The next few days pass in a blur. I want to confront Anthony but am fearful of what he might say. Instead, I become the sort of person I never wanted to be, mistrustful and anxious and I can tell he notices because he withdraws from me even more. He starts coming home late and when I question him, he says it’s the long hours he has to put in to prove himself with the new company.
Money is still tight and I have to ask him every time I want something. When I told him about the credit cards, he merely fixed me with a disapproving glare and told me angrily that I wasn’t supposed to be spending. Instead, I have a weekly allowance that he gives me for groceries and that’s it.
I’ve had to turn down invitations to dinner and lunches out because I have no way of affording it. I can’t even go to the country club because he cancelled our membership and I am dreading telling my friends why.
The dreaded knock on the door comes early one morning as I clean the kitchen for the umpteenth time and I’m surprised to see Fleur, Miranda and Venetia standing there looking worried.
Flour says quickly, “Okay, tell us to mind our own business, but is something the matter?”
I sense the heat flooding through me as I try to control the panic her words bring. Instead, I shake my head and fling the door open a little wider. “No, whatever makes you say that? Come in and I’ll make you a coffee.”
They follow me inside and my heart starts thumping as I sense the inevitable questions heading my way.
As they sit around the breakfast bar and watch me prepare the coffee, Miranda says gently, “You know, if there’s a problem, we’re your friends and may be able to help.”
The others nod and I try to brazen it out. “No, there’s no problem. Why do you ask?”
Venetia says shortly, “Because you never come out anymore and there’s a rumour around the country club that you had to get a refund on your membership because you were struggling financially.”
I daren’t look at them and merely laugh, which sounds false even to my ears. “Nonsense, we just fancied a change, that’s all.”
The silence speaks volumes as I sense the disbelief in the air. Luckily, the doorbell rings, distracting me from any more awkward questions, and I smile apologetically. “I’m sorry, I won’t be a minute.”
Closing the door carefully behind me, I head to open the front door, sure it’s the package I’ve been expecting from Harrods. Once again, I guiltily remember the gift voucher I used to buy myself the fabulous new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes that I needed to cheer me up.
When I open the door, I’m surprised to see two men standing there who glare at me with hard expressions.
“I’m sorry. May I help you?”
One of them holds a clipboard and says loudly, “Arabella Adams?”
I nod and step outside, pulling the front door closed behind me and say in a whisper, “Yes.”
He consults his clipboard and says, “We’ve come to repossess your car. Can you grab us the keys and sign this form and we’ll be on our way?”
I stare at him in shock before grabbing the clipboard and frantically reading the words before my eyes. “This can’t be right. You’ve made some sort of mistake; you can’t repossess something that’s been paid for.”
The men share a look and the other one says kindly. “I’m sorry madam, but we can. You see, this is on a list of items that are to be returned to the creditors. Your husband agreed that this will be taken as part payment against his own vehicle. We have already secured the Bentley, but now we need the Porsche. Perhaps you should call your husband and he will confirm what we say.”
Nodding, I step back inside and meet Fleur heading towards me. One look at my face and she grabs my arm and pulls me into the living room, closing the door behind her. She says in a whisper, “Tell me, Arabella. I won’t tell anyone else. Let me help you. I can tell something’s up and no amount of denying it will change my mind.”
Perhaps it’s because she’s being so kind and I really need a friend right now. I burst out crying and sob, “They want to repossess my car.”
Shaking her head, she holds out her phone and says calmly, “Phone Anthony. He’ll know what to do.”
I nod gratefully and dial his number with shaking fingers. He sounds surprised when he answers because, to my knowledge, Fleur has never called him.
“Hi, Fleur, how can I help?”
“It’s me, Anthony, we’ve got a problem.”
There’s a short silence before he says urgently, “What’s happened?”
“Some men are here to take my car. They told me you already know about it.”
Once again, the silence emphasises the distance between us and then he says in a broken voice. “Give them the keys. I’ll explain when I get home.”
I cut the call and turn to face Fleur with frightened eyes. “It’s true.”
The look she gives me couldn’t make me feel any worse as I see the sympathy in her eyes. Gently, she takes my arm and whispers, “Ok, do what you have to and I’ll distract the others. I’m sure it’s just a blip and we can sort it; don’t worry, you’re not on your own.”
Nodding sadly, I head off to get the keys as my heart breaks. This is so real. It’s happening and soon I won’t be able to disguise it anymore. The trouble is, I’m in unfamiliar territory and don’t know what to do about it.
Fleur heads back to the kitchen and I hand over the keys to my precious car. Once I’ve signed the papers, I take a copy and the men throw me a sympathetic look before walking away. As I close the door, the walls close in on me. This is only the beginning; I know it is, and yet nothing prepares me for what’s heading my way on the horizon.
The faces of the other women tell me I need to confess. It’s obvious they realise something is up and to be honest, I’m too tired to try to cover it up anymore.
Fleur looks worried as I say with a sigh. “I’ve got something to tell you.”
They stare at me expectantly as I say sadly, “Anthony lost his job along with our savings. He’s got another job, but I think we owe so much it will take a while to sort the mess out.”
Miranda looks shocked and says sweetly, “You poor thing, that’s terrible. Is there anything we can do? Possibly James can help?”
Fleur rolls her eyes. “Only if it involves the court. I hardly think they need a Barrister, Miranda. No, they need money, and fast by the sounds of it.”
Miranda looks cross. “Don’t be so quick to dismiss his services. Perhaps Anthony can sue for wrongful dismissal. I’ll ask James later on tonight.”
Venetia looks shocked. “That’s terrible.”
I nod. “It is. The trouble is, that’s not everything.”
They gaze at me expectantly and I wonder whether to say anything at all, but now I’ve started with the confessions, I can’t stop. “I think I may be pregnant and am worried that Anthony’s having an affair.”
You could hear a pin drop in the room as the horrified faces stare at me with total disbelief.
Fleur stares around her, shaking her head and Miranda reaches over and takes my hand. Venetia, however, looks angry and hisses, “Disgusting. I can’t believe it. What makes you say that—the affair, I mean.”
“I found a hotel receipt for a fancy London hotel when he told me he was on business in Manchester. From the details, it appears he had room service for two, including champagne and caviar. That doesn’t sound like a business meeting to me, does it you?”
They all shake their heads and Miranda says gently, “Are you going to confront him?”
I stare at my friends and see the pity mixed with excitement in their eyes. This gossip is like gold dust to them and I’m under no illusions that they are revelling in it.
I shrug. “I haven’t decided yet. Anyway, I can’t tell him I’m pregnant because it would destroy whatever relationship we are clinging to.”
Fleur says sharply, “Why?”
Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair with distraction. “Because he told me no children. He doesn’t want them yet, and he could be right. Anyway, I may not be pregnant and have probably just been incredibly stupid and should come clean and confess. The secrets that are destroying my marriage tell me they’re not worth hanging onto. Perhaps I should deal with all the bad news once and for all.”
The others nod in agreement and Miranda says softly, “Whatever happens, you have us. If you need somewhere to escape to, we have a spare room with your name on it.”
Fleur reaches out and takes my hand. “Same. You’re not on your own, babe.”
Venetia nods. “Yes, I expect you should talk it through. It may be the best time to get it all out in the open.”
She looks at her watch and pulls a face. “Sorry, ladies, I must dash. I have a flight at ten and need to change. I’ll be away for a few days, but text me if you need to, Arabella. Don’t worry, we’re all here for you night or day.”
I smile gratefully and the others jump up to follow her. Fleur hugs me warmly and whispers, “Tell him. It’s for the best, and I’m sure it will make you stronger.”
Miranda nods. “Secrets are like a cancer. Leave them and they destroy. Cut the cancer out and move on with your life.”
As she says the words, I notice a sadness in her eyes that isn’t there for me. There’s something troubling my friend and even in my darkest hour, I can see she has demons of her own.
However, I have no time to dwell on Miranda’s problems because I’ve made up my mind. Tonight, I’m going to confront Anthony about the hotel and to hell with the consequences.