Suzie stared at her. Was that true? She searched her scrambled brain. The fact that she wasn’t shocked or upset suggested she’d heard this before. And she knew, in that moment, she’d confronted John and, though he’d admitted his weakness, he’d regretted it and begged her forgiveness. The realisation gave her strength. She looked at Mandy, her own sister, incredulous at the malicious pleasure she was taking in delivering this blow. There wasn’t a shred of regret, shame or pity in Mandy’s expression. In fact her face was twisted and ugly, her true personality exposed.
‘You’re kidding yourself, Mandy. John didn’t love you. John loved sex and, I assume, got some perverse pleasure in screwing my sister.’
‘Is that what you told Doug? Your knight in shining armour?’ she spat.
‘Doug and I have more interesting things to talk about. John is dead and gone and I don’t talk about his bad habits. His children don’t need to know that he had a thing for cheap tarts.’
Mandy bristled at that.
‘They’re not children any more. Maybe I’ll tell them,’ she taunted.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Suzie warned her, losing all tolerance with this nasty, vindictive woman. ‘Why are you doing this? Aren’t you even remotely sorry for what you’ve done? For the way you’ve treated me?’
‘No, not in the least! He loved me and I loved him. John was going to leave you and marry me.’
‘You’re delusional.’ Suzie laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘Even if he did love you, John loved his children, his good name and his status in the community a lot more. Why do you think he pretended Jess was his child? He loved me and wanted me to be his wife, but he couldn’t bear the stigma of having a cuckoo in his nest.’
‘He’d have left everything and everyone for me,’ Mandy insisted. ‘If it wasn’t for his accident, we’d be together now. I loved him more than you ever did but I had to stand by, the sister-in-law, at his funeral while you got all the sympathy and support.’
Suzie remembered Nora saying how devastated Mandy had been at the funeral. Maybe in her own weird way Mandy really had loved John. She stared helplessly at her deranged sister, her anger subsiding. ‘He’s dead, Mandy. There’s no point in resurrecting any of this now. Do what I do. Remember the good times.’
‘That’s easy for you. You have his name, his children and the status of being his widow. What do I have?’
Tears rolled down Mandy’s face unchecked. Suzie had never seen her so upset. She was almost hysterical.
‘You have your memories. You got the best of him, after all.’
Mandy frowned. ‘How do you make that out?’
‘I did his laundry, fed him when he bothered to come home and entertained his boring colleagues. I put up with his moods, his habits and looked after him when he was ill. But you? You got John the charmer, the romantic. You got to spend time with him in fancy hotels, eating lovely food and indulging in illicit sex. And, be honest, the fact that he was my husband added spice to the relationship, didn’t it?’
Mandy smirked but it soon turned back into a scowl. ‘Weren’t you jealous?’
‘Why, is that what you wanted? Is that what it was really about?’ Suzie countered and she realised that Gina was right. Mandy envied her, envied her life. ‘Did you really love John or did you just want to take him away from me?’
Suzie gasped as another memory surfaced making her grasp the bannister to steady herself. It was how she had found out about John and Mandy. She’d received an anonymous note telling her the hotel, and even the room number, where she could find her cheating husband. Suzie had gone along and sat in a corner of reception, hidden by a plant. Although she was used to his women, Suzie had felt utterly shocked and betrayed when she saw that her sister was his latest conquest.
‘You sent me that note.’ Suzie marvelled at the lengths Mandy had gone to in order to hurt her.
Mandy’s face lit up. ‘Of course I did! John wanted to be with me but he didn’t have the guts to tell you. So I decided to help things along. You were supposed to throw him out, but no’ – Mandy gave a bitter laugh – ‘Saint Suzie did nothing. Such a good little wife, turning the other cheek and carrying on with your sham of a marriage. Now he’s gone, and look at you.’ Suzie shrank from the venom in Mandy’s eyes. ‘Look at you! The life and soul of the party, flirting with everyone and carrying on as if he never existed.’
‘Oh my God,’ Suzie whispered, as it dawned on her what all of this was about. Why Mandy was so bitter and why she’d come back into her life to torment her.
‘What?’ Mandy was eyeing her warily.
‘Nora was remarking how upset you were at the funeral.’
‘Of course I was: I loved him.’
‘No.’ Suzie shook her head. ‘You saw all his family and friends and heard people stand up and talk about him as a husband, a father and a member of the community and you knew that he’d lied. You knew then that he’d taken you for a ride, literally. That he would never have left me.’
‘That’s bullshit, all bullshit,’ Mandy practically screamed and, standing up, went in search of her coat. ‘I wish you’d never woken up,’ she spat as she pulled it on, a wild look in her eyes. ‘You deserve nothing! You were in the way, always in the way. You didn’t even have the decency to die when you should have.’
Suzie was still trying to process the last comment as Mandy headed for the door. ‘Where are you going?’
‘What the hell do you care?’ her sister said, and left, slamming the door behind her.
Feeling stunned and drained by the confrontation, Suzie went in search of the others and found them sipping brandy and liqueurs in Doug’s study. Gina had taken off her shoes and was curled up on the small sofa and, when she saw Suzie, she shifted up and patted the space beside her.
‘Is everything okay?’
Suzie nodded, but in truth, felt dazed and shell-shocked, her mind still struggling to make sense of everything.
Doug met her eyes. ‘Sorry, but that’s been building for a while.’
It took her a moment to react but then she nodded, vaguely, and reached out to squeeze his hand. ‘I know.’
Mal looked at her. ‘What is it, Suzie? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’
‘In a way I have.’ Suzie thought of the memory that had bubbled to the surface as her sister ran from the house. A gym and lots of giggling, her sister encouraging her to try out the equipment. And then a hand on her shoulder pushing her . . .
‘Where is she?’ Gina whispered, looking nervously at the door.
‘Gone.’
Doug’s eyes narrowed. ‘Where?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ Suzie said, ‘but I don’t think she’ll be back.’
‘Going on her behaviour tonight, I’d say you’re well shot of her.’ Gina patted her knee.
Suzie nodded slowly. ‘Yes. I think I am.’
For years she had turned a blind eye to John’s womanising, and then came the ultimate humiliation: his eighteen-month affair with her sister. Eighteen months! And now she knew that Mandy had staged Suzie’s discovery of their affair, in the hotel where she and John had held their wedding reception. What kind of sicko would do something so cruel? Again it struck Suzie that this wasn’t about John or love but Mandy simply wanting her life. The woman needed help. Her behaviour was bordering on psychotic.
‘We were deciding on a venue for our next get-together,’ Jack said gently, bringing her back to the present. ‘Would you come out to our place? We live in Enniskerry but we have plenty of room if you wanted to spend the night.’
‘Yes, sure, that would be fine,’ Suzie said, still distracted.
‘And if you want to bring along a friend,’ Gina said with a wink, ‘that would be fine too. You too, gentlemen.’
Suzie chuckled. ‘There’s only Percy, my dog.’
‘Likewise,’ Malcolm smiled at her, ‘except, no dog.’
‘Old and free and single,’ Doug confirmed.
Gina lau
ghed. ‘Well, I’ll be in touch after I’ve checked the family calendar and we’ll set it up.’
‘Lovely. I’ll look forward to that, Gina.’ She sighed, feeling suddenly exhausted. ‘I’m afraid I need to go home, but it’s been great to see you all.’
‘We’re going in the same direction. We can share a taxi,’ Mal said immediately.
‘You’re not annoyed with me for having a go at Mandy, are you?’ Doug asked when they were out in the hall and he was helping Suzie into her coat.
‘No.’ She hugged him. ‘It needed to come out in the open. But I think that there’s something seriously wrong with Mandy, Doug.’
‘I’ll give you a call tomorrow and we can discuss it then. Go home and get some rest. You’ve had quite an evening.’
‘I’ve had lots of them recently,’ she said with a shaky laugh.
Doug turned to shake Malcolm’s hand. ‘Look after her.’
‘I will, Doug.’
The sound of a horn woke Suzie and she realised she’d fallen asleep on Malcolm’s shoulder. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Mal.’
‘It’s fine, Suzie,’ he said with a warm smile. ‘After hearing about all you’ve been through this year and, on top of that, the carry-on tonight, I’m not surprised you’re tired.’
Suzie was distracted as the taxi turned onto the coast road. ‘You should have got out about five minutes ago,’ she pointed out, but was glad he hadn’t.
‘I wouldn’t let a lady go home in a taxi alone, especially a sleeping one.’ Mal grinned.
‘Thank you. Isn’t it strange?’ Suzie marvelled. ‘We haven’t seen each other in almost twenty-five years, yet I felt as close to you all as if it was yesterday.’
‘Not so strange. We were always close. Can I be honest, Suzie?’
‘Of course.’
He looked into her eyes. ‘I don’t want to wait until the next get-together to see you again. Would you like to go for a drink with me? Just the two of us?’
Suzie smiled at him. ‘I’d like that, Mal. I’d like that very much indeed.’
Chapter Forty-Four
Jess closed the door on the cold and frosty night and hurried up the stairs to her flat, hoping that the heating was working. Sighing contentedly when the warmth hit her as soon as she opened the door, Jess kicked off her boots and padded into the kitchen. She put on the kettle and then went to check her email, smiling when she saw there was one from Katie. It was disappointingly brief but, when Jess read it, she let out a whoop of delight. Katie was coming home tomorrow and wanted to meet up. Jess immediately replied, inviting her to her flat with the promise of pizza and beer and lots of gossip.
It would be great to see her friend again. She had ended up staying in Jersey far longer than expected and Jess had missed her. She made a mug of tea and carried it and her laptop into the bedroom, quickly changing into pyjamas and huddling under her duvet. Rereading the email, Jess smiled. She had talked to Katie on the phone and they’d exchanged texts, but there was nothing like sitting over a coffee or glass of wine for a good gossip. Jess couldn’t wait to see her and catch up on all the news.
Jess had confided only in Cal about her meeting on Friday with a major Sunday newspaper, too nervous of jinxing it by telling anyone else. She could barely sleep for thinking about it. Cal, however, was completely confident that she’d get it, pointing out her excellent experience and the hard-hitting articles she’d written during the summer on important political issues, sending them off to publications that she admired and would like to write for. And now one of them wanted her to come in and discuss a weekly spot. She was beyond excited. Her phone buzzed and she groped round for it and read the message from her sister.
Don’t forget the party on Saturday nite! x
As if she could, Jess smiled. Sharon had been buzzing round like a demented bluebottle, determined to have one last big bash before the baby came along. Keith was worried that she was overdoing it, but the hospital had been really pleased with Sharon’s and the baby’s health on her last couple of visits.
‘Leave her be,’ her mother had advised. ‘She needs something to focus all that energy on.’
Jess responded to the text.
I’ll be there.
She set her phone on the bedside table and plugged in the charger before going into the bathroom to brush her teeth. As she wiped her mouth on a towel, her eyes caught the framed cutting from the Gazette that she’d hung over the loo to remind her of the moment she’d stood up to Louis. Smiling happily, Jess turned out the light and went to bed.
Katie arrived straight from the airport in a cab, breathless and red-cheeked. Jess, who had been watching out for her, ran down the stairs and opened the door.
‘Hey, you!’ She dropped her bags and embraced Jess.
‘You look amazing!’ Jess stepped back to admire Katie’s black business suit, which was softened by a powder-blue blouse. Her blond hair was caught up in a knot, soft tendrils framing her face, and she looked every inch the businesswoman.
‘I’m not dressed for this weather,’ Katie laughed. ‘It’s bloody arctic out.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me you needed a lift?’
‘Mum was supposed to collect me but she’s terrified of driving on icy roads, and apparently it’s much worse in Meath, so I just hopped in a taxi.’
‘Well, you’re here now. Come in and get warm. I’ll make you a cuppa.’
‘Coffee, please.’ Katie followed her upstairs and made a beeline for the radiator. ‘So how’s Cal?’
Jess turned and smiled. ‘He’s wonderful.’
‘I’m glad it’s working out for you two. I knew from the moment I set eyes on him that he was one of the good guys.’
Jess made the coffee and handed one mug to Katie. ‘So, home to relax for a while before re-joining the workforce?’
Katie’s eyes twinkled. ‘No rest. I start my new job next Monday.’
Jess stared at her. ‘What? No way! When did all this happen?’
‘I applied for a position in this huge accountancy firm and they called me for a second interview in their head office in London last week and rang the next day to offer me the job!’
‘It’s in London?’ Jess said, disappointed but impressed at the same time when Katie told her the name of the company.
Katie shook her head. ‘No, of course not. I told you I wanted to stay in Dublin. I’ll be working in their offices here, smack bang in the city centre.’
Jess hugged her. ‘That’s brilliant news, well done.’
‘How about you? How’s life as a freelance journalist? Getting any meatier pieces to sink your teeth into?’
‘Now that you mention it . . .’ Jess grinned and filled Katie in. ‘I may borrow that suit for the interview.’
‘No problem. That is so exciting, Jess, and in the area you love, too. I’m delighted for you.’
‘I don’t have the job yet.’ Jess crossed her fingers.
‘You’ll ace it. It’s clear that not only are you smart but that you love what you do. Your mum must be so proud.’
‘She doesn’t know. I haven’t told anyone except you and Cal.’
Katie nodded. ‘You’re probably right. Much better to arrive with a bottle of bubbly when you get it.’
‘Katie, stop!’ Jess looked around for some wood to touch.
‘Fine, I won’t say another word. Anyway, I’m more interested in hearing about your family saga.’
‘It’s like something out of a movie, isn’t it? Mum’s been really open with me, and about John too.’
Katie shook her head. ‘She must have been upset when she remembered what he’d done. As if going through it once wasn’t bad enough.’
‘I know, but she’s determined to keep Dad’s infidelities from Sharon and Noel.’
‘That’s admirable. Is she completely recovered now, then?’ Katie asked. ‘Not embarrassing you anymore?
Jess laughed. ‘She’s fine and, yes, she’s much better behaved but I think that’s
a conscious effort for Bobby’s sake.’
‘That must be such a relief. Now tell me about your mad aunt.’
‘Mad may be the word.’ Jess frowned. ‘After the party that night in Doug’s, no one saw or heard from her. After a couple of weeks Mum was getting worried in case she’d done something stupid and went round to her flat, but the landlord said that she’d moved out. He got the impression that she was going abroad.’
‘I’m sure she’s fine. You don’t pack if you’re planning on topping yourself.’
‘She’s fine all right. Doug knew that Mum was worried about her and called a few friends in the travel business. He finally got a lead the other day. Mandy’s in Ibiza, shacked up with some rich bloke.’
Katie’s eyes widened. ‘You’re kidding?’
‘Nope. It’s typical for Mandy to land on her feet.’
‘What does your mother make of it?’
‘She’s glad that Mandy’s safe and maintains that she’ll be back in a couple of months when she gets tired of him or the money runs out.’
‘It’s a bit sad, really, isn’t it?’
Jess shrugged, thinking of Mandy’s vicious behaviour at Doug’s party. She had no sympathy for her aunt anymore. ‘On the plus side, Mum has taken over her job.’
Katie’s eyes widened. ‘No way!’
‘Way!’
‘So she’s not looking after Bobby anymore?’
‘She is. She works from home and Doug drops over if there’s anything they need to work on together.’
‘That’s brilliant. It will stop her missing Noel so much. And she’s finally dating too?’ Katie went on.
‘Yeah, she’s seeing Malcolm, a guy she once worked with in CML, Doug’s company. He seems nice. I think Mum is quite smitten but she’s playing it cool.’
‘It just goes to show that you’re never too old to fall in love.’
‘Speaking of love, what’s happening with Sam?’
Katie dismissed the guy with a wave of her hand. ‘That was just a bit of fun.’
Jess wasn’t fooled. From the little Katie had told her, it ran a lot deeper than that. ‘Jersey isn’t that far away,’ she pointed out. ‘How did he feel about you coming home?’
Second Time Around Page 35
