by Nicola May
‘He always travelled with work, that’s why you found those,’ Jess replied, not wanting to believe what she was hearing.
The first policeman continued. ‘We are obviously making enquiries with all of the ladies concerned. We have reason to believe that your husband’s philandering could well have led to the incident at your house.’
Jess felt sick. She sighed deeply in disbelief. The second policeman, who was young enough to be her grandson suddenly piped up. ‘I’m afraid we have more bad news for you.’
Jess sunk into her seat, how on earth could she possibly hear something worse than her husband being a serial adulterer?
‘Due to the serious nature of the incident at your house, we obviously had to go through all of your husband’s paperwork and computer files. I’m afraid it’s come to light he didn’t renew the buildings and contents insurance for Fern Cottage this year.’
Too busy bloody shagging probably, Jess thought. Then, realising the seriousness of what they were saying, she tried to think clearly. ‘OK, but I know he had life insurance policies. He did always joke saying that if something ever did happen to him, I would be more than fine. These policies will cover the house rebuild, I know they will.’
The policemen looked at each other and Jess could tell there was worse to come.
‘What? What now?’ she spat. ‘Please don’t tell me they were invalid too?’
‘Not invalid, Mrs. Beresford, but it has also come to light that your husband had a tendency for gambling over the internet. He was in a lot of debt, so much so that his company is now in liquidation. Whatever money he did have will go to pay his debtors. I’m so sorry.’
Jess thought she was going to be sick. Not only did she now not have anywhere to live, she had no money to live on. Angry that these two total strangers had delivered such devastating news in such a cold fashion, she jumped up and slung her handbag over her shoulder. ‘Take me home please.’
Chapter Twenty-five
Hope was waiting for her on her return. She could see the look of pain on her friend’s face. ‘Come on in, angel, tell me all about it.’
‘I need a drink, Hope.’
‘Tea?’
‘No, something much stronger!’
Hope poured Jess a large scotch, and they made their way out to sit in her rambling garden. It was a beautiful sunny April day. Hope’s youthful, bare-chested gardener was down by the orchard on a sit-on mower. Jess laughed momentarily. ‘Only you could pick a gardener like that, Hope Adams!’
Jess began to enlighten her friend about the events at the Police Station. ‘No wonder there was no bloody passion in our relationship, Hope. He didn’t just have that one indiscretion. The bastard has been shagging around for years. Good old quiet Sam, I really can’t believe it. But I saw it today, the evidence right in front of my bloody eyes. Hundreds of thank-you cards from women sucked in by his charm.’
Jess took a large gulp of her drink. ‘How could I have been so stupid, Hope?’
‘What a complete bastard,’ Hope stressed and continued, her voice softening.
‘Jess, I have something to tell you and I really don’t want you to be cross that I’ve kept it from you.’
‘Hope, nothing will ever shock me again, what it is?’
‘I bumped into Cherry at the funeral.’
‘You what?’
‘You know I arrived late, well she was outside the gates crying. Anyway she spat out that she hadn’t been the only one, and Sam was renowned for having affairs.’
Jess sat back and closed her eyes, Hope continued.
‘I hope you’re not cross at me for not telling you, Jess, but I think sometimes there are some things that are better left unsaid. I knew you were hurting anyway and I just didn’t see the point in making you feel worse.’
Jess waved her hand in the air. ‘Hope, I’m not cross with you, don’t be silly. I know now anyway don’t I? I am bloody furious with him! Not to mention the embarrassment of everyone at Lemon knowing what he’s been up to and little old wifey at home has had no fucking idea, for years! I am stunned, Hope. In fact I am so upset that I never thought I’d ever say anything so awful, but I’m glad he’s dead! How dare he? How dare he put me and Freya through this?’
Jess stood up and starting pacing around the garden table. ‘The police said that they think that the fire was probably started as a result of his philandering, and this makes total sense. One of these women must have eventually snapped. They saw him coming back to his beautiful home and family without fulfilling any of his empty promises to them.’
‘Or it could have been one of their husband’s or even brother’s, you just don’t know?’ Hope added.
‘God I didn’t even think of that. Just how many lives did Sam Beresford ruin I wonder? It just is too disgusting to think about. I cannot believe I could misjudge somebody so greatly. Hope, I am never ever going to trust a man again.’
‘Oh, Jess, I’m so sorry.’
‘And it gets worse, in fact the women issue shouldn’t be top of my list, I am also stony broke.’ Jess continued with tears in her eyes. ‘The bastard was not only spunking our money up the wall on all of his whores. He also was evidently gambling our hard earned cash on the internet.’ Jess sat back down. ‘I am dumbfounded, Hope, completely blown away that I could live with a man for so many years and have no clue of this at all. I thought I was an intelligent woman.’
‘Oh, Jessy, you are an intelligent woman. He was just a scheming rat. I really can’t believe it of Sam either though,’ Hope replied amazed.
‘Well they say the quiet ones are always the worst.’ Jess attempted a smile.
‘Shit, Jess, what are you going to do?’
‘Well I can sell his Mercedes as I’m more than happy to trot around in my old GTI. I’ve got a bit of my own money but not enough to live on for more than six months. I’m going to have to get a job.’
‘What about the Cornwall cottage?’
‘I’m assuming that will have to go as well. The situation is dire by the sound of it. I called Jonathan, our solicitor, before I got here, to see exactly where I stood. His hands are tied, until the police release all Sam’s files of course. He said it may take up to two weeks.’
Hope put a supporting arm on her friend’s leg. ‘He must have had a will surely?
Jess shrugged. ‘I guess so. I’ll know when I meet with Jonathan. It will be interesting to see just what he intended to leave, if anything.’
‘You know you can live here for as long as you like, Jess,’ Hope piped up.
‘I’m so grateful for that, Hope, but I actually need to get some independence again. I was going to look at renting a small place in the village if I can, just for six months, and then see where life takes me.’
Hope lowered the parasol and they sat in silence for a while. Jess began to mellow as the whisky took effect. ‘Hope,’ she said quietly. ‘There’s something I haven’t told you either.’
‘Go on,’ Hope urged.
‘I slept with Dan on the night of the funeral.’
‘No way, Jess!’
‘So I’m just as bad as Sam really. My husband is barely cold, both his daughters are asleep next door, and there I am shagging another man: his eldest daughter’s lover!’
‘Oh, Jess, don’t beat yourself up about it, you were both drunk.’
‘That had nothing to do with it, I wanted him, Hope. I wanted to feel close to someone when everything else seemed to be ebbing away in my life.’ Jess drained her glass of Scotch.
‘Anyway,’ Hope tried to pacify her friend. ‘Charlie dumped him the next day anyway, didn’t she? So actually there is no harm done.’
‘I suppose. Dan really loves me now you know. It’s so weird how the tables turn over time isn’t it?’
‘How did you leave it with him?’ Hope asked.
‘I didn’t. We did the deed, both of us woke up with a start at 4 a.m. and he scurried back to Charlie’s room. We didn’t have time to talk.’
‘And how do you feel about him now?’
‘I guess I do love him, but I’m just not in love with him anymore.’ Jess tipped her head back and rested it on the garden chair. ‘I’m knackered. This afternoon has really taken it out of me. If you don’t mind I’m going to go up for a nap.’
‘Of course, darling, you go up,’ Hope said kindly.
Jess headed up to her room and flopped on the bed. Tears filled her eyes and she looked up at the ceiling for what seemed like hours, furiously mulling over how on earth Sam could have got away with all that he had done, for so many years.
Chapter Twenty-six
Freya was back at school. Despite asking every other day if Daddy would ever come home from where the angels were, she had actually dealt with Sam’s death remarkably well. Jess on the other hand wasn’t coping so well. Her emotions were so mixed that sometimes she actually felt like she was going mad. She missed Sam. But the Sam she missed was the person she had fallen in love with, not the person he had become.
She felt deep anger that he had betrayed her so greatly and had in effect got away with it . She wished nothing more than for him to walk through the door so she could ask him what on earth he had been thinking. She wanted to punish him, shout at him, and beat him with her fists. She would have left him for sure if she had found all this out, and that would have been the biggest punishment of his life. She was right to forgive the one affair thinking that maybe it was half her fault, but countless affairs, that was just inexcusable. And, as to leave her and Freya in financial dire straits, that was even more unbelievable.
She was just about to ring the letting agent in the village when her mobile rang.
‘Jess, it’s me.’
‘Oh hiya, Dan.’
Dan continued. ‘Just phoned to see how you’re coping? I would have called before but thought you would need some time for reflection?’
‘I’m not coping well actually, Dan. It’s not every day you find out your husband is a serial philanderer and one of his ex-lovers or their associates tried to kill you in a fire.’ She tried to joke but her voice was cracking. ‘I don’t want to go into detail now, Dan, but he’s also left me with no money or home. The house wasn’t even insured.’
‘Fuck, Jess, that’s terrible. I am so sorry.’
‘I guess you’re OK about splitting with Charlie?’ Jess was happy to change the subject from her woes.
‘You know I am. I knew it wasn’t right before she did.’ Jess heard him take a breath.
‘Jess?’
‘Yes.’
‘I was wondering if we could meet. I really want to see you?’
‘Oh, Dan, I’ve got so much going on at the moment.’ Dan went silent and Jess gave in. Maybe a bit of light relief was just what she needed. ‘When were you thinking?’
‘This weekend actually. Alex is going on holiday with Evie, so I’m free as a bird. Is that OK with you?’
Jess went on. ‘Perfect actually. Freya is going to stay with Emma and Mark for the weekend. They thought I could do with a break.’
‘Are you still staying with Hope?’
‘Yes I am, until I sort out renting a place.’
‘OK, pack a bag and don’t forget your passport. I will pick you up at ten. Jessica Morley, I am taking you away!’
‘But.’
‘No buts, just be ready.’ Dan hung up.
Chapter Twenty-seven
At exactly 10 a.m., Jess heard the crunch of tyres on Hope’s drive. She looked out of her bedroom window and saw Dan’s brand new Golf GTI. She checked herself in the mirror. Her dark jeans and a crisp fitted white shirt accentuated her figure. She was glad that despite the entire trauma she had been through she still looked passable, albeit a little tired. Dan greeted her at the front door.
‘Hey, Jess, you look lovely.’
‘Thank you. Now just where are you taking me, baby boy?’
They smiled at each other and Dan felt like he had been whisked back ten years. ‘It’s a surprise, so please don’t ask me again.’
Jess settled back in the comfy leather seats of Dan’s new car. She thought back to the time he had picked her up in his old boneshaker all those years ago and laughed to herself. The banging rant of Eminem had been replaced by Classic FM, and there wasn’t even a sniff of marijuana. They drove through the Berkshire countryside until they hit the M4 and headed London bound. Terminal Two Heathrow Airport was its usual chaotic self, but as usual with Dan by her side she felt completely at ease.
‘I’m so excited,’ Jess enthused and squeezed Dan’s hand as the plane roared into the sky.
Jess loved Prague. She had run an event there before Freya had been born, and was enthralled then by the buzz of the Old Town Square at night and the cobbled streets with their beautiful architecture. They checked into a hotel just off of the Old Town Square, dumped their bags and set out to explore.
‘We have to go to Charles Bridge,’ Jess exclaimed.
‘Whatever you wish, Mrs Robinson,’ Dam smiled.
It was a beautiful sunny day and the Vltava River twinkled in front of them.
Dan took Jess’s hand as they began their stroll across the bridge. She marveled at the impressive statues that lined the route. They mingled among the various stalls that were selling jewelry, pictures, and various keepsakes. After a while Dan broke their silence.
‘Now, did you know?’
‘Probably not, so go on tell me an interesting fact, Mr. Harris. I know there’s one coming.’
They both laughed as Dan continued. ‘Well the bridge’s construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV and it wasn’t finished until the beginning of the 15th Century. It was originally called Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge but has been the Charles Bridge since 1870. There are 30 statues on here in total.’
‘Dan, sometimes you worry me, I really don’t know where you store all of that useless information you come out with.’
They found a bar at the end of the bridge and sat outside taking in the vista.
‘What’s your poison, Ms Morley?’ Dan took Jess’s hand.
‘Well if they do Stella it’s got to be that – don’t you think?’
She smiled broadly. Jess took a sip of beer from her pint mug and for the first time in a long time felt really relaxed. ‘I haven’t got a lot of money for this weekend, Dan.’
‘Shush.’ Dan lifted his hand up to stop Jess saying anymore. ‘I said this weekend was my treat and I won’t have you even mention it again.’
Jess felt like a scolded child, but secretly loved the fact that Dan wanted to look after her. ‘OK, well thank you. I really do appreciate it.’
They finished their beers and Dan leaned across the table and clasped both of her hands in his. ‘Has anyone ever told you, you really are quite beautiful, Jessica Morley?’
‘I’ve lost count.’ She laughed.
Dan got up to go the toilet. Jess studied him as he returned to his seat. He hadn’t really changed that much at all, apart from a slight beer belly and his hair receding. He still had his youthful exuberance but did look his thirty-four years. She had to admit that she still really did fancy him. The sun set over the bridge and Jess felt like she was sitting in the middle of a picture postcard.
‘What a lovely way to spend a Saturday night,’ Jess stated after a while.
‘This is so not it though, Ms Morley. Come on let’s go, I’ve booked us a restaurant for dinner.’
They sat at a table overlooking the river in the exquisite eatery that Dan had chosen. The waiters, smartly dressed in black, tended to their every need as the delectable cuisine was served course by course. Jess finished the last mouthful of her main course.
‘That was to die for. Well done, Mr. Harris, on your choice of venue, I might have to employ you to run some events for me.’
Dan laughed. ‘It’s a pleasure, Ms Morley.’ He then became more serious. ‘Look if you don’t want to talk about anything regarding home then tell m
e, but what exactly are you going to do? – Will you have to start working again?’
‘I will, but in a way I’m quite glad. What with Freya being at school and me now being alone I really could do with something to stimulate my mind. I was actually thinking of putting the writing course I did when we split up to good use.’
‘Cool, well that’s positive. What sort of writing do you think?’
‘Do you know what? I haven’t even thought about it, but maybe initially I will just send some topical articles off to various magazines and see if any of them are interested. I’m not really sure how it works. I need to research it and see what sort of living I could make.’
‘Maybe you should write a novel?’ Dan questioned. ‘I can see it now: Jessica Ann Morley, international novelist!’
Jess laughed. ‘I hadn’t even thought of that. Maybe I should do an autobiography. The world and God’s dog all seem to be writing about themselves at the moment.’
‘Good idea,’ Dan replied.
Jess continued. ‘I’ve got quite an interesting life story if you think about it. Older woman meets toy boy, he breaks her heart, she meets a serial philanderer, her house burns down and the toy boy comes back.’ She paused, laughing.
Dan looked intently at her and said softly, ‘And then the toy boy asks her to marry him.’
‘How funny would that be?’ Jess carried on laughing oblivious to Dan’s intentions. Suddenly boosted by the thought of her future, which after two pints of lager and half a bottle of wine suddenly seemed quite bright, Jess felt jubilant. ‘Let’s go dancing!’ she announced loudly, then leaned over and kissed Dan full on the lips
At midnight they were still only halfway up the queue of Prague’s trendiest club.
Every time a bouncer opened the door to let people in, they heard the dance music belt out into the busy street. Behind them was a rowdy stag party.
‘Hey mate,’ one of the stag party slurred to Dan. ‘Good on ya, bringing your mother.’ The group all sniggered in unison. Dan’s face turned to stone.