by Amanda Ward
Rhean’s face drained of color. “Mum’s usually right, of course. I won’t pester Laura. She’s had enough to cope with lately, what with the wedding and the move. She could be stressed out, Dad.”
“Rhean, stress doesn’t end up giving birth,” Hugo said, “but as soon as you find out...”
“You will be the first to know Dad.” Rhean’s stomach leaped at the thought of his wife full with their child. He wanted to smile, but was apprehensive in case his mother was wrong.
Picking up his coat, Hugo left Rhean to mull over their conversation after he’d clapped him soundly on the back.
Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, Rhean began to pace his office, distracted by thoughts of Nicki and Max. The intercom buzzed again.
“Your father-in-law on line one for you,” Julie told him.
“Hi Paul, what can I do for you?” Rhean greeted his father-in-law.
“Rhean, I was wondering if your dad had spoken to you.” Paul’s gravelly voice was clear and deep.
“He’s just left,” Rhean told him
“So you know about Nicki then?”
“Yes I do. Dad’s trying to find Max now,” Rhean told him
“Ah. I think I can help you there,” Paul said.
“You know where he is?”
“He rang a few minutes ago asking me if I had heard anything from Nicki. When he hung up, I dialed 1471. He’s at the Carrow. Do you know it?”
“I do indeed. You know what Paul? I think I could do with a walk,” Rhean said with a smile in his voice.
“Keep in touch, will you Rhean?” Paul asked.
“Will do. Speak to you soon.” Rhean hung up, and picking up his suit jacket and coat, left his office, After telling his secretary he would be out for a couple of hours, Rhean left the school and walked down the main road toward a crossroads. It was windy and rain threatened—just the way he felt inside. Leaves blew around and the wind tousled Rhean’s hair making it lift and fall against his crown. With a determined step, Rhean’s long legs ate up the yards as he strode purposefully towards The Carrow. The pub was set in the middle of a quiet lane. There were cars already in the car park as the public house was well-known for its food. Lunch times and evenings were always busy. Rhean hoped it wouldn’t be too crowded for him to find Max. Then a thought cropped up. He had never met Max, so how would he recognize him? Something Laura had told him recently about Theo came to mind. Of course. Theo was a younger version of his dad. Problem solved.
Rhean opened the heavy wooden door and entered the bar. A log fire blazed with several old-age pensioners sitting in front, sipping their pints. Seeing the young lord, the men nodded their heads towards him as a mark of respect. He held up a hand to acknowledge them though he felt a tad embarrassed. Behind the bar, stood a young woman trying to stifle a yawn. She was dressed in a black shirt and jeans. Leaning against the bar, the redhead looked bored and fed up. Soft rock music playing from an electronic juke box added to the ambiance. The Carrow was a small pub, trying to keep to the tradition of decent beer, and a quiet atmosphere. Only to keep trade, had the owners started meal deals and offering a reasonable bed and breakfast. Around the side of the bar there were booths with solid tables and burgundy padded stools. At the back was a small restaurant. He saw a few couples in the booths talking quietly and enjoying a drink, but no one who looked like Theo.
As Rhean approached the bar, the young woman caught sight of him and stood up straight. She pushed out her bust, accenting its fullness and smiled in a ʻcome and get me’ way. There was something familiar about the woman. Laughing, Rhean held up his left hand. The wide rose gold band glinted in the spotlights of the bar.
“Sorry miss, but I’m taken,” he told her. “But thanks for the compliment.”
“It’s always the gorgeous ones that are married or gay,” she complained in a sulky tone. “What can I get for you?” she asked
Laughing again, Rhean asked for a large coffee. “I can tell you I am definitely not gay, but very much married,” he said between chuckles.
“What is the point in coming to a pub just for a coffee?” she grumbled getting his drink. “It’s not as if you are a teacher….and oh my God it’s Mr. Tate!” The barmaid stopped what she was doing and turned round to face her former headmaster. Misha’s cheeks flushed bright red. Rhean smiled broadly as his ex-pupil flustered and apologized to him. He loved his job at times, and this was definitely one of them.
“It’s okay Misha, really.” Rhean was still chuckling when she handed him the large mug. When he reached into his pocket to pay her, Misha shook her head.
“It’s on the house, sir. I am so sorry.” She put her face in her hands; her cheeks were still flaming red. “I cannot believe I came on to my old head. I think I may take my lunch break,” Misha told him hurriedly leaving the bar and calling out for a colleague.
Rhean stirred sugar into his coffee and sipped it. He turned and walked around on the pretense of looking for somewhere to sit. Then he saw Max. A much older, grayer version of Theo with a receding hairline and gunmetal glasses, there was a worried look on his face. Max sat in a booth next to a window, nursing a pint and looking out. Max’s face was unshaven, drawn and lined twisting his thin wedding ring around on his finger in an agitated manner.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” Rhean asked. Max looked up at the tall young man who held a steaming mug.
“Help yourself,” he replied in a flat tone. He drank some more of his beer.
Rhean sat down and sipped his coffee.
Apart from the music and the quiet murmuring of voices, the pub was quiet. Realizing he would have to make the first move, Rhean cleared his throat. Again, Max turned toward Rhean.
“Is there a problem?” Rhean asked. “I’m a local. Well, that’s if you need anything,” he offered in a friendly manner.
Max looked at him. His gray eyes were red-rimmed and there were dark circles under them.
Rhean shifted uncomfortably under the older man’s fixed gaze. He drained the last of his coffee and sat back.
“Max. I’m Rhean Tate, Viscount Leighton,” Rhean introduced himself. The look Max flashed him held no recognition. Rhean tried again. “I’m Laura’s husband,” he clarified. At Laura’s name, Max’s eyes widened and he moved to leave the booth. Rhean wasn’t having any of that. He reached out and took hold of Max’s arm in a firm grasp.
“Get your hand off me,” Max ordered through gritted teeth. “For Christ’s sake, I was only going to get another drink.”
Rhean took his arm away and stood up. “I’ll get these,” he offered. Max nodded with a defeated air and sat down.”Same again?”
“Pint of the local, if you don’t mind.” Max’s eyes went back to the window.
When Rhean came back carrying their drinks, Max was perusing the menu.
“So…” Max started to speak but his voice trailed off.
“Awkward isn’t it?” Rhean said and then he chuckled at the absurdity of the situation. Max nodded and sipped his pint.
Rhean leaned forward and cradled his mug. “How long have you been here?” he asked.
“A day or so,” Max replied, leaning back. “So you married Laura?”
Rhean nodded.
“She’ll make you a wonderful wife,” Max told him. “She didn’t deserve what I did to her,” he admitted.
“She already is and no, Laura didn’t,” Rhean confirmed. “No woman deserves to be hit,” he continued, ice coating every word.
Max took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“You’re right. This is bloody awkward,” he admitted, drained his pint and got up.
“You really don’t need any more to drink,” Rhean told him. “I’m not here to cause trouble or start a fight.”
Max sat down again, clearly agitated.
“I came to help,” Rhean said in a calming manner, sitting back.
“Okay. You know Nicki and I were married soon after the divorce was final,” Max told Rhean, w
ho nodded. “Well, after my ‘counseling’ and the court hearing was over, Nicki found out she was pregnant.” Max leaned his head back against the chair. “Naturally. After all that time pumping herself full of hormones for IVF, she fell pregnant naturally,” Max repeated himself, as if he really couldn’t believe it had happened.
“I heard she lost the baby. I’m sorry,” Rhean said in a low voice full of sincerity.
Max shook his head.”Just the way nature works sometimes.” Max’s voice was resigned and he continued. “Anyway, Nicki went into a depression. She kept asking me if I wanted to see the kids and perhaps have them to stay the night sometime. It was impossible, of course, and I told her so. She didn’t seem to hear me. Then I heard from Paul that she had been to see Sophia, feeding her a load of rubbish about me wanting contact again. Of course it all added up. I asked Nicki what was going on. Tried to explain that I was not allowed to see the kids because of what happened. This time, she seemed to accept the situation.” Max shook his head sorrowfully and his eyes filled.
“So what went wrong?” Rhean asked, leaning across the table, and offered his mug of coffee.
Max attempted a smile and shook his head. “Well, everything was going well over Christmas and New Year’s. Nicki went back to work and we were getting along fine. No more mention of trying again for a baby. The miscarriage made her sterile,” Max told him.
Rhean swore under his breath.”Oh shit,” he said.
“Shit indeed. When we were asked to pick up results of some tests that they’d done, they told us Nicki had an infection which caused the miscarriage. Anyway, we were offered more counseling.” Max rolled his eyes. “Nicki refused, and a few days ago, she upped and left with no note—nothing.” His shoulders drooped in defeat.
“What made you come here?” Rhean asked.
“It’s where my children are,” Max stated. “Nicki can’t have her own, so she wants Laura’s.”
“Your wife does like to take things that don’t belong to he, doesn’t she?” Rhean stated bluntly his velvet voice edged in steel.”Husbands for instance?”
Max held up his hands. “Hey! You can’t blame that all on Nicki,” Max said in a loud voice.
Rhean looked aghast at the older man. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Rhean’s jaw clamped shut. There was a brittle silence. Rhean had an inkling that Max loved Nicki but he wanted to be sure how much. “You were having an affair with Nicki while you were married to her sister. How do you justify that?” he demanded, keeping his anger in check.
Max looked ashamed. “I can’t. Nothing I’ve done in the past—and especially to Laura and my children—was fair to them. I was a selfish bastard, thinking I could have it all—a faithful wife and wonderful mother to my children and a stunning mistress on the side fulfilling every fantasy,” he confessed. “I’ve told you that I served my time, paid my dues and I was trying to make a new life with Nicki. Now this has all blown up in my face, and I’m back to square one.” Max hit the solid table with a crack. Heads turned in their direction. “Nicki needs help, Rhean. She just won’t get it.” Max’s voice cracked and broke off. “I love her. I can’t lose her—not again.” A solitary tear ran down his cheek and he wiped it away with his sleeve.
Rhean took in all that Max had told him. It was an intense situation. He could see how much Max loved his wife and how ashamed he was at the way he’d treated Laura.
“What about the kids?” Rhean asked.
“It was always understood, that when they were old enough, if—and that’s if they wanted to get in touch with me—it would be their decision. I won’t push for contact with them. You should know I’ve actually been forbidden by a judge to see or speak to them.” Rhean nodded. “Not being able to see my children because of something I did, well, it really brings home what an absolute ʻfuck upʼ I’ve been.”
“Yes, well, breaking your wife’s ribs and getting your kids involved didn’t make you look like the perfect husband and father,” Rhean said with barely repressed rage. “Look, I’m sorry for what’s happening to you and Nicki, but, my first priority is to protect my wife and family. If anyone tries to hurt them, they will have to deal with me,” he replied with contempt that forbade any further argument between them.
Max nodded.
Their conversation had gone smoother than Rhean expected. He understood now that Max regretted the past, and that he wanted to help his wife get better and be able to move on with their lives.
“I don’t know about you,” Rhean said picking up the menu card,”but I’m starving. They do a mean steak and kidney pie here. What do you say Max?”
Max seemed to look at him with admiration.
“Sure. Why not? You know, Laura really picked a good one this time,” he told Rhean, who shook his head.
“She didn’t. Laura was mine the second I laid eyes on her.” Rhean smiled, thinking of his wife. The men stood up and went to the bar to place their orders.
****
Laura arrived home from her doctor’s appointment just after lunch, carrying a bag containing multivitamins and a mild antidepressant. The doctor tested her and confirmed the pregnancy. She had also suggested Laura take the antidepressants for a few months to begin with. Drinking a chilled glass of lemonade that she had let go flat, Laura took both tablets and began sorting out dinner for the family. Fridays were casual evenings nowadays with Theo and James going to the grange, Maisie out with the local youth club, so Rhean and Laura snuggled in the cozy den with a DVD. After scouring the kitchen cupboards, trying to find something to make for them, Laura grimaced and realized that it would have to be takeaway. She was about to make a pot of tea when the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, Laura came face to face with her ex-husband, Max.
“You have to be kidding me. What the hell are you doing here? You know you are not supposed to come anywhere near me,” she hissed at him, feeling as though a rug had been pulled out from beneath her. Her face paled with terror as memories assailed her senses. No. she was stronger than this. She stood her ground.
Max held his hands up. “No no no, Laura. I’m not here to cause trouble.”
“Like hell you’re not,” she swore vehemently, moving away and back up the hallway. She was not going to give him the upper hand.
“Hear me out please,” he begged, taking a step inside. Laura felt her head swim as she bent over and tried not to throw up. She righted herself and looked him straight in the eye, her hazel eyes flashing. Deep down, Laura knew she was stronger than this and that she was loved by a wonderful man who protected and cherished her. She carried a life made from their love inside her body and she would protect them no matter what the cost. Courage and strength flowed through her veins. Laura gestured to the living room, raising her chin. Max walked past her and into the living room, taking a seat on the forest-green couch. Laura remained standing.
“So, say what you have to say and then leave,” she told him in a strong clear voice.
“Nicki has disappeared,” Max stated and his head dropped down. “I came here to tell you that, and also to tell you that she needs help—psychological help—desperately,” he confessed quietly.
“I see. And this matters to me because?” Laura did not waver in her opinion of him and her sister.
“Because I love her and she’s your sister,” he said, desperation in his voice.
“Really, what a wonderful sister I have, stealing my husband from me!” Laura cried.
“I wasn’t yours to steal,” Max confessed in a quiet voice.
The color drained from Laura’s face. A few moments later she understood exactly what her marriage to Max had been about. She had been the wife and the mother while her sister had been his lover and the woman he should have married, instead of her. Her short time with Rhean had taught Laura what a real marriage and intimacy was. The final barrier toppled. After suffering at Max’s hands, she had been unable to give herself to any man, until Rhean came into her life. Through his actions, he’
d shown Laura that she was worthy of love, and finally, able to love him in return. Laura loved Rhean, not as friend, but as the man he was—faults and all.
“What do you want me to do?” Laura asked.
“If she contacts any of the kids, please let me know. Rhean knows where I’m staying,” Max told Laura. At the look on her face, he realized he should have kept his mouth shut.
“Rhean knows?” Laura asked.
Max nodded.”We’ve just had lunch together. He found me after your dad told him where I was.”
Laura’s eyes widened and fury swept through her. “Okay, so how many members of my family know what’s going on?”Laura demanded, her voice strengthening with anger.
Max thought for a moment.”I would say—”
“Pretty much everyone,” Laura said between gritted teeth, fighting the nausea that rose up in her throat. “Right. And er, how long has all this trouble with Nicki been going on?”
“Since the end of November,” Max confessed. “That was when she lost the baby.”
Mentally counting back the dates, Laura’s was assaulted by emotions. Their marriage. Could that have been why Rhean moved it ahead? Perhaps Rhean didn’t love her and just married her to protect her and the family. Betrayal swept over her. Laura’s head swam, but she pulled herself together and tried to think clearly and logically.
“You know what Max? I can’t deal with you at the moment. I have to go”
With tears streaming down her face, Laura swept out of the living room and toward the front door, grabbing her car keys.
Max called out her name, but to no avail. Laura was intent on seeing her husband and getting to the truth.
A short time later, Laura pulled up in the school car park. Looking into the mirror, she saw that her cheeks were flushed and her eyes red-rimmed. Pulling out her makeup, she attempted to repair her face. As she strode through the double doors into the school, the receptionist recognized her and buzzed her through.
