A Complicated Woman

by Sheelagh Kelly

  Her friend was baffled. ‘But I thought you were staying where you were?’

  ‘That was before I met Daniel.’ Oriel perched on the edge of the sofa.

  Dorothy frowned, but not for too long. ‘You mean, you and him are—’

  She nodded happily. ‘I can’t believe it. It’s all—’

  ‘You can’t believe it?’ Dorothy flopped into the chair opposite her, laughing. ‘Ye gods, how on earth did this happen?’

  Oriel shook her head, obviously still amazed by it too. ‘I don’t know. It’s as if someone engineered it but I swear that marriage was the last thing on my mind two days ago.’

  ‘Marriage!’ Dorothy was confounded. ‘You haven’t even got a divorce yet.’

  ‘I know. It was bad enough before, having to wait to be free, but now it’s going to seem like a lifetime.’

  ‘You always had a soft spot for Daniel, didn’t you?’ said her friend, eyeing her. When Oriel bit her lip she added, ‘Oh, don’t worry, it wouldn’t have been obvious to most people. You just got this little smile on your face when you told me what he was like after you’d first met him. Then you never mentioned his name again – even after you’d been staying at Melinda’s on holiday you never mentioned him once unless I happened to ask.’

  Oriel looked rueful. ‘And here’s me thinking I’m being clever. I might as well have been open about it. Clive thinks I’ve been having an affair with Daniel for the last ten years anyway. He won’t believe it just happened on the spur of the moment, that we were both walking along the same street and bumped into each other and within half an hour Daniel had proposed. It’s not quite the stuff of reality, is it?’

  ‘No, but it’s awfully romantic,’ sighed Dorothy, looking rather wistful. ‘Golly, aren’t you brave?’

  ‘Melinda wouldn’t think so.’ Oriel’s red lips formed a cryptic smile. ‘To her I’ll be a cruel home-wrecking bitch. And maybe I am.’ She gripped her knees.

  Her friend supported her. ‘They can’t have been right for each other in the first place.’

  ‘Who knows? I thought Clive was the right person for me once – until I lived with him. Then I realized the truth in the old saying, marry in haste and repent at leisure.’

  Dorothy shrank. ‘Oh don’t, you’re making me feel guilty for introducing you to him.’

  ‘You didn’t force me into wedlock with him though, did you? I hate to admit it now but I think I married him because all my friends were getting married and I didn’t want to be left out, and I picked the first man who didn’t reject me. And if I’m honest it was to spite my father as well, choosing someone who was the complete opposite of him. My mother thinks I’m still looking for a father, apparently.’ She sighed and told Dorothy about Clive’s disclosure. ‘I feel really hurt. How could Mother say that behind my back? And she’s wrong. I certainly don’t look upon Daniel that way. Far from it.’

  Having seen a photograph, Dorothy agreed that he was very attractive. ‘He’s got a lovely smile.’

  ‘Yes, he has. It’s not just that though, it’s – oh, it’s hard to define, but it’s something in his eyes that tells me he knows everything about me. We’re like two halves of the same person. Even when I thought I loved Clive it felt nothing like this. Sometimes I got the feeling he didn’t have an earthly idea what I was talking about. Daniel and I might not agree on everything but when he speaks and when I speak there’s no ambiguity, each of us knows precisely what the other means. When I’m with him I feel like I’m inside him – oh, what airy-fairy stuff for this time of the morning!’

  Oriel jumped up. ‘I’ll have to go, I’ve got a house to look at in Parkville. I know it’s miles away but it was the only one in the paper I could afford. It’ll mean a lot of travelling back and forth to school but I can always move back when something more suitable comes up. That’s where I need your help, in finding somewhere in Brighton.’ Dorothy said she would go out now and look. Oriel issued profuse thanks. ‘The thing is, I need to move in tomorrow.’

  ‘Tomorrow!’ Dorothy grabbed her bag.

  ‘Well, Daniel could call at any time – I gave him your telephone number by the way. Hope you don’t mind? Anyway, I’ll have to dash. Can I meet you back here in an hour or so?’

  After travelling to the city, making quick inspection of the house in Parkville – which was grubby and rundown and a bit cramped for a family of four, but at least readily available and the rent cheap – Oriel returned to Dorothy’s in the hope that her friend had had more luck.

  Alas, she was informed that none of the houses to let in Brighton was available at such short notice. Thanking her, Oriel used Dorothy’s telephone to reserve the house in Parkville. ‘At least I’m a long way from Clive,’ she grinned at her friend.

  With lots to do she did not tarry. When she arrived home around eleven Clive was in the hall on the telephone listening to someone who was obviously doing all the talking.

  When the other person drew breath he said, ‘Excuse me, she’s just come in if you want to speak to her.’ Handing over the receiver he announced, ‘It’s Melinda,’ before stalking off to the lounge.

  Reluctantly, Oriel lifted the receiver to her ear. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Just a minute! Alan, stop doing that.’ There was a short series of frustrated gasps, then Melinda spoke from a public telephone. ‘Oriel, please, don’t do this to us. I’m begging you, not just for myself but for the children. They’re hardly more than babies and they love their daddy. You’re ripping this family apart.’

  Oriel could only say, ‘Mel, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it to happen.’

  ‘Then don’t let it! All you have to do is say no. Please. If he isn’t getting any encouragement he’ll stay, I know he will. You don’t know him, Oriel. You’ve only met him a handful of times, you can’t possibly know what he’s like to live with. He’s just going through a bad patch, he thinks you’ll solve everything but you won’t. You can’t love him any more than I do.’

  Oriel faltered. ‘I know it’s not what you want to hear but I can only say I’m sorry.’

  There was a muttered response which she did not catch, then the line went dead. Trembling from shock, she put down the receiver and was about to wander off when the telephone rang again, sending her heart into palpitations.

  Fearing it was Melinda again she let it ring a few times before picking it up and issuing a cautious hello.

  It was Dorothy. ‘Can you talk?’

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘All right, I’ll do all the talking. Daniel’s just rung. He wants to meet you in the city on Saturday at noon under the clocks.’ It was Wednesday today. ‘He’s going to ring back for an answer in an hour. What do I say?’

  It might be Dorothy who spoke but in Oriel’s mind her voice was obscured by Melinda’s pleading accusation. They’re hardly more than babies and they love their daddy… All you have to do is say no.

  ‘Hello! Are you there?’

  She inhaled. ‘Yes.’

  ‘You mean yes you can meet him?’

  Oriel stammered, ‘No. Yes! I don’t know – Dorothy, I’ll have to ring you back.’ Her mind was a whirlpool.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Everything.’

  ‘Well, remember I’m here.’

  ‘You don’t know how much I appreciate that, Ratty. Thanks, I’ll ring you later.’

  Her stomach was rumbling, but food was the last thing on Oriel’s mind. Seeking privacy, she wandered ghostlike into the dining room and sat to gaze at her reflection in the polished wood, but was not allowed to be alone for long.

  Clive appeared in the doorway, suspicion in his eyes. ‘Who was that, Rudolf Valentino?’

  ‘No, it was Dot.’ With things to organize, Oriel had intended to remain in the house but found that she could not stand to be in his company. She ejected herself from the chair. ‘I’m going out.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘That’s for me to know.’ But she did not know at all – had no id
ea where her brisk march would take her, only hoped it would help to clear her mind.

  It was to no avail. After an hour under the blazing sun, Mel’s accusation nagging at her conscience, she was forced to see the futility of this and decided to go home. Happily, when she got there the house was empty. The telephone was ringing too. It was Dorothy again. ‘Sorry, when you didn’t ring back I rang you but I got hold of Clive and he gave me the third degree.’

  Oriel lowered herself on to a wooden chair. ‘I had to go out. I can’t think in this place.’

  ‘Daniel rang again. I explained I hadn’t been able to get an answer from you so he said he’d wait under the clocks anyway.’

  Oriel nodded to herself. ‘I couldn’t say before when Clive was here. Mel rang me.’

  ‘Oh Lord, I’ll bet that was tricky.’

  ‘I know you don’t like her, Dot, but it was really awful.’

  ‘I’m sure it was.’ The tone was genuine.

  ‘No, she wasn’t nasty as you’d expect her to be, quite the opposite. She begged me not to take him.’

  ‘Well, she would know how to manipulate you, you’ve been friends a long time.’

  Oriel cringed.

  At the other end of the line Dorothy felt the vibration. ‘Sorry, I’m not being very helpful, am I?’

  Oriel’s fingers gripped the receiver. ‘I don’t know if I can go. I just keep thinking of his children.’

  ‘Ah.’ Dorothy gave quiet acknowledgement.

  ‘I can’t get them out of my mind. Just when I’ve found him. I can only have Daniel if I destroy his family. I don’t know if I can do it.’ But what was the point of life without him?

  ‘Well… I’m sure you’ll do the right thing,’ said her friend.

  * * *

  When Clive returned Oriel suspected nothing, not having the slightest interest where he had been. However, he came out into the backyard where Oriel, seeking therapy, was wrenching out weeds.

  ‘If you’re wondering where I was, the bank manager rang and asked me to go in for a chat. Seems he had a call from the branch in town. They were a little concerned that you’d requested our account to be transferred to your name only. So was I. I kicked up a bit of a stink. So, now you’ll be pleased to know that neither of us can get any money out unless the other one signs too. Serves you right for trying to cheat me.

  Oriel flung aside a shard of Chinese pottery and stood up. How can I be cheating you out of what’s mine, she thought angrily, but uttered through gritted teeth, ‘I was advised to do it by my solicitor. We’ll see about this.’

  Storming for the washhouse she changed her shoes, rinsed the dirt from her hands and went to her bedroom. After a quick application of lipstick she grabbed her bag, then went directly to the bank where she approached the nearest free teller, producing the receipt she had been given. ‘I left my bank book with you yesterday and now I want it back!’

  Unnerved by the customer’s tone, the inexperienced young man left the counter and approached an older member of staff. Both stared at Oriel whilst obviously discussing her. She seethed.

  The stupid-looking youth came back to the counter. ‘Sorry, madam, I can’t hand the book over. This account’s been temporarily frozen.’

  ‘You’ve no right! That’s my money!’

  Heads turned. The youth tried to be helpful and traced a finger over the names on the inner cover of the book. ‘Well, it’s a joint account, you see. You can have it if your husband signs too.’

  She erupted. ‘It’s not his bloody money, it’s mine!’

  The young fellow’s mouth fell slack, making him appear even more idiotic. ‘I’m sorry but it’s in joint names. I can’t give you any money without your husband’s consent.’

  Oriel was trembling with rage. Her voice rose an octave. ‘I demand that you give me my money!’

  People were staring, muttering, smirking, but she was oblivious to them. The cashier appeared to be at a loss as to what to do. He was saved by the senior teller, who elbowed him aside and said in pacific tone to Oriel, ‘I’m sure we can sort matters out, madam, if you would just care to come into the manager’s office.’

  ‘Indeed I will!’ Face like thunder, Oriel marched towards the indicated door, preceded by the unctuous teller and his minion.

  The manager, a cadaverous man, was polite. ‘Take a seat, Mrs—’

  ‘Mrs Widdowes.’ The teller beat Oriel to an answer, and quickly outlined the problem, laying the bank book in front of his superior.

  ‘Ah yes.’ Remembering the telephone call he had made earlier, the manager’s dark, sunken eyes consulted the book and, noting that a substantial amount was involved, tried to pacify the irate customer. ‘Well I don’t see any difficulty here, Mrs Widdowes. Certainly we can let you withdraw any amount that you require.’

  For one brief moment Oriel’s temper calmed.

  ‘Whenever it is convenient for your husband to come and sign the—’

  ‘It’s not his bloody money!’ Her voice rose to a bellow.

  ‘Would you like a cup of coffee?’ tendered the moronic-looking boy, as if he were going to wet his pants.

  ‘No I would not!’ Oriel glared at the three imbeciles, who seemed mesmerized by her rage. ‘All I want is what’s rightfully mine! I’ve been banking here for ten years!’

  ‘Have you really?’ The senior teller feigned interest in order to try to calm the virago and exchanged impressed looks with his companions.

  ‘Needless to say I’ll be taking my custom elsewhere once this is sorted out!’

  The manager’s voice was uneven but he retained his air of control. ‘We’d still need your husband’s signature.’

  Oriel shot from her chair causing the trio to flinch. It was futile to remain here. She was only going to make herself more and more angry. Before she reached the door, however, she remembered something. She still had an account in her maiden name, the one she’d used before her marriage. There wasn’t much in it – fifty pounds she discovered on rummaging in her bag and triumphantly producing the book – but the act would serve as small revenge.

  ‘Well, I won’t need his signature for this! You can close it, now.’ She almost threw the book at the manager.

  ‘Certainly, madam.’ He remained polite. ‘Mr Bettridge, would you finalize this account and bring the money back to my office. Mrs Widdowes, are you sure you wouldn’t like—’

  ‘No thank you!’ Stiff-backed, Oriel sat down in an attitude that said she had no wish to converse either. When the money was brought in and counted out before her she stuffed it into her handbag and without comment left the bank.

  Upon being presented with her outraged tale of what had occurred in the bank Clive looked sheepish but stood his ground.

  ‘The damned cheek of it!’ spat Oriel. ‘It can’t be legal. Well, I’m going to ring my solicitor right now.’

  Upon telephoning, she discovered that the bank was in order in requesting both signatures. The only consolation was that Clive could withdraw nothing either without her permission. If she had received better advice then she would not be in this mess but it was too late now. Slamming down the telephone she went back to demand of Clive, ‘What am I supposed to live on?’

  He was waspish. ‘Hasn’t that Daniel got any money?’

  ‘That’s got nothing to do with it!’

  ‘Yes it bloody has! I haven’t worked my arse off for nine years in order for him to walk in and grab the lot.’

  Oriel wanted to shout, don’t be so bloody stupid! You think we bought all this on the pittance you earn? But she had hurt him enough by leaving him and so kept the retort to herself.

  He reverted to his pathetic stance. ‘It’s not fair. I haven’t done anything wrong.’

  Her snakeskin shoes paced the carpet. Oh no, good old Clive couldn’t possibly have done anything wrong, could he?

  Faced with her silence he demanded, ‘When are you going to live with him then?’

  She stopped pacing and looked sub
dued. ‘I’m not sure if I am now. I keep thinking of his kids. He’s asked me to meet him but, I don’t know—’ Her voice trailed away.

  ‘I think you should at least go and talk to him.’ Clive gave a bitter laugh. ‘Huh! Listen to me, telling my wife to go and meet another man. But this business needs sorting out. It can’t go on like this.’

  Oriel performed another silent scream – I am not your bloody wife! I never have been and I never will be, and even if Daniel weren’t involved do you think I’d have you back?

  But he was right about one thing: it could not go on. Even as she voiced her reluctance to hurt Daniel’s children she knew in her heart what her path would be.

  Looking at the clock, she saw that it was almost time to go and pick up the children. Refusing the lift he offered, she departed.

  Instead of coming straight home, she asked Jennifer and Dorrie if they would like to go and play with Dorothy’s children for a while, giving herself the opportunity for more heart-pouring.

  Upon hearing the latest fiasco, her friend as ever was sympathetic.

  ‘That’s not right! What are you going to live on if Clive won’t sign?’

  Oriel looked out of the window, watching the children playing in the garden. ‘I don’t give a damn if he won’t sign now. I won’t go grovelling to the bank to get what’s rightfully mine and I certainly won’t be seen dead with him.’ She came back to sit with her friend.

  ‘Once your divorce comes about I expect he’ll have to give you some money,’ opined Dorothy.

  ‘Probably – but how long will that take? Clive’s determined to drag things out. And why should he have more than his fair share? I mean I know he’s entitled to what he earned but most of that money came from Miss Bytheway, not to mention what I’ve already invested in the house. And I’ve got the children to look after. Fifty pounds! That’s all I’ve got in the world. What a good job I kept that account open or I wouldn’t have had any money for bills or even food.’

  ‘So you closed it?’

  ‘You’re damned right! I wouldn’t deposit so much as a fart in that bloody bank now.’

  Dorothy couldn’t help laughing. ‘I’m sure they’ll be pleased about that.’