by Jo Jakeman
“What is it?”
“Just . . . enjoy yourselves, yeah? But . . . but not too much. I want you to come back. And if you find your dream location or whatever for this wine bar of yours—”
“I never said I was looking for a wine bar.”
“You can thank me for the idea later. Anyway, make sure there’s enough room for me ’cause you don’t get rid of me that easily, you know?”
“I know.”
I smile.
We hug awkwardly through the open window.
“I’ll call you,” I say.
“I’ll probably be too busy to answer, but sure, whatever makes you feel better.”
We drive away and I watch Rachel return to the dark puddle of mourners. Behind me, I hear Naomi unzip a bag.
“I got you a gift,” she says.
She hands me a heavy blue cylinder.
“What’s this?”
“Wrong question, duck. You should be asking who is this?”
“No, it isn’t. Is it? What’s he doing here?”
“I’m sick of him being under my kitchen sink. Gives me the heebie-jeebies thinking of ’im lurkin’ in my kitchen.”
I glance at Alistair, who’s engrossed in his iPad. Building blocks in alternate worlds. A universe away.
“What do you plan on doing with . . . it?”
“Thought we could dump it somewhere,” Naomi says.
“Where? I don’t know. I feel odd about it. Like perhaps we should wait?”
“You know, darlings,” says Ruby, “you can put ashes in fireworks or make them into jewelry, or even tattoos?”
“Why on earth would we want to . . .” I begin, but my voice trails off as I look at the urn. I lift him up and he’s heavier than I expected.
The coroner ruled the whole episode as accidental death, even though the driver of the car said there was no doubt in his mind that Phillip had stepped into the road on purpose. Witnesses said they’d been begging the council for years to do something about that stretch of road. In fact, they wouldn’t be surprised if he’d tripped over the wobbly curbstone that hadn’t been replaced since that accident where a woman lost her baby. Such a shame. One minute you’re out for a nice morning walk and the next . . . Bam!
“The important thing,” says Ruby, “is not to get too hung up on it. We should respectfully dispose of his remains. Not for his sake, but for ours.”
“Yeah, but there’s no reason why we can’t have a bit of fun doing it, though, eh?” says Naomi. “I don’t want to do it on me own. I’m not being funny or anything, but it’s something we should do together, symbolic like. You know, he brought us together. Us being, well, friends—he’d hate it. But, you know, I sort of like it. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a family. Talking of which—” She pauses and takes a deep breath. “I’m meeting Helen when we get back.”
“Oh, darling,” says Ruby, craning to look in the rearview mirror at Naomi. “That’s wonderful news.”
“Yeah,” Naomi continues, “she sounded lovely on the phone. A bit dippy but, you know, nice. I don’t know what to call her, though. Do I call her Mum? I mean, it’s not like she’s been a mother to me, but it don’t seem right calling her Helen neither.”
“Why don’t you decide when you meet her?” I say. “You could ask her how she feels about it. God, Nay, I’m so excited for you.”
I settle back into the seat, carefully cradling the urn, scared I’ll spill some of Phillip on the pristine interior of Ruby’s new camper van.
I put my hand upon Ruby’s on the gear stick.
“Thanks for this. I think that we might live to regret going on a road trip together, but still . . .”
“I bet you we’ll get on like a house on fire,” Naomi says.
There’s silence for a moment as the three of us are brought to mind of being locked in a burning house. I can feel the heat prickle the hairs on my arms and my breath catches in my chest, but it’s only the heat of the sun. I start to laugh. Quietly at first; then Naomi and then Ruby join in with such vigor that Ruby has to pull the van over to the side of the road.
Ruby wipes the tears from her eyes, but they keep coming with every laugh. Just the sight of her makes me double up and struggle to regain composure. A bird lands on the lip of the plastic waste bin by my open window and appears to look at us quizzically. Three madwomen.
“How the hell are we still sane?” I ask.
“We’re not,” Naomi says. “But, sane or not, we’re stronger for it. We know what we’re capable of, and, more than ever, we know what we want. Am I right?”
I nod yes, and Ruby puts the van in first gear. We cheer as she flicks on the indicator.
“Wait,” I say.
I look at the urn. I lift it up.
“What is this?” I ask.
“You know who it is,” says Naomi.
“Not who. What. It isn’t him anymore, and yet he’s still a burden. A heavy weight, both physically and metaphorically, taking up room in our minds as we wonder what to do with him. This feels momentous. Like I’m starting again, reborn. I know that sounds cheesy but . . . there’s no one telling me I can’t do what I want, that I’m no good. I don’t want to start this new chapter with . . . this thing still in it. Would you mind if . . . ?”
I glance at the bin. Ruby puts her hand on my arm and gently squeezes.
“It’s fine by me, darling. Naomi?”
“You know me—I’d’ve chucked him in the bin yonks ago.”
“So I should . . .”
“Do it,” says Naomi.
“Go on,” says Ruby.
I look down at my hand. Though I’ve lost enough weight to take it off, the thin wedding band is still there. It gives the illusion of having separated my finger from my hand. A part of my body that still belongs to Phillip Rochester. I slip it off with ease and roll it between my thumb and forefinger. It weighs almost nothing. Inconsequential. And I wonder why I’ve attached such significance to it all these years. In an instant I throw the ring and the urn into the bin. At the dull thud, flies take to the air, disturbed from their heat-induced stupor.
I raise my right hand by Ruby’s side. Both Ruby and Naomi grasp it and cheer. I look at them. These newfound friends who know me better than I know myself, who are each a part of me and I a part of them. Brought together in hardship but with nothing but respect for each other. I know that we will be friends for life.
Naomi lets go of my hand and throws both arms around me from behind.
“Can we get out of here before I start sobbing?” she says. And again we laugh as Ruby presses the accelerator and we leave the past behind us in a cloud of dust.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I must begin by thanking my agent, Imogen Pelham at Marjacq Scripts. She believed in me when I didn’t dare to believe in myself. I had no idea how many people would be involved in bringing my debut to life, so I’d like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone at my publishers. Special thanks to Danielle Perez at Berkley, for taking the women of The Exes’ Revenge to her heart and making their voices heard, and to Jade Chandler at Harvill Secker, whose patience and insight I’ll be forever grateful for.
I have such gratitude for Curtis Brown Creative. Especially my course tutor, Lisa O’Donnell, and my talented course-mates Jane, Anjana, Andrew, Steven, Yvonne, Osman, Amanda, Johan, Cate, Deborah, Helen, Phil, Nik, and David, whose critique and encouragement has been invaluable. The next round is on me.
York Festival of Writing gave me a life-changing opportunity when they shortlisted me for Friday Night Live, and I can’t thank them enough. It also led me to the women who would become my writing group: Roz Watkins, Fran Dorricott, Sophie Snell, and Louise Trevatt. They are a talented bunch of writers I’m proud to call friends.
The Derby Book Festival and, in particular, Jenny, Sian, Liz, an
d Theresa deserve a special mention. It has been an honor to be involved in the festival since its inception in 2015. Their continuing support means the world to me.
Thanks also to Alex Davis, the first person not related to me to read the full manuscript. He gave me support, guidance, and encouragement, which I treasure.
Thank you to my friends, too many to mention by name, who have encouraged me to write for many years before this book was even an idea. I am indebted to each and every one of those who played a part in keeping me sane, whether offering critique of my work, making me laugh, or topping up my wineglass when empty. I couldn’t have done this without them.
Finally, and most enthusiastically, I have to give thanks to my family and acknowledge the part they played in breathing life into this book. My sons, Alex and Danny, are my greatest cheerleaders and never complain when I shut myself away to work. They are possibly more excited than I at the prospect of this book being read by complete strangers, and I love them without end. My mum, Julie, provided food and child care in times of desperation and has never knowingly passed up an opportunity to tell people about this book!
And last, my husband, James. He deserves a page all to himself. His unwavering support, when I considered giving up writing altogether, is the only reason this book exists. In a world blighted by Phillips, he is my knight in shining armor.
Readers Guide for
THE EXES’ REVENGE
Discussion Questions
Although frustrated with the status of their divorce, Imogen is shown to be a nonviolent and nonimpulsive person. If Phillip hadn’t demanded that she and their son move out, do you think Imogen would have reacted the way she did?
Initially, Imogen, Ruby, and Naomi have different feelings about Phillip and somewhat negative feelings about one another. Despite these differences they ultimately decide to unite against him. Have you ever had to work with someone you disagreed with for the greater good? What were the challenges? Was the outcome worth it?
The story explores different kinds of relationships, including those between parents and children, friendships, and love between romantic partners. Do you think that each of the characters’ relationships with their parental figures influences the events of the story? How significant is it that the women had few people to turn to?
Although the story is mostly told through Imogen’s perspective, there are also glimpses into Ruby’s, Naomi’s, and even Phillip’s pasts. Why do you think the author chose to include these moments of alternate perspectives? Did it change the way you felt about any of the characters and their relationships?
Discuss Imogen’s relationship with her son. How do you think she reconciled Alistair’s desire for his father’s love with the knowledge of Phillip’s abusive behavior?
Do you understand why Naomi and Imogen were both reluctant to go to the police during their relationships with Phillip despite the abuse they endured?
Ruby doesn’t believe the truth about Phillip right away, despite what she is told by Imogen and Naomi. Why do you think she is so determined to see the best in him?
It’s clear from the beginning of the novel that Phillip dies during the events of the book. Are the circumstances of his death satisfying? Would you have preferred that he had lived to be prosecuted for his crimes?
Do you think it’s inevitable for friendships or bonds to form between people who experience a shared trauma, such as what Imogen, Naomi, and Ruby share? Why or why not?
About the Author
Jo Jakeman was the winner of the Friday Night Live competition at the York Festival of Writing in 2016. Born in Cyprus, she worked for many years in London before moving to the countryside with her husband and twin boys. The Exes' Revenge is her debut thriller.
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