The Second Wife

by Sheryl Browne

  EIGHT

  NICOLE

  PREVIOUS YEAR – JULY

  Hearing her phone beep as the duetting piano and violin drew their rendition of ‘Ave Maria’ to its beautifully evocative close, Nicole winced and scrambled to retrieve the phone from her bag.

  ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed at Richard, who turned to scowl at her as she muted it. A mock scowl. Nicole knew she hadn’t ignited an anger that would quietly smoulder until he could vent in private, as her former husband would have done, reminding her how useless she was, what an embarrassment she was. She’d never imagined she would feel safe in a man’s company ever again. Yet she did in Richard’s. It felt good. As if, after years being slowly suffocated, she could finally breathe again. The fact that he was undeniably handsome was a definite bonus. God, he looked gorgeous in his tailored grey suit and blue tie. She couldn’t wait to get him on honeymoon and unwrap him.

  Waiting until the musicians were duly applauded by the small gathering they’d invited back to the house for the reception, Richard rose from his seat and walked around behind her. ‘You look good enough to eat, Mrs Gray,’ he whispered huskily in her ear, causing her insides to melt, and then moved on past her to talk to Peter, her ex-work colleague, with whom he hadn’t yet had the chance to exchange more than a quick word. Richard knew of him, but the two men had never met properly, Peter having left the Ikon Art Gallery before Richard had ‘plucked up the courage’ to come and talk to her that first time.

  Seeing that Richard was already breaking the ice and shaking Peter by the hand, Nicole took the opportunity to retrieve her phone and check the text, which she guessed would be from Becky. Nicole had been gutted that the one person she cared most about in the world, apart from Richard, couldn’t be here. She was also upset for Becky. She must have been so shocked upon hearing that her son had been in a road traffic accident, just as she was about to leave for the ferry. Mercifully, Sam had sustained no more than a broken leg, but naturally Becky hadn’t been able to make it.

  Opening the text, Nicole smiled. Modern technology could sometimes be an annoying intrusion, but it meant they were able to communicate, even with an ocean between them.

  How did it go? she’d texted. Get back when you can. I want details, assuming I’m not texting the runaway bride?

  Typical Becky. Nicole’s smile widened. In an exchange of serious emails regarding the purchase of the house and her impending wedding, Becky had warned her that she might be making the second biggest mistake of her life. Nicole couldn’t blame her for thinking Richard sounded too good to be true. She’d had to pinch herself several times. If only Becky could meet him, she would see in an instant she had nothing to worry about.

  Rings are on fingers. Sun is shining. Man is hot! First dance shortly #nottherunawaybride Will get back with goss!

  She typed her reply quickly and then went to join Richard.

  ‘Ah, Nicky, looking utterly gorgeous.’ Peter squeezed her into a firm hug as she approached him. ‘If I may say so?’

  ‘You may.’ Nicole laughed and hugged him back hard. She was so glad he and his son had been able to come. She’d lost touch with all of her friends, apart from Becky and Peter, while miserably married to the misogynist, meaning most of the guests were Richard’s or Olivia’s. Peter had kept in touch via email, access to which she’d only ever had when she snuck off to the library, the one place the misogynist had let her visit on her own, because he’d found it boring. Even then, she’d had to take the phone he’d provided, which had a tracking app on it. Back then, Peter would regularly ask her if she would reconsider going back to the college where she’d taught the evening art classes – she’d inspired the students, he’d said. It had been out of the question, of course. He might as well have asked her to fly to the moon.

  The misogynist had found out about her secret correspondence, inevitably. Nicole had never been able to hide anything easily. She felt it afresh, the cold fear clenching her stomach as she’d turned away from the PC to find he’d been standing behind her. It had been there then, the fury burning silently in his eyes. His fingers had bitten painfully into her flesh as he’d taken her by the arm and ‘escorted’ her out, smiling charmingly at the librarian as they went. Strangely, the cracked rib she’d sustained when he’d been ‘forced to reprimand her for her deceit’ had hurt less than him calling her a whore and spitting in her face.

  Goosebumps prickling her skin, despite the summer heat, Nicole shook off the memory. She wouldn’t let it spoil her day. He’d stolen her life. She had it back. Henceforth, she would make new, happy memories with a man who wanted her because he loved her, not because he couldn’t bear anyone else to want her.

  ‘Seriously, you’re looking stunning, Nicky,’ Peter cut through her too-depressing reminiscing. ‘Obviously the new man in your life is good for you.’

  She followed his gaze towards Richard, who, though still standing with them, now seemed distracted, glancing across the patio to where Olivia seemed to be enjoying Peter’s son’s company. Zachary appeared somewhat awkward, Nicole noticed, flushing profusely as Olivia took hold of his hand and led him to the buffet table. Nicole remembered him as a shy boy, from the few times Peter had brought him along to their evening art classes. She wasn’t surprised that he was embarrassed by the attentions of someone as head-turningly beautiful as Olivia.

  ‘He is good for me.’ She turned back to Peter rather than stare at the poor boy and embarrass him further. ‘The best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time.’

  Nicole did actually think she looked better lately, more her old self, with the sparkle back in her eyes and some colour to her cheeks, which definitely improved her pale complexion. Finding the dress had been a nightmare though. With little time to shop, she’d decided on an oyster silk slip dress from a local store, which fitted rather too snugly; but, miraculously, she wasn’t too bothered how she looked. Richard had never once looked her over with a critical eye. She was sure he never would.

  ‘As long as he appreciates you,’ Peter said, glancing again at Richard, whose gaze was still on Olivia. She appeared to be feeding Zachary a slice of quiche. Poor Zach looked as if he might choke on it.

  ‘Oh, he does. And I appreciate him, too.’ Looking teasingly back to Richard in hopes of drawing him into the conversation, Nicole smiled. Richard’s attention, however, was still on Olivia and Zachary.

  Nicole shrugged good-naturedly. He was rather protective of her, having been her sole carer since her mother died. ‘Do you fancy a top-up?’ she asked Peter, nodding at his almost empty wine glass.

  ‘Better not. I’m driving. Time I went on to soft drinks, I think,’ Peter declined regretfully. ‘It’s a fabulous house,’ he commented, glancing around. ‘Not quite the kind of property I imagined you in, but classy.’

  ‘Too classy for me, you mean?’ Nicole raised an eyebrow in amusement.

  ‘Definitely not that.’ Peter gave her admonishing glance. ‘You could outclass royalty, Nicole, trust me. I just couldn’t help noticing it’s a bit…’

  ‘White?’ Nicole suggested.

  ‘Soulless, I was going to say.’ Peter smiled, looking relieved that she obviously wasn’t about to take offence. ‘In need of a Nicky boho makeover.’

  Nicole laughed. ‘Which it will have,’ she assured him. ‘We’re thinking of it as our blank canvas, aren’t we, Richard?’

  Richard was still watching Olivia and Zachary, who were now heading towards the open patio windows. ‘Liv?’ he called curiously. ‘Bored already?’

  Stopping, Olivia turned towards him. ‘Swimming costume,’ she shouted over the sounds of the band tuning up, indicating her body with a sweep of her hand, which definitely had one or two male heads turning. ‘Can Zach use one of yours?’

  ‘Zach, swimming? As in, baring his body in public?’ Peter glanced in surprise at Nicole.

  ‘He must be getting over his shyness,’ Nicole suggested.

  ‘So it would seem.’ Peter’s look was a
mixture of bemused and amused.

  Richard’s seemed to be one of agitation, Nicole noticed, puzzled. ‘No problem, help yourself,’ he said eventually, his smile rather tight.

  ‘Sorry.’ Kneading his forehead with his forefinger and thumb, he turned to Nicole at last. ‘It’s just that Liv already has a boyfriend.’

  ‘She does?’ Now Nicole was surprised. She hadn’t seen any evidence of one.

  Richard nodded apprehensively. ‘They’ve been going out a while. He’s been away at uni, but he said he’d drop by sometime today. I’m a bit concerned, as you can imagine.’ Moving closer, he slid an arm around her. ‘Apologies for seeming distracted, Peter. Can I get you some more wine?’

  ‘No more for me, I’m afraid,’ said Peter, declining again graciously. ‘I think I might need to go and grab some food to soak up what I’ve already had. Catch you later, Nicky.’

  ‘Sorry,’ Richard apologised again, as Peter went across to the buffet table. ‘I was being a bit overprotective. I need to let her grow up and live her own life, I suppose.’

  ‘Which won’t be easy, having been a single parent.’ Nicole understood. Any father would worry about his daughter – particularly such an attractive daughter.

  ‘No,’ Richard conceded, with a sigh. ‘But then, I have my own life to live too now, don’t I?’ He eased her towards him. ‘I believe this is our dance, Mrs Gray.’

  ‘Oh heck.’ Dropping her head to his shoulder, Nicole tried to still her nerves. ‘I haven’t danced in so long, I’m sure I’ve forgotten how.’

  ‘Just close your eyes and hang on,’ Richard said softly. ‘I’ll make such of mess of it, all eyes will be on me, trust me.’

  Nicole laughed and held on tight, as she intended to forever.

  The lead singer hadn’t got further than the opening line when a high-pitched scream from inside the house caused the music to die.

  Pulling away from her, Richard paled.

  ‘Stop!’ Olivia screamed. ‘I said no! Get away from me! Dad!’ she sobbed. ‘Dad!’

  ‘Jesus Christ!’ Richard ran.

  NINE

  REBECCA

  PRESENT

  Shaken, Rebecca swallowed back her tears as she left the village hall. She was positive that the painting had been as much a message as any typed in black and white. What on earth had gone on that Nicole had felt unable to convey it but through her art? Despite her best attempts to spot the flaws in Richard Gray that she’d imagined Nicole couldn’t see, she hadn’t yet found any. He seemed genuinely deeply caring, not the kind of man who would cause Nicole to recoil into herself, to feel trapped or threatened all over again.

  Wiping a hand across her cheek, she walked slowly back to the churchyard. She needed some alone time before meeting Olivia and Richard at the café. Some space to try to get her conflicting emotions in some sort of order.

  Wondering again at how quickly the wedding had taken place, about why they’d chosen to live in such a grand house – or rather why Nicole had, thereby relinquishing the funds from her own house, which Richard had at first said she shouldn’t – she followed the meandering path which took her past the church towards Nicole’s plot, and then stopped and stepped back into the stone arch of the doorway. Richard and Olivia had also come here, it seemed, and not to reflect in quiet contemplation. They appeared to be arguing: Richard’s back was towards her, and Olivia’s body language was animated, her voice not as subdued as it should be, given their location.

  ‘We can’t!’ Rebecca heard her shout. ‘It’s too soon!’

  Richard said nothing, raising his hands instead, as if despairing, and then half turning to walk away.

  ‘It’s too soon! You know it is!’ Olivia called after him.

  Richard stopped. Even from a distance, Rebecca could see him drawing in a tight breath. Slowly, he turned back to face her. ‘I have to, Liv,’ he said tiredly. ‘The new development isn’t going to build itself. The builder’s gone bust.’

  ‘But how?’ Olivia glared at him, somewhere between tearful and angry. ‘There must have been some indication they were in trouble. You’re a property developer. You should have known.’

  ‘Yes, well, the way things escalated with Nicole…’ Richard stopped and massaged his temples. ‘I took my eye off the ball, Liv. I didn’t foresee this happening. If I had, I could have done something about it. I’m sorry, but what else am I supposed to do? I have to cut my losses and free up funds to employ another contractor. It’s either that or I’m stuck with half-renovated properties I can’t sell on.’

  ‘But we said we’d take some time – at least give ourselves the chance to breathe and take a holiday. And now this! It’s not fair,’ Olivia cried.

  Rebecca hardly dared breathe. He wasn’t financially secure – or at least not as affluent as appearances might have people believe. Her heart palpitated at that realisation. Clearly, he had money worries, with no available funds he could immediately put his hands on to rescue whatever venture had gone wrong. Was that truly because he’d been so preoccupied with Nicole’s illness he’d taken his eye off the ball?

  Olivia seemed to be extremely upset: wrapping her arms about herself and dropping her gaze. Transfixed, Rebecca watched as Richard faltered for a second before going back to her. Sliding an arm around her, he spoke quietly and then eased her closer, nestling her head on his shoulder and stroking her hair with soft, soothing strokes as she gave way to tears.

  Despite this clear display of tenderness, Rebecca felt a prickle of apprehension run through her. She had some information – glimpses into their relationship, provided by Nicole’s correspondence – but even with that knowledge, knowledge that Richard and Olivia plainly weren’t aware she had, she couldn’t know for sure what had happened. She needed to talk to him, get to know him better, before asking the questions she needed to, which would seem like accusations unless asked in the right context.

  She needed to spend more time here. Once her house sale was complete, she’d been intending to rent until she could find somewhere suitable to buy, so it would seem a natural thing for her to stay at a hotel in order to view properties available for rental. There were so many things unresolved in her mind; she couldn’t just leave it. She simply couldn’t rest until she’d fulfilled her unspoken promise to Nicole to establish all the facts.

  Seeing Richard turn around again, Rebecca almost stepped back, but then, realising he couldn’t fail to see her, she stopped. ‘Sorry,’ she said, trying not to appear too flustered. ‘I saw you two were deep in conversation and thought I should give you a minute.’

  Coming towards her, Richard nodded and smiled. His look was wary, though, as if he knew she couldn’t have failed to have overheard.

  ‘It was lovely to finally meet you,’ Rebecca said, as Richard walked her from the house to her car the next morning. ‘I wish it could have been sooner. Things might have been different…’

  ‘If only?’ Richard picked up intuitively, as she trailed sadly off. ‘There are always if onlys in life, Rebecca. Always what ifs. I haven’t stopped questioning myself since it happened, haven’t stopped wondering what I might have done differently. My head tells me I couldn’t have done anything differently. My heart, though – that’s a whole other story.’

  Rebecca nodded understandingly. ‘Did her GP not refer her to someone?’ she asked, still not able to understand why she hadn’t received expert help.

  Sighing heavily, Richard ran his hand over his neck. ‘He did, apparently. It came out at the inquest. Nicole obviously decided not to pursue it. I offered to pay for a private psychiatrist, but…’

  ‘But?’ Rebecca urged him, as he hesitated.

  Richard met her gaze, nothing short of agony now in his eyes. ‘She thought I was trying to control her.’ He shrugged hopelessly. ‘I don’t think she ever really recovered enough from her abusive relationship to trust me completely. I wish I could have convinced her that she could. That I wasn’t anything like that bastard. Christ, what I’d give
to get hold of him. Show him what it’s like to be mercilessly bullied.’

  Rebecca closed her eyes. He had known her – or at least that much about her. ‘No, she would always have borne the scars,’ she said, swallowing back a tight knot in her throat as the caged lark came to mind. Nicole’s first husband had clipped her wings. She’d been too broken to fly free again. Was that what she’d been trying to convey in that sad, lonely painting?

  ‘Apologies for the language.’ Clearly contrite at his display of temper, Richard glanced down and back.

  ‘Don’t be,’ Rebecca said, not blaming him for that in the least. ‘He was. A complete bastard. Sadly, they do exist.’

  Richard’s jaw tightened. ‘Evidently,’ he said, reaching to open her door for her as Rebecca pressed her key fob. ‘Sorry about the conversation you overheard yesterday too,’ he said, broaching the subject Rebecca had assumed he must have been reluctant to in front of Olivia.

  ‘Not a problem,’ Rebecca assured him, climbing into her car. ‘It’s really none of my business.’

  ‘Still, it was bad timing, to say little of the location.’ Richard sighed regretfully. ‘My only excuse is that I’m not thinking straight. I shouldn’t have announced to Olivia that I was going to sell the place out of the blue. I had a property deal go wrong. Nothing that can’t be remedied – I have other properties I can sell, funds overseas I can release – but since I’m not sure I can live here without Nicole… Though Olivia clearly needs a little more time, so…’

  ‘No apologies necessary, Richard, honestly.’ Rebecca said reassuringly.

  ‘We should keep in touch,’ Richard suggested. ‘Just in case anything comes up. And to talk, if either of us feels the need to. I’m not sure what your plans are, but if you’re thinking of holidaying in the UK, then you’re more than welcome to stay here.’