Twenty - Five

Knowing Mary and his sons would be away in Blackpool, Ronnie arrived at Dave’s house late one night, having parked the distinctive Chevrolet Corvette streets away.

He walked confidently into the narrow passageway beside the house, tried the back gate, and found it hadn’t been bolted on the other side. He grinned confidently and thought about how stupid the comedian was, not even taking the precaution of bolting the back gate. As he felt his way along the wall towards the back door, he patted his coat pocket. The bulge was small, but it gave him a feeling of immense power. With these two little beauties, these two state-of-the-art, miniature camcorders, he’d be able to keep his eye on his ex-wife. He could watch her every move. It would freak her out. Oh yes, he had plans for the bitch. By the time he was through with her, she’d come crawling to him, begging to have him back. After all, they were two of a kind.. The perfect couple. They always had been, and always would be.

***

Nigel hastily finished his breakfast, dashed into the bathroom, and doused himself with cologne and after shave. He smiled optimistically at his reflection in the shaving mirror and inwardly congratulated himself. That champagne had been a masterstroke. So why hadn’t she telephoned yet?

He went back downstairs, and was about to load his breakfast crockery in the dishwasher when the phone rang. Grinning, he dashed into the office and picked it up.

‘Oh, Nigel,’ said the loving, full-of-gratitude voice of his beloved. ‘Thank you! That was a wonderful thing to do. The cast were thrilled.’

He chortled with delight. ‘I hope you haven’t drunk it all. It’s for tonight. After the performance.’

She giggled, which was music to his ears.

‘Of course we haven’t drunk it. Mind you, there were a few of them who said they felt like getting sloshed after the dress rehearsal.’

‘Oh dear!’

‘Yes, it didn’t go too well. People forgot their lines and the director shouted at us.’

‘Huh! He’s lucky to get you. You’re the best thing in it, my sweet.’

‘You’re just saying that.’

‘I’m not. I mean it. I can’t wait for tonight.’

‘And I can’t wait for the week after next.’

‘Why? What’s happening then?’ he teased.

‘You know very well,’ she giggled, playing along with him. ‘There’s something on television I want to watch.’

Nigel laughed loudly. ‘Well, what’s to stop you watching it?’

‘Because I’ll be all tucked up with my husband. Oh, I do love you, Nigel.’

‘So do I,’ said Nigel, caught sight of his reflection in his computer monitor and smoothed down his hair. ‘I mean, of course, I love you. And after your performance tonight, I suggest we have a little celebration drinkie of our own. Just you and me. Back here, maybe.’

‘Oh, but we’re all of us going for a Chinese meal after the show. Cast and friends of the cast. It was Arnold’s idea.’

Nigel felt himself go cold and he gnashed his teeth.

‘Hello? Nigel? Are you still there?’

‘Yes, I’m still here,’ he said in a voice that had badly crashed.

***

Claire stared zombie-like at her bowl of muesli. Mike sat opposite her, trying to crunch his toast quietly in the stifling atmosphere.

‘You haven’t told me about your visit to Newcastle,’ he said after a long silence.

‘Haven’t I?’

‘No, you haven’t.’

‘Oh.’

Mike sighed, finding it difficult to conceal his irritation. ‘Listen, Claire, if you won’t see a doctor about this...’

‘I’m going!’ she snapped, cutting him short.

‘When?’

‘This morning.’

‘What time?’

‘Ten-fifteen.’

Mike glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘You’d better eat your breakfast then.’

‘I’m not hungry.’

‘You must eat.’

‘I said I’m not hungry.’

Mike stared at her, trying to suppress his growing anger. She hadn’t moved from that position, or even looked up at him, for the past fifteen minutes. He felt like shaking her, shouting at her, but knew it wouldn’t do any good. This was not self-indulgence on her part. This was real. Genuine depression.

‘Let’s hope the doctor can prescribe some happy pills,’ he said with forced cheerfulness.

‘I hope so.’ She looked up at him suddenly. ‘I don’t want to be like this you know.’

‘I never said you did.’

‘Only I get the impression you think I’m putting it on.’

Licking the marmalade from his fingers, Mike got up from the table and took his plate over to the sink, trying to find room in the pile of dirty crockery. ‘I’ve got to go and do some work. I’ll do the washing up when I get home.’

‘Don’t martyr yourself, Mike.’

‘I’m not. I’m trying to help.’

‘Don’t you think I want everything to be normal, just as they were?’

‘Of course I do.’

‘And, on top of it all, I’ve still got to write some stupid advertising feature on a new restaurant that’s opening in Tunbridge Wells.’

‘Well, you can do that on automatic pilot. You’ve done it before.’

‘But they want me to attend their opening night, as well. Will you come with me? At least it’ll be free food and wine.’

Mike smiled sympathetically, showing her he cared. ‘What could be better? Whereabouts is this place?’

‘Just off the High Street.’

‘What is it? Italian? Chinese? Indian?’

‘Well, it’s a wine bar, actually.’

Mike frowned. Somewhere in the back of his mind a warning chord struck. ‘What’s it called, this wine bar?’

‘I don’t know. Does it matter?’

He picked up his haircutting bag and walked to the door. As he was about to leave, Claire said: ‘I think it’s called Maggie’s Wine Bar. Very original, seeing as that’s what the owner’s name is.’

Mike went hot and cold suddenly. ‘When are we supposed to be visiting this wine bar?’

‘Tonight.’

‘I’ll see you later then.’

As soon as he left the house, Mike tried to call Maggie on her mobile. Although it was over between them, he had to let her know in advance that he would be showing up at her new wine bar with his wife, whom she had never met. For all he knew, she might handle it badly, and Claire might notice her behaviour, those tell-tale looks that pass between ex-lovers.

But Maggie’s mobile was on voice mail and he didn’t want to leave a message. Then he realised she was probably up to her eyes, what with it being the opening night of her wine bar. He glanced at his watch. He was already late for his first appointment. He would just have to hope and pray that Maggie was sensible enough not to allow her body language to reveal their past intimacy.