Mirror, Mirror

by Patricia Scanlan

  ‘I’m merely doing what you do, Chris. I’m just doing what all bastards do. They use women as playthings, to entertain and satisfy them, and then they discard them and move on to some other poor unfortunate. It’s called sauce for the gander.’

  ‘You’re a real ball-breaker, Johnston, you know that,’ he said disgustedly.

  ‘I am what I am. You are what you are. We know each other, we don’t have to pretend a niceness that isn’t there. That’s one good thing about you and me.’

  ‘Do you want to end this?’ Chris barked.

  Alexandra shrugged. ‘I’m easy either way.’

  ‘You don’t do much for a man’s ego, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Listen, darling, I’ve enough to do looking after my own ego without looking after yours. I’m not into a real heavy scene with you. That stuff about me taking you away from your kids is crap. I’m not taking the blame for that.’

  ‘Suzy didn’t mean that. She’ll cool down.’ Chris sat on the side of the bath beside his mistress and put his head in his hands. He’d a thumping headache.

  ‘Don’t be so stupid, Chris. Suzy’ll never take you back. If you think she will, you’re a fool. It’s finished. She’ll never forgive you and she’ll certainly never forgive me. For someone who’s had so many women, you know fuck all about them.’

  ‘Look, Alexandra, I pay the bills. That’s my house she’s living in. They’re my kids and if she doesn’t like that, she can walk. I’ll get someone in to mind them. In fact I think that’s the best idea all round. I’m fed up of women grinding me into the ground. Let Suzy stand on her own two feet if she wants to.’

  ‘Well, just keep me out of it. It’s nothing to do with me,’ Alexandra scowled.

  ‘I can’t go home tonight. I’ll have to stay here. She’s left my cases outside. And I can’t go in to work tomorrow either. Look at the state of my face!’

  ‘Your face! Look at mine. The vicious bitch. I won’t be able to go to work for a week.’ Alexandra glowered at him. Her nose started bleeding again. ‘I think you better bring me to hospital. That cow’s broken my nose. If I have a lump on it, I swear I’ll have her arrested for assault.’

  ‘You can’t do that! You can’t do that,’ Chris said hastily. Visions of a court case and all the juicy details splashed over the papers were enough to give him palpitations. That’s all he needed. A society scandal. He’d be ruined. He’d be a laughing stock. And his mother would disinherit him.

  Chris felt his blood run cold. This thing was taking on a life of its own. Suddenly he felt hugely oppressed. He looked at Alexandra, pale and bloodied. He’d better handle her with kid gloves or there could be trouble. ‘OK, love. I’ll bring you to hospital. We’ll say we were in a car crash or something. We don’t have to tell them all the gory details. You get dressed. Don’t worry about a thing. You’ll be fine,’ he said reassuringly. A casualty unit was the last place he wanted to go but if it would shut Alexandra up he’d put up with it. Besides, he might need stitches over his eye. It was a deep gash. He could murder Suzy for the havoc she’d caused. She’d better cop herself on, he thought furiously. Or else she’d be very much the loser.

  Chapter Six

  Suzy opened one eye, tentatively, and groaned. Little hammers beat a tattoo behind her eyeballs. Her mouth was dry. A wave of nausea overwhelmed her. She closed her eye again, hastily.

  ‘Mummy, my bottom keeps pirping. I need to do a pooh.’ Adam poked her impatiently.

  ‘Mummy, I’m hungry. Can I have my cornflakes? Mummy, where’s Daddy?’ Christina climbed up onto the bed.

  Where was Chris? Suzy thought groggily. Realisation struck. Dread engulfed her. Chris was with Alexandra. He’d betrayed her with her best friend. Her marriage was over. She was on her own with two children. Her insides turned to liquid. Her heart began to race. Last night she’d drunk a half-bottle of gin.

  Fuck them! she thought grimly. She wasn’t going to let them turn her into a lush. She was going to get on with her life and she was going to make their lives a misery. That thought and that thought alone got Suzy through the day. She dragged herself out of bed, took care of her children’s needs and arranged for a locksmith to change the locks on the doors immediately.

  Chris would never set foot in his house again. He’d made his choice. He could go and live with that two-faced tart who’d called herself a friend. Alexandra could wash his smelly socks and cacky underpants. That would soon take the romance out of their seedy little affair. He’d come crawling back sometime. He’d never last being stuck with Alexandra day after day, week after week. Oh no! Suzy lit yet another cigarette and inhaled deeply. The chase and the challenge and the intrigue and uncertainty were fuel to Chris’s fire. When it all turned mundane and normal and unexciting, he’d get bored. Any hint that Alexandra expected a commitment and Chris would be gone like a shot. Suzy knew that much about her husband.

  That afternoon, while she was lying on the sofa, drained and hungover, watching the twins playing in front of the fire, the phone rang. She tensed, expecting it to be Chris. It was his mother.

  ‘Suzy,’ Katherine Wallace said in that clipped snooty accent that always grated on Suzy’s nerves. ‘I phoned Christopher at his office and his secretary told me he was out sick. What’s the matter?’

  Suzy took a deep breath. This was where revenge started.

  ‘You want to know what’s the matter, Mrs Wallace? I suggest you call Chris at his mistress’s flat and ask him. It’s Alexandra Johnston. She was my best friend once. Her number’s in the book and that’s where you’ll find him from now on. Our marriage is over. I never want to see him again.’

  ‘I beg your pardon!’ Katherine was aghast. ‘What do you mean your marriage is over? What about the children?’

  ‘Oh, Chris doesn’t give a hoot about the twins, Mrs Wallace. But then that’s not surprising, given his track record.’

  ‘What on earth do you mean by that, Suzy? I don’t understand any of this,’ Katherine retorted sharply.

  ‘Well actually,’ Suzy said coldly and with great satisfaction, ‘I’m talking about your other grandchild out in Glenree. Stephanie Munroe. She’s nearly seven now and, as far as I know, Chris has never contributed a penny to her upkeep. That’s the only one I know about. God knows how many other grandchildren you have, Mrs Wallace. Chris was playing the field long before I knew him. He still is. Fidelity is not his strong point,’ she added, really putting the boot in. ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Wallace.’

  Suzy hung up briskly. Her mother-in-law’s horrified gasp at that piece of information was music to her ears. Katherine Wallace had no idea until now that she had another grandchild and an illegitimate one at that. Now the cat was really among the pigeons. Her mother-in-law disapproved of such behaviour. She was rather strait-laced – a result no doubt of her own husband’s philandering. Although she’d never admitted that Jeffrey Wallace was a womaniser. Like father like son, Suzy thought in disgust. Chris was very much in awe of Katherine. It fascinated Suzy to see how her husband still craved his mother’s good opinion.

  Soignée. Classy. Rich. Katherine Wallace lived life to the full among the crème de la crème of high society. A scandal would be anathema to her. Petite, reed-thin, she looked as if a puff of wind would blow her away, but she was one of the most controlling women Suzy had ever known.

  Maybe Chris treated women badly because he resented his mother’s authority. Or maybe he was just a complete louse. Suzy didn’t care which. She could analyse him until she was blue in the face but it didn’t change the fact that behind the dependable, solid, successful, family-man façade that he projected so convincingly, he was an out-and-out self-centred liar!

  How he could have sunk so low as to have had an affair with Alexandra was beyond her comprehension. Suzy’s brow furrowed. Over and over the unanswered questions danced around her brain. Had he no sense of decency at all? Didn’t he have any feelings for her? Why had he married her? Why? Why? Why? Pigs would fly before she’d ge
t an honest answer from him. Her husband had treated her as though she were his worst enemy. Now he was going to find out that he’d picked the wrong woman to mess with. Mrs Wallace would certainly give Chris a very hard time. Good! It was only the beginning of the misery Suzy was going to inflict on her betrayers. She had a lot more planned for them.

  Katherine Wallace lit a Rothman’s with trembling fingers. She had another grandchild, almost seven at that. And Christopher had walked out on his family to have an affair with that dreadful brash young woman, Alexandra Johnston. It was outrageous. It was . . . it was common. The Wallaces did not behave like that. Even Jeffrey, when he’d been misbehaving, had been discreet, Katherine acknowledged grimly. Her husband’s infidelities were something she rarely permitted herself to think about. It was easier to pretend they didn’t exist. Now, like history repeating itself, Christopher was emulating his weak, dishonest cad of a father. It had always been her greatest fear that her sons would inherit their father’s genes and grow up with bad character defects. Lacking in moral fibre and backbone. Flawed pedigree.

  She’d always denied it to herself when Christopher, her favourite child, showed weaknesses that mirrored his father’s shortcomings. Even as a child, Christopher had never been able to tell the truth, or accept responsibility for any of his misdeeds. He’d always used his charm and ability to amuse to wriggle out of trouble, just like his father.

  That poor young woman in Glenree, what must she have endured giving birth to a child out of wedlock? Katherine shook her head in disbelief as she walked into the lounge. To think that Christopher had turned his back on her and the child. And now he was turning his back on his wife and children for that Johnston hussy. It was unforgivable. Christopher had better realise he had responsibilities. And he couldn’t walk away from them no matter how much he wanted to. He’d always had life too easy. It was time he began to face a few harsh realities, Katherine thought coldly. He was going to end this sordid little fling and go back to his wife and children and he most certainly wasn’t going to disgrace the Wallace name.

  Munroe. The name sounded familiar. Emma, her niece, was married to Vincent Munroe. What was the connection? Did Emma’s mother know anything about this?

  With shaking fingers, Katherine dialled her sister’s number.

  ‘Pamela, did you know that Christopher got a girl into trouble and she had a baby nearly seven years ago?’ she demanded.

  ‘Actually, as a matter of fact I did,’ Pamela Connolly answered calmly.

  ‘Well, why didn’t you tell me, Pamela?’ Katherine was furious.

  ‘Because it wasn’t my place to tell you, Katherine. That was up to Chris.’

  ‘Good God, Pamela! I should have known about this before now.’

  ‘I thoroughly agree,’ Pamela said dryly. ‘How did you find out?’

  Katherine paused. She was reluctant to tell her sister the shocking news she’d just heard from her daughter-in-law. Maybe the marriage could be salvaged. She didn’t want to admit to Pamela that her son’s marriage was on the rocks.

  ‘I just heard,’ she said evasively. ‘Was it a relation of Vincent’s?’

  ‘His sister. Ellen,’ Pamela answered.

  ‘Oh! That must have been awkward for you and Emma . . . I’m sorry.’ Katherine felt most uncomfortable. She was furious with her son for putting her in such an embarrassing position.

  ‘Yes, it was awkward. Very awkward. They’re a nice family and it was a great shock to them. But you don’t have to apologise to me, Katherine. It had nothing to do with you. Christopher got the girl into trouble and ran out on her and that’s the sorry truth that neither you nor I can change.’

  ‘Did that girl ever get married?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘I see. And Christopher didn’t look after them?’

  ‘No, Katherine. I’m sorry to say he behaved very badly towards them. They were left to their own devices. Ellen had to rely on the goodness of her parents.’

  ‘It wasn’t the way he was raised, Pamela,’ Katherine snapped. ‘And if I’d known about it at the time, I’d have seen to it that Christopher attended to his responsibilities.’

  ‘Well, they’ve managed without him all these years and she’s a lovely little child, Emma says, so don’t distress yourself.’

  ‘Just imagine how you’d feel if you found out you’d a grandchild that you didn’t know about. And how you’d feel if you found out that one of your children has behaved despicably.’ Katherine was pale with fury.

  ‘Katherine, he’s a grown man. You did your best for him. It’s not your responsibility.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye bye.’

  Katherine hung up and inhaled deeply on her cigarette. She was disgusted with Christopher. Disgusted! To get a girl into trouble and walk out on her and leave her to accept all the burden, and then to have an affair with his wife’s best friend and walk out on his marriage as if he had no responsibilities whatsoever – it could not be countenanced. His grandmother had often said Christopher was spineless but she had always vigorously denied the charge and defended her son. It looked now as though his grandmother had been right. It wasn’t acceptable behaviour. If he didn’t grow up and start acting like a man, he was out of the will. And she was going to tell him so, just as soon as she could get her hands on him.

  ‘I think I might try going home and see what sort of reception I get.’ Chris stared moodily out the window of Alexandra’s flat. He was like a cat on a hot tin roof. He just couldn’t settle. He hated being out of work but his face was black and blue, his eye swollen to twice its size. He couldn’t let any of his clients see him in that state.

  He was furious with Suzy. How dare she pack all his clothes in suitcases and throw him out of his own house! He’d no intention of moving out to live with Alexandra. She wasn’t exactly falling all over him, begging him to stay either, he thought, miffed.

  The phone rang in the hall. He wondered if it was Suzy. Alexandra got up to answer it. A moment later she stood in the doorway looking somewhat startled. ‘It’s your mother.’

  ‘What!’ Chris was horrified. ‘How does she know I’m here? I’ll break Suzy’s goddamn neck. The bloody-minded little bitch,’ he raged. ‘What does she want?’

  ‘She wants to speak to you. She doesn’t sound too happy,’ Alexandra drawled.

  ‘What did you tell her I was here for?’ Chris growled.

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Chris. The woman obviously knows you’re here. She’s only going to keep calling you until she gets to speak to you. We’re not fourteen-year-olds. We’re adults. Tell her to mind her own business. And tell her not to phone here again,’ Alexandra said coldly.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ Chris muttered. He walked out to the hall and picked up the phone. ‘Yes, Mother,’ he said in his best Don’t-Trifle-with-Me tone.

  It cut no ice with Katherine. ‘I want to talk to you, Christopher. I’ll be at home for the rest of the evening.’

  ‘It’s not really convenient, Mother. I’ll phone you later this week. And Alexandra has asked me to ask you not to phone here again,’ Chris said firmly.

  There was a long pause. Chris felt he’d been admirably resolute.

  His mother’s frosty tone arrowed down the line. ‘You may tell Miss-Fur-Coat-and-No-Knickers that phoning her is the last thing I want to do. It was distasteful enough to do so once. As for you, Christopher, I want to see you this afternoon. Make it convenient.’

  There was a decisive click as Katherine hung up. Chris’s mouth was agape in shock. Miss-Fur-Coat-and-No-Knickers! Where had his mother got such an expression? It was totally uncharacteristic language for Katherine.

  Chris gazed at the phone in impotent fury. Just who the hell did she think she was talking to? A five-year-old? He was a grown man with a successful business, a big house, a big car. A wife, a mistress and two – no – he thought of Stephanie – three children and still his mother could make him feel like a powerless, naughty
little boy awaiting her chastisement.

  Today he was going to tell her where to get off. Today he was going to tell her to butt out of his life. And she needn’t threaten him with ‘The Will’. She could take her will and stuff it up her aristocratic ass. Chris was angrier than he’d ever been in his life. He was sick of all of them. He was sick of hassle. If they didn’t all get off his back he’d . . . he’d emigrate!

  ‘You better do some shopping. I can’t go out like this.’ Alexandra grimaced. She had a black eye, scratches and there was still some puffiness around her nose and cheek. She didn’t look as bad as Chris, but she was determined not to set foot out of the flat until her bruises had faded.

  ‘Look at the state of me!’ Chris exploded.

  ‘Well, if you don’t go shopping, you can starve. For heaven’s sake, Chris, go somewhere you’re not known and stop making such a drama out of it.’

  ‘Shut your bloody mouth, Alexandra! I’m not in the humour for it, OK!’

  They scowled at each other. After almost twenty-four hours of close proximity their tolerance levels were starting to wear thin.

  ‘Make out a list then, I’ll do the shopping after I’ve seen Mother,’ Chris ordered as he marched into the bedroom to get his tie.

  Twenty minutes later, after another row about the list, he sat in his car trying to decide whether to drive home to Suzy or to go see his mother.

  Maybe he’d go and see Katherine while he was still as mad as hell. He’d need his anger if she started laying down the law. This time, for once in his life, he was going to tell her to bugger off. She could stuff her inheritance. It was an awful pity he wasn’t more financially secure, he thought ruefully as he drove towards Foxrock. His inheritance had always been a safety net for him. He didn’t like to think of the possibility that it could be withdrawn. What in the hell had Suzy been thinking about to go blabbing their personal business to his mother? Katherine was so conservative about such matters. Probably because his father had had a few flings that meant nothing. That was the way with men, Chris thought irritably as he drove past RTÉ.