Perfect Wives

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘Sniff loves other dogs coming to see her, so bring Howie in when you’re having dinner and they can eat together,’ Mrs Clear encouraged.

  Although the couple of days away didn’t feature fluffy bathrobes or pampering sessions, Francine felt more rejuvenated and relaxed with each passing moment of their break. ‘Thanks for arranging this, Carl,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to make sure you don’t take any more time off work or you’ll find yourself joining the growing unemployment queues.’

  ‘I’ve been at the office day in day out over the last twelve years, barely missing an hour even when the babies were born,’ Carl said. ‘I know my partners don’t begrudge me the time off and they’ve even said I should do it more often, within reason.’

  The dull, thudding headache that Francine had been lugging around had shifted, as had the awful tight sensation in her chest. The change of scene had made her ready to take on whatever life threw at them next.

  Back at Bakers Valley school, Saul arrived in style aboard Sebastian’s vintage car, feeling like the king of the castle. Children and mothers waved and called to him as they chugged into the car park.

  ‘I bet Mr Matthews didn’t think I’d arrive in this!’ he shouted to Sebastian.

  ‘I’d say you can guarantee he won’t have seen such a thing too often,’ he said, grinning. Hopping down and lifting the small boy to the ground, Sebastian grabbed his hand and strode towards the kindergarten room.

  Even though several years had passed, the smell of books and children brought to him a flood of buried memories.

  ‘Good morning, Saul. I see you’ve brought a new friend today.’ Mr Matthews grinned.

  ‘Sebastian brought me here in his old noisy!’ Saul squeaked. ‘I’m sure he’d take you for a ride if you like.’

  ‘Do you do taxi services from the local on a Saturday night?’ Mr Matthews said.

  ‘Not yet, but that could be a good idea.’ Sebastian smiled. ‘See you later, Saul. Have a good time and I’ll be here to pick you up.’

  ‘Bye, Sebastian. Take care in the old car,’ Saul said, wagging a finger at him. ‘We mind each other,’ he explained to Mr Matthews. ‘Isn’t that right, Sebastian?’

  ‘Sure is. See you later.’

  Either he chose not to notice or he was too caught up in bittersweet memories to see, but Jane, Andrea and most of the female population of the car park were either stubbing their toes or walking into door jambs as the gorgeous stranger strode by.

  ‘He’s divine,’ Jane said in awe.

  ‘He brought Jodi Ludlum’s little fella in just now,’ Jackie said, rushing to fill them in.

  ‘But that’s not Darius,’ Jane pointed out.

  ‘Well, no shit, Sherlock,’ Andrea said, as her jaw dropped even further. ‘Is he driving out of here in that vintage Rolls?’

  ‘Looks like it,’ Jackie said. ‘Where’s Francine? She’d know what’s going on.’

  ‘I haven’t seen her for a few days, now that you mention it,’ Jane mused.

  ‘I know who he is,’ Sarah interjected. ‘That’s Sebastian, Diane Corr’s husband. I haven’t seen him for a few years but his son Blake was in my daughter’s class,’ she said.

  ‘He’s Jodi’s neighbour. God, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he?’

  ‘Yeah.’ The others sighed as they watched him rumble out of the gate in the Rolls.

  Meanwhile Jodi was taking her seat at a floodlit table where she was being blinded by flash bulbs. With no script or anyone else beside her, she waved her hand to command silence.

  She was stunned by how many press people had turned up. Mac was nowhere to be seen, but then again, she mused, he didn’t know she was doing this.

  ‘It’s been brought to my attention that an ex-boyfriend of mine has attempted to sell a story for a substantial sum to the World News,’ she began. ‘I don’t like blackmail. Neither do I think large amounts of cash should be handed out to low-life scumbags who reckon they can make a quick buck. In the current economic climate I felt strongly that a donation of a hundred thousand pounds to the underprivileged children’s Santa appeal would be preferable.’ There was a wave of muttering as the press jostled for a good view.

  ‘So I have agreed to tell you the story today.’

  ‘How do we know you’ll tell us the truth?’ a journalist shouted.

  ‘Because what I’m about to say is so personal and so painful that I would be one sick puppy to make it up,’ Jodi answered calmly.

  More mumbling ensued as flash bulbs continued to go off.

  ‘Eight years ago, just after I finished shooting a movie called Into the Sunset with that director … Oh, what was his name?’ Jodi tapped the table, playing with the crowd. ‘That’s it! Reggie Wilson.’

  The journalists laughed.

  ‘I had everything going for me and I felt like I was living the dream. On the night of the première, here in London, my acting skills were the only thing that got me through the post-viewing party.’

  ‘What happened to you, Jodi?’ a well-known journalist yelled. Everyone leaned forward.

  ‘At the time I knew I was sixteen weeks pregnant with my boyfriend Mac’s child. The anoraks among you will recall that I wore a billowing ball gown that evening.’

  Indeed, Jodi had made the cover of every glossy that month in the distinctive Vivienne Westwood dress.

  ‘There was a photo shoot with the leading actors, myself included, holding glasses of champagne.’ Jodi took a deep breath. ‘I don’t drink alcohol, never have. My mother was an alcoholic and died of a drug overdose when I was a child. So that champagne, to toast the film’s success, was purely for photographic purposes.’ She sat up straight in the chair and willed herself to finish her story. ‘As I attempted to leave via a back entrance to the venue the heel of my shoe caught in my dress. I tumbled down the steps, landing heavily on my stomach.’

  Gasps filled the room as the women instinctively placed their hands on their bellies.

  ‘I was rushed to hospital but the baby couldn’t be saved.’

  ‘But that was tragic, Jodi. How was Mac blackmailing you?’ a journalist probed from the crowd.

  ‘I was splashed across the cover of every magazine raising a glass without a care in the world. Mac said he’d tell the world that I was my mother’s daughter – a drug addict and a drunk – and that the image you have of me is false.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell people the truth before now?’ a voice behind the flashing cameras asked.

  ‘Because I blamed myself for hurting that baby. I grew up on a street and, indeed, in a world where drink and drugs were rife. No amount of money or fame could convince me that I was a good person.’ Tears began to flow as Jodi drank in the shocked looks she was met with.

  ‘I trusted Mac and thought he loved me. They say the first cut is the deepest and it scarred me.’

  ‘What’s made you speak out now?’

  ‘Darius and Saul are the best things that ever happened to me. I know I’m blessed to have them in my life. But it’s taken my return to my motherland and being integrated with families and other parents for me to realise that I can finally accept myself. I will always mourn my lost child and I will never forget the heartache and guilt that threatened to choke me at that time. But I’ve finished hiding. The story is yours to twist as you wish. You can tell it as I told you or you can embellish it at will.’

  ‘Where is Mac now?’

  ‘Do you still love Mac?’

  ‘Did Darius know all this when you married him?’

  The questions flew at her like bullets. Standing up, she leaned down towards the cluster of microphones and spoke: ‘I’m leaving now. I have nothing further to say. I’m still the same person I’ve always been, except I can now hold my head a little higher. Thank you all for your continued support.’

  As she moved swiftly out of the side door, Noelle ushered her into a waiting car. Jodi crumpled into a ball and buried her face in her lap.

  ‘Well done, sweetheart,’
Noelle said, and hugged her. ‘The worst is over. He can’t damage you now.’

  ‘He’ll probably give all sorts of interviews telling them what it was like to live with me, but good luck to him. I’m going home and I’ve perfect plans to hide away from the staring eyes of the village for the next while. Soon I’ll be someone’s chip-wrapping.’

  Noelle left her, and the driver whisked her to the airport for her return flight.

  As she sat on the plane with an eye mask over her face, forcing herself to breathe evenly, all Jodi could think of was Bakers Valley and the true friends she had waiting for her.

  By the time her driver greeted her in Dublin, a number of paps had gathered at the airport.

  ‘We’ll need to go out the side entrance,’ he said. ‘I’ve heard the story on the radio.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Jodi said gratefully.

  ‘I’m sorry you went through such a trauma and, for what it’s worth, I think the public will be on your side.’ She’d met this man several times since her move to Ireland and he’d always been polite yet quiet.

  ‘Thank you for saying that,’ she said sincerely.

  As soon as she turned her mobile phone back on a message beeped through from Darius. She didn’t want to speak to him before an audience so she texted him.

  Back in Ireland with driver will call u in a while

  Laying her head against the leather seat back, Jodi felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from her chest. For so long she’d lived with the dreadful guilt that she’d killed her baby. She’d allowed Mac to convince her that the world would see her as a similar person to her own mother.

  ‘Of all the things your ma did, she never killed either of you,’ he’d blazed at her, during one of their frequent rows, before she’d finally walked away from him.

  ‘I fell, Mac. It was an accident. Don’t you think I blame myself enough without you adding to the guilt?’

  ‘That was my baby too,’ he said. ‘Just because I’m a man, it doesn’t mean I don’t have any feelings.’

  Hindsight was a great thing, Jodi mused. Now that she’d finally let go of the secret, she felt sorry for the poor, frightened girl Mac had suppressed for so long. What kind of a fool had she been to allow him to make her feel so guilty? She was fairly certain Mac couldn’t really have given a toss about the baby.

  Fair enough, it would’ve been his never-ending tie to her, which would’ve suited him nicely. But she could see so clearly that he’d never loved her the way she’d loved him.

  Mac had known that and had always felt he had power over her. Maybe if she’d been less accommodating and forgiving, he would have behaved better. But either way he’d been genuinely astonished when she’d moved out of their apartment.

  ‘I can’t live with you any more. I love you so much but you’re not good for me, Mac,’ she’d said, devastated.

  Naturally he’d seen it all as a well-deserved kick in the nuts. But he’d assumed she’d be back once she’d calmed down and had a chance to get herself together.

  The first shock had come when the bank had written to him saying he’d have to either take over the mortgage payments or leave. That the ‘owner’ had given him a month to make up his mind.

  ‘Jodi, what the hell?’ he’d asked, over the phone. ‘Baby, this is silly. We both know we needed a bit of time apart, but come home now. I love you and I can’t live without you. We belong together.’

  ‘I can’t, Mac. I want to believe you but you keep letting me down. Noelle says—’

  ‘Ah, you don’t want to listen to that old bag,’ Mac interrupted. He and Noelle had never seen eye to eye.

  ‘I do listen to her. She’s my agent but she’s also my friend. I trust her and she has rightly pointed out that you do not have my best interests at heart.’

  ‘Baby. Nobody knows you like I do. We’re from the same country, we understand each other. Don’t let bitter old bags like Noelle turn our love sour.’

  Jodi had hung up. Racked with sobs, she’d felt as if her heart was being ripped from her chest. She could see where Noelle was coming from and suspected she was probably right, but she loved Mac. She knew she shouldn’t but she did.

  If there was one thing Mac excelled in it was perseverance. He called Jodi constantly. He sent her cards with sweet nothings scribbled across them. He had flowers delivered to the set. He turned up as she was finishing a long day, threw his jacket around her shoulders and accompanied her home. ‘I’m not even coming in. I just needed to see you and know you’re all right.’

  The first time she’d let him back into her life after the baby, he’d totally fooled her into believing he’d changed. She’d agreed to meet him for dinner and he wasn’t his usual cocky self. ‘I got myself a job. It doesn’t pay much but I’m a props assistant on the gangster movie they’re shooting down near the Docklands,’ he’d said, looking at the floor.

  ‘That’s great, Mac,’ she said.

  ‘I feel like I’m finally taking responsibility. The drugs are finished with. I’m not dealing, even to friends, and I want out of that scene,’ he said, fiddling with his napkin. ‘I want us to be together again. That’s all that matters, Jodi, you and me. I know I don’t earn much but I’m trying …’

  ‘It’s not about money, Mac,’ she said, with tears in her eyes. ‘Fair enough, when you grow up in a house where there’s nothing, cash is vital. But I’m so lucky that I don’t have to worry about that any longer. All I want is to be loved.’

  ‘And I do love you, baby. You know I do. I’ve been an idiot and all I’m asking is that you give me another chance. I miss you and I need you in my life.’

  Jodi had known Noelle would probably flip, but she honestly believed Mac was sorry. Underneath the confident party-boy exterior he was the most loving person she’d ever met.

  It had taken him about a month to show his true colours once more. Jodi had returned at three in the morning from shooting to find him hosting a wild party in their apartment.

  ‘Baby! You’re here. Here she is, the star of the moment! Jodi, come and meet my friends,’ he had slurred. She was engulfed in hugs from pissed and high strangers. Pulling the plug on the extortionately expensive Bang & Olufsen sound system, which Mac had ordered, she’d walked calmly to the door, held it open and waited. ‘All of you leave, please. This is not my scene, and as it’s my home, I would like you all to go. Thank you.’

  She’d known everyone thought she was a boring stuck-up cow who wouldn’t know how to have a good time if it bit her on the arse. But she didn’t care.

  ‘Don’t think much of her, Mac. You’d think with all her fame she’d’ve learned how to enjoy herself,’ one of the girls had said, as she winked at Mac. ‘Call me again, won’t you?’

  ‘Cheers, see you all soon!’ Mac had closed the door quickly. ‘Baby, what’s happening?’ He’d tried to wrap himself around her as she’d made her way to their bedroom. ‘I’m all fired up now and as you’ve sent the party away you’ll have to help me out.’

  ‘You’re drunk and off your face on God knows what. Keep away from me, Mac.’

  She’d slammed the bedroom door, removed her clothes and got into bed – alone.

  Mac’s absences had increased, as had his rolling home at all hours and fumbling around the place drunk. His job seemed to have fallen by the wayside.

  Jodi happened to be shooting on location close to their apartment at the time, so he’d decided to drop in and have a coffee with her between takes. ‘Wow, you look amazing. Tell Wardrobe you’re bringing those tight trousers home tonight,’ he schmoozed. ‘Listen, I’ve been thinking, why don’t I work for you full time? It would make sense. I’ll be your manager. That way we’ll get to see each other more and I can keep an eye on what’s happening.’

  ‘I don’t need anyone, thanks, Mac. Noelle is great and the PR team she’s been using lately are so professional that I’m getting great coverage. I’ve just been asked to do a shoot for L’Oréal’s spring-summer makeup range.’ />
  ‘I know, and you’re amazing, I get that. But I think there’s so much more potential for your brand.’

  ‘I’m not a brand, I’m a person, and I’ve enough going on, Mac.’

  ‘Sure it was only a thought. I’ll take one of the job offers I have on the table then. The more interesting one doesn’t start for another couple of months, though.’ He looked at her to gauge her reaction.

  ‘Then pick something else,’ she said, and raised an eyebrow.

  ‘I will. Listen, that awards thingy tomorrow night …’ He raked his fingers through his hair.

  ‘It’s the BAFTAs, sweetie.’ She grinned.

  ‘Yeah. I was down in Harrods and it seems most of the men are wearing custom-made suits and are really pushing the boat out. That tuxedo I have is a bit passé – could you stand me a new one?’ Mac had had the right amount of humility and embarrassment on his face to convince her.

  ‘Sure. Use the credit card. Besides, my dress has been sponsored by Dior. I’m getting an amazing necklace, too, from Tiffany’s. I can’t wait,’ she’d said. ‘I’ll be like Cinderella going to the ball. You won’t go out anywhere tomorrow, will you? I need you to be there with me.’

  ‘I’ll be there to hold your hand, don’t you worry.’

  ‘Miss Jodi, when you’re ready!’ Reggie boomed across.

  ‘Hey, Reggie, how’s it going?’ Mac shouted.

  Reggie turned away and walked back to the main camera man.

  ‘God, he’s a tricky bastard, isn’t he?’ Mac whispered to Jodi.

  Giggling, she had kissed him, then gone straight to Makeup.

  The following day, by the time she’d had her hair, makeup and dress fitting, Jodi knew she wouldn’t have time to get back to the apartment. She’d phoned Mac four times and he hadn’t answered.

  As she sat in her limo on the way to the red carpet she tried his phone again. A text came through just as they pulled to a halt.

  I’m here looking out 4 u x x

  Screams and waving fans had surrounded her as she stepped out of the car. She had posed briefly for the photographers and, as was customary for her, had spent a good twenty minutes signing autographs and talking to the fans, who had turned out in droves to see her.