorcing him, so I assumed he would file.” She squeezed her hands together. “Can’t you write to them and ask them to hurry up?”
He grinned. “I’ve often had those thoughts myself but unfortunately it’s unethical.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your husband might have decided to choose another firm of solicitors. And if he is filing for divorce then his solicitor must approach me first. I’m afraid my hands are tied until I hear something.”
Anna glanced over to the window and watched two pigeons strutting on the ledge. This was the second time she had sat in Nigel’s office and she had hoped this appointment would just be a formality since she had told him the information he required.
“What happens if I file?”
“Then I could approach this firm of solicitors. Do you want me to do that?” Anna licked her lips. “Unless you can talk to your husband once more and find out what his plans are?”
She shuddered at that request. “Oh dear, I don’t fancy doing that again.”
“It would move the situation along a bit if you could summon up the courage.”
She pulled a face but then became more practical. “What would happen if you didn’t hear from any solicitor?”
Nigel sat back in his chair. This was an awkward question. “Then I will write to the one you gave me and say you’re filing for
divorce. However, I think we’d have a long battle on our hands if your husband denies adultery.”
“And I wouldn’t get my divorce.”
“Well, you could still go for unreasonable behaviour.”
Anna grimaced. “I’ll have to think about that one, it just seems so much more complicated.” She gave a sigh. “I suppose I could wait the year out.”
He nodded, understanding. “I would start proceedings as soon as the year was up, if you are willing to wait.”
Anna considered this for a while before saying, “That could be what he’s after. He’s already told me that I’m not going to get a penny so making me wait sounds just like him.”
“You have a right to a share of the property.”
Anna left Nigel’s office with a heavy heart. What on earth was Dave up to? Was he so vindictive that he would fight her every inch of the way? As she walked towards the car she wondered if she could pluck up the courage to phone him once more. But she winced at the thought of giving him another opportunity to insult her.
If Anna thought her appointment with Nigel was disappointing then this turned out to be insignificant compared to the news she received just five days later. Chris phoned to say that they had to cancel the proposed visit at the end of the month. It seemed that both the boys had decided to move into halls that weekend in preparation for their first term at university and since their lives were so busy at the moment, he suggested that they postpone their visit until Christmas. Anna tried to take it bravely, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a firm hand. She understood perfectly that they would need to settle in and if they didn’t have time to see her then so be it, she had walked out of their lives and it was unfair to expect them to accommodate her. But she had looked forward to them meeting Jason. Then she wondered if a visit to Wakefield would be in order, to catch them before they left.
“Sweetheart, I’m up to my gills in work too so I can’t take you at the moment,” said Jason sadly, when Anna asked him.
“I suppose I could travel up there and visit them myself. I could stay with Mum.”
“What about your husband? Is there any chance of your paths crossing?”
Anna glanced up at him and saw the worried expression in his eyes. Since their conversation on the stairs at the Grange, he had become very concerned about her safety.
“I don’t think he would hurt me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t like to give him the opportunity,” he replied tersely.
She didn’t want to cause Jason any worry and decided to wait until Christmas.
There was one thing they didn’t have to wait for and that was the arrival home of little Hollie. Ben had travelled to Vancouver the weekend the boys should have come to visit and spent the next four days there before bringing her home. She bounded into the house carrying a huge bag of presents and telling everyone a month’s worth of news in five minutes. She gave everyone a big hug and then ran upstairs to see that her room was OK. Their meal that evening was more chaotic than they were used to as Hollie told them about Ben’s promise to build her a Wendy house in the garden. It seemed that she had played in the one her mother had had when she was a girl and had taken a serious liking to it. In fact, the entire visit had been a great success and Hollie had visited many of the places linked to her mother’s childhood.
After the household had calmed down, Jason told his daughter that very soon she would have a stepmother.
“But not a wicked one!” laughed Anna.
“Are you really, really going to get married?” said Hollie, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
Anna nodded. “We’ve decided to get married at the Grange.”
“When?” she asked.
Taken aback by the question, Anna turned to Jason for help.
“We’re not sure yet, sweetie. There’s lots to sort out,” he said.
“But Grandma Harrington says it’ll be OK?”
“Oh, yes. It’s just that we’ve not set a date yet.”
“Is everyone invited?”
Ben answered with a sharp retort. “Do you think we’re going to stay away? Not likely!”
Mrs Wilby agreed wholeheartedly without taking her eyes from her knitting.
“Can I be a bridesmaid?”
Anna felt startled. “Goodness, I’ve not thought of that.” She studied Hollie for a moment as if pondering the matter. “What do you think?” she said winking at Jason.
“She’ll scrub up OK,” he said nonchalantly.
Anna held out her arms to the little girl. “Of course you can.” Hollie ran to her and Anna held her in a tight hug. “Now, I wonder what colour your bridesmaid’s dress will be?”
“Pink! Pink!”
“What a surprise!” said Anna.
Anna didn’t feel so gleeful when they went to bed that night.
“Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever get married,” she said.
“Now what’s brought this on?”
She let out a sigh. “Nigel said he’ll phone me when he gets the paperwork from my husband’s solicitor. But I’ve heard nothing yet and the waiting is killing me.”
Jason rolled over and raised himself on one elbow, looking down at her. “Impatient to be my wife, eh?” he chuckled. “Even if things don’t start moving until the summer, we can still get married next year.”
“But I was hoping for May when it’s your birthday.”
Jason opened his eyes wide in horror. “Dear God, forty-one!”
“Oh, well that convinces me. I’m not marrying a decrepit old sod like you!”
“You cheeky…old am I!”
He grabbed her and pinned her down while she struggled, squealing with delight. But within seconds his mouth was on hers and she surrendered. What was it about this man that he could arouse her desire so spontaneously? The thought lasted a second only. His tongue was exploring, making her melt with wanting, needing. She met his passion with a moan of welcome.
Hollie duly returned to school the following week, pristinely dressed in her winter uniform of black pleated skirt, blue blouse and black sweater with the school’s motif emblazoned on it. She was very reluctant to go and only Anna’s entreaties that it wouldn’t be long before Christmas, encouraged her to climb into the car with her father. Anna waved her off every morning and then would have a quick cup of coffee with Ben and Mrs Wilby before resuming her own work in the office. The work seemed relentless with Jason chasing contracts all over the world. There was even talk of him travelling to Singapore to start negotiations for a job that would last for the next five years. Harrington Rhodes Shipping Agents was going from strength to strength.
During the next few weeks, Anna received numerous phone calls from her family. Although not able to make a visit, her mother, sister and sons kept in touch regularly and after each phone call, Anna glowed with a vivaciousness that added to her beauty. Unfortunately, her happiness was short-lived, since no news came from her husband. Finally, Anna plucked up the courage to ask her mother about Dave. Her mother had to admit that Dave had been sullen and moody for quite a while, snapping at anyone who so much as mentioned Anna’s name. As for him instructing a solicitor? Her mother was completely in the dark about that, but she offered to broach the subject with him. Anna found she had no choice, but to leave it in her mother’s hands.
Jason was away on one of his interminable business trips and Anna missed him terribly. He had often suggested her accompanying him but she felt she should stay behind and care for Hollie, so keeping her promise to Kiera. The personnel in the main office in Bristol now knew that she and Jason were engaged and after an initial week or so of rumour and innuendo over her ‘widow’ status, the news fell into history and was overtaken by other events on the world stage.
Anna stood at the window looking out at the garden. She noticed how the trees were starting to turn bright gold and orange and sometimes an occasional leaf would flutter to the ground. It wouldn’t be long before all the leaves would be falling and winter would b
e on the way. The garden, as well as the cars, were Ben’s pride and joy and even now, she could see him cutting back a few late summer roses. He looked up, spied her and gave her a wave. Anna smiled and raised her hand in acknowledgement. She took in a lungful of air and then collected up her jacket and bag. She had an appointment with the doctor and she didn’t want to be late.
It was Hollie’s bedtime. A routine had developed were Anna would see to her bath and then spend some time with her, brushing her hair and talking with her. She would let her babble on about anything, her school, her mother, and her visit to Vancouver. But soon the conversation came round to Anna’s wedding.
“But why don’t you know when it is?” said Hollie irritably.
Anna sighed. “It’s a bit complicated. But as soon as we set a date you’ll be the first to know.” She stopped brushing the long, dark hair. “It might be a year before we get married.”
“A year!” puffed Hollie in disgust. “Well, we’d better not buy my dress just yet or I’ll be too big for it.” The little girl studied this morsel of information a moment longer. “Is it because Mummy died? Aren’t you allowed to get married for a while?” Anna pursed her lips and decided that she would tell the truth. And so she told Hollie about her marriage and how she needed a divorce before she could marry again. At the conclusion, Hollie frowned. “So, your husband didn’t die?” Anna nodded shamefully. “But why did you say he’d died?”
Anna nearly choked on her reply. “It was silly of me…I should have told the truth.”
“Was Daddy cross?”
“No, he wasn’t. And I was so glad.”
Anna couldn’t help feeling downhearted the following day and worked tirelessly trying to banish the thoughts of hatred for her husband from her mind. But events turned even worse when she was turning off the computer for the day and her mother phoned. She had indeed broached the subject with Dave, but all he had said was that his wife could ‘go to hell!’ Anna went to have a shower, since they were having dinner with Nigel and Sophia Barnes that evening. She let her tears be washed away with the warm soothing water.