‘Well, there’s only one way to find out,’ Johnny sighed. ‘Open it, woman!’
Marianne’s hand shook as she tore open the envelope. There were two A4 pages inside; one was a handwritten letter, the other a typewritten page.
Johnny drummed the table with impatient fingers as she read Dominic’s letter first.
‘Oh my God,’ she breathed.
‘What?’ Johnny searched her face.
‘He was a clever son of a bitch.’ She put a hand to her mouth and swallowed back her tears. ‘It seems he did still care about us, after all.’
‘Oh, Marianne, tell me, for God’s sake.’
She handed him the letter. ‘See for yourself.’
Dear Marianne,
If you’re reading this then I’ve disappeared or I’m dead; either way you’re probably better off.
I’m sorry for everything. I hope you know that I never set out to hurt you in any way. I always thought I would stay in control, I certainly never believed that I would end up being controlled – but then I was always a conceited bastard, wasn’t I?
But I didn’t forget you, the kids or my mother; whatever happened I was determined to protect and support you. I paid off the mortgage and the house has been transferred into your name only; the deeds are with a new solicitor, his card is enclosed. Set up a meeting with him as soon as possible, Marianne, and give him the enclosed document. You may or may not know, but I’ve been involved in a fraud. Reading that back I feel very ashamed but it wasn’t premeditated, Marianne, I was simply stupid. Anyway, my solicitor will talk to Adrian and I hope, as a result of the information I’ve provided, they should be able to recover at least some of the money. My solicitor will explain everything and will look after your interests.
Give Mam a hug, tell her I’m sorry for giving her so much grief. Keep looking after our wonderful kids as well as you always have; tell them I loved them. You must decide how much or how little to tell them about me, Marianne. I know whatever you decide it will be with their best interests in mind.
Love,
Dominic
Johnny set the letter down. ‘Well, that’s a turn up for the books.’ He took off his glasses then sighed when he saw the tears roll down Marianne’s cheeks. ‘Ah, why are you crying, love? This is good news.’
‘I know. I suppose I just feel guilty for being so ready to think the worst of him.’
‘He gave you no reason to think otherwise.’ Johnny’s expression was cold and unforgiving. ‘He deserves no accolades for finally doing the right thing. Now dry those tears, love. What’s on the other page?’
Marianne wiped her eyes and picked it up. ‘Just some company names and addresses and what look like policy numbers.’
‘Excellent!’
‘He says that I’ve to bring a copy of our marriage certificate to the meeting.’
‘Okay, phone the guy first thing and set up an appointment. Adrian Matthews will be serving us champagne instead of tea when he hears this news.’
‘Will you come with me?’ Marianne asked.
‘Are you kidding?’ He rubbed his hands together in glee. ‘I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Do you know you may end up a wealthy woman before we’re through?’
‘Perhaps I won’t have to work, after all,’ Marianne said. The thought made her sad. She’d had a wonderful time taking the class this evening, but the thought of watching Rob and Vanessa building their dream home and then possibly even having to attend his wedding . . .
‘You’d be mad not to work.’ Johnny looked at her as if she’d lost her senses.
‘But the children need me,’ was the only reply she could think of.
‘The children need a healthy, happy and confident role model, not a self-sacrificing mother who turns into a bitter, disappointed old woman.’
‘What a pretty picture you paint, Johnny,’ she said with a wry smile.
‘It’s the truth and you know it.’ He stood up. ‘Get a good night’s sleep, sweetheart; I’ve a feeling tomorrow’s going to be quite a day.’
‘Johnny?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thanks for everything.’
‘Ah, sure, don’t I have to look after my girlfriend?’ He laughed. ‘See you in the morning, love.’
Chapter Thirty-six
First thing the following morning, Marianne called Dominic’s solicitor. After an initially frosty reaction when she asked for an immediate appointment, the receptionist came back just moments later telling her to come in at ten thirty. Adrian Matthews agreed to see her at two when she told him that she had new information. She hoped that meeting wouldn’t take too long; she was taking Jo to see Mandy at five and she really didn’t want to have to cancel – it was a miracle Jo had agreed to see the doctor at all. Straight after that she would be going to take another class. Marianne was also very conscious that the housewarming party was planned for Saturday night and she hadn’t been around to help Dot prepare for it at all.
‘Perhaps we should put it off,’ she suggested when she told her mother-in-law of her busy schedule. Thankfully Dot wasn’t remotely curious about all the meetings she’d been going to with Johnny, accepting that it was a necessary part of sorting out her son’s finances.
‘We will do no such thing; the children are looking forward to it. Anyway, all we have to do is tidy the house and make a few sandwiches. Bridie is bringing a cheesecake, Jo and Di are making buns, and Helen said she’d supply a meringue. As for booze, no one will walk in here without at least one bottle. The party’s going ahead, okay?’
Marianne met Dot’s determined look and saluted. ‘Yes, ma’am!’
Philip Kenny was a thin, smooth character with incredibly cold, expressionless eyes. Marianne took an immediate dislike to him but within minutes could see why Dominic had chosen him for the job. He was razor sharp and, she imagined, ruthless.
After he’d examined the marriage certificate and asked her a couple of personal questions that only Dominic’s spouse would be able to answer, he opened the single file on his desk and took out an envelope. ‘Your husband instructed me not to open and read this except in your presence, so you must bear with me.’
As the man read, Marianne glanced nervously at Johnny who rolled his eyes.
Kenny took his time, re-reading parts and, after what seemed like an eternity, set down the letter and looked across at her. ‘It seems your husband was involved in a fraud.’
‘Yes, I know that. His employer discovered it after his death.’
‘Have they got to the bottom of it yet?’
She shook her head. ‘They believe they know who was ultimately behind it but they have no proof.’
‘They do now,’ Kenny assured her. ‘Is Barbara West their suspect?’
‘Yes!’ Marianne sat forward. ‘So they’re right?’
‘It would seem so. Your husband has left a very detailed and damning statement and, more importantly, account numbers where various monies have been deposited.’
‘That’s great news,’ Johnny smiled and squeezed Marianne’s hand.
‘How has your relationship been with them?’ Kenny asked.
‘Excellent. Marianne has co-operated fully; they wouldn’t have progressed this far with their investigation without her help.’
Kenny ignored the comment and addressed Marianne. He hadn’t wanted Johnny at the meeting but Marianne had insisted. ‘Speed is imperative now. I suggest you phone this man,’ he glanced down, ‘Matthews, and arrange for us to go straight over there.’
‘Us?’
‘Yes, from now on I will be attending any meetings you have with your husband’s employer.’
Marianne looked slightly alarmed. ‘I’m not sure I can afford—’
‘My fees have been taken care of.’
‘Oh, I see,’ Marianne said, although she didn’t really. Dominic must have paid the man up front or perhaps one of the account numbers was to cover the solicitor’s bill. She looked over at Johnny for his reaction
but he just shrugged and smiled. ‘I’ve arranged a meeting for two o’clock.’
‘I’d prefer to do it now; I’m playing golf this afternoon and I have a feeling that Mr Matthews will be happy to accommodate us. Now, will you phone him or shall I?’
The rest of the day went by in a whirl and when Marianne finally sank down on to Helen’s comfortable sofa to enjoy a glass of wine, she felt exhausted. Jo had said little about her session with Mandy but when she emerged from the doctor’s office she gave Marianne a tight hug that spoke volumes. Tonight she seemed very relaxed and sat next to Helen as Johnny told them of their meetings with Kenny and Matthews in a typically theatrical and entertaining fashion.
‘And there you have it,’ he said in conclusion. ‘Barbara West is not pregnant, she is definitely still in the country and it’s only a matter of time before she’s brought to justice.’
Helen frowned. ‘But won’t that mean the whole business will be in the papers?’
‘That seems to be where Rottweiler Kenny comes in. He and Dominic seem to have gone to great lengths to prevent that, but only time will tell.’
‘If it comes out, it comes out,’ Marianne said with a resigned shrug.
Johnny raised his eyebrows. ‘That’s a remarkably laid-back reaction from you.’
‘I was just thinking the same thing,’ Helen said. ‘You’ve gone to such lengths all along to protect Dot and the children.’
‘And I’m glad I did, but its different now. Dot would have been so ashamed and devastated before but now she would take great comfort from the fact that, in the end, Dominic did the right thing. I think I should tell her everything. As for the children, perhaps it would be no bad thing for them to know first-hand how drugs can ruin a life.’
‘Whoa, slow down, girl, don’t rush into anything.’
‘Helen’s right,’ Johnny said. ‘It could be months, even years, before anything comes to light; there is no need to make such enormous decisions right now.’
‘Yes, of course, that’s true,’ Marianne agreed.
‘How is the job going?’ Jo asked.
‘It’s only day two but I have to say, I love it. I went in there this evening hardly able to think straight but within minutes I was completely engrossed.’
‘I’m glad everything is finally working out for you,’ Jo said. ‘It’s wonderful that you own the house outright; that must be such a relief.’
‘It is,’ Marianne said with feeling and yawned. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’
Johnny laughed. ‘Come on, I’ll drop you home.’
‘Don’t be silly, you can drop me to the train station along with Jo.’
‘If you need anything done on Saturday just call,’ Helen said, hugging her friend.
‘Thanks.’
‘You’ll sleep well tonight, I think.’ Johnny smiled as they walked out to the car.
‘Yes,’ Marianne lied. The thought of seeing Rob tomorrow evening already had her stomach in a knot; she’d be lucky if she slept at all.
Jo crept into the house, slipped off her shoes so she wouldn’t wake anyone, and went into the kitchen for some water. She pulled up short when she saw Greg sitting at the table drinking a beer. ‘Oh, hi, I thought you’d be asleep.’
‘You mean you hoped I would be.’
‘What does that mean?’ she said, fetching a glass and going to the tap.
‘You’re hardly here these days. When you’re not with Helen or Marianne or going to a class, you’re out walking with the girls; anything, basically, to avoid me.’ He drained his can and crushed it.
She looked at him in astonishment. ‘I’m just trying to get my weight under control; I thought you’d be happy.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with your weight,’ he said in frustration. ‘Why are you always going on about it?’
‘But you don’t like me fat.’
‘When have I ever said that? In fact, when have I ever said that you’re fat?’
‘Well . . .’ Jo faltered, at a loss to come up with an example. ‘You don’t have to say anything; I can see it in your eyes.’
‘What can you see?’ he demanded.
She couldn’t look at him. ‘Disappointment.’
He sat back in his chair with a sigh. ‘You’re right, I am disappointed.’
She looked up, hurt and surprised by his bluntness, but then she saw the despondent look on his face.
‘Disappointed that I can’t afford to give you the life that Johnny gives Helen or Dominic gave Marianne. Disappointed that despite working my arse off at a job I hate, it’s still a struggle. Disappointed that I have a lovely family but instead of enjoying them I snap at them; instead of doing things with them, I spend my time looking for ways of earning more money or schmoozing up to the likes of Tracy Donovan’s dad at the golf club hoping to get more business. Did you know that the reason that little bitch has got so chummy is because Rachel has been doing some of her maths homework for her?’
‘No! How did you find that out?’
‘When I was taking Rachel to school this morning, she dropped her bag and Tracy’s copy book fell out.’
‘What did you do?’ Jo asked, half-afraid to ask.
‘Nothing. I could see immediately from her expression that there was something going on, so I pretended not to notice. I thought it would be better if we both sat down and talked to her over the weekend.’
Jo looked at him, surprised that he’d shown such sensitivity. ‘The poor kid; she was buying friendship.’
‘I suppose we all do that at one time or another,’ Greg said, looking tired and fed up.
Jo sank into the chair beside him. ‘I didn’t know you hated your job.’
‘Detest it. I hate fucking golf too.’ He raised his eyebrows when Jo giggled. ‘Are you laughing at my misery?’
‘No, love, I’m laughing because that was funny. I’m sorry you’re miserable. I always thought you were doing exactly what you wanted and knew exactly where you were going.’
‘Well, if I’m honest I suppose that’s what I wanted you to think. You were so insecure when we met, Jo; such a frightened little thing. I wanted to make you feel safe.’
‘Oh, Greg; you’re a good man.’
‘You don’t really believe that; you think I’m a grumpy bastard and as for Di, I’m just a waste of space, an embarrassment.’
‘She’s a teenager who thinks she knows it all; hating us is her job.’ She smiled at him.
‘You were supposed to say I’m not a grumpy bastard,’ he grumbled.
‘You have your moments,’ Jo smiled. ‘Oh, Greg, Why haven’t we talked like this before?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose neither of us were exactly brought up to share. My mother always told me to “be a man”, which basically meant put up and shut up.’
‘Then let’s make a deal that we’ll talk more, okay?’
‘Okay.’
‘As for not being able to give me things, I have everything I want and need, and don’t ever compare yourself to Dominic; he gave Marianne a terrible life.’
Greg’s eyes narrowed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s too long a story to go into tonight, but he was seriously messed up and he was far from a good husband.’
‘Wow. Please tell me Johnny Sheridan’s an asshole too.’
‘No, sorry,’ Jo laughed. ‘He’s a good guy, but like everyone else he has his problems.’
‘Why have you been going out so much lately,’ Greg said, ‘if it’s not to get away from me?’
‘I told you, I’m trying to get my diet under control.’
‘And I told you that you’re not fat.’
‘I know, and you’ve no idea how good it is to hear you say that. I thought that if I didn’t get back in shape, you might leave me.’
‘What? That’s ridiculous.’
Jo could have cried in relief at the look of total disbelief on his face. ‘I’ve been very stupid, Greg. Trust me, you may well want rid of me when I tell you ever
ything.’
He took her hand. ‘Look, Jo, I may not be the sort of husband who brings home flowers or takes you out for slap-up dinners, but I love you and I doubt there’s anything you could do or say that would change the way I feel about you.’
‘Do you really love me, Greg?’ she asked, looking at him intently.
‘Bloody stupid question, ’course I do.’ His expression softened. ‘Now just tell me.’
Chapter Thirty-seven
Marianne had applied some make-up in an unsuccessful effort to disguise the dark circles under her eyes as a result of the sleepless night. But even though she was tired, it had been a nice day. She had helped Dot clean the house that morning while the children played on the green and then she’d taken the two of them to Portmarnock with their newly purchased nets to mess about in the rock pools. Afterwards, as they sat on a wall licking ice-cream cones, she asked them if they missed Howth.
‘Only the trampoline,’ Andrew said, ‘and I’ll get to play on that next week.’
‘We’ll have to see about that; they may have other plans,’ Marianne warned him.
‘No, Rob said he’d arrange it and he will,’ Kate said confidently. ‘He’s our friend.’
‘Wish he was mine,’ Marianne muttered now as she parked in front of her house – her house! It was such a relief to know that she actually owned something. Even if she never got a pension, with no mortgage to pay, the proceeds from the sale of her paintings and a regular salary, the future seemed so much more secure. She was glad that finally Dominic had done something that showed he still cared about his family. She would heed Helen and Johnny’s advice and not tell Dot just yet but it was good to know that if the time came, she could assure her that Dominic had done the honourable thing in the end.
She checked her reflection and groaned at the washed-out face that looked back at her. An image of the pretty, vibrant Vanessa came to mind but she dismissed it, reminding herself that she wasn’t in competition with Rob’s fiancée. She popped an antacid, stepped out of the car and went to the boot to collect her bag and business folder. As she walked up the path she prayed that her voice would be steadier than her nerves and she didn’t make a complete eejit of herself.
Every Time We Say Goodbye Page 31
