I’m still in shock over what happened last night. I was grateful that James had told me already because if I had seen that video without being forewarned about his affair with Anton, it would have destroyed me.
When I think of what Matthew and Venetia did, it makes my blood run cold. All night long I pictured Matthew in his prison cell awaiting trial and Venetia, alone and afraid at home. Maybe I should go and check on her, but I just can’t bring myself to even look at her after what she did to poor Arabella.
Out of all my friends, Arabella is the only one who hasn’t done anything wrong. She’s kind, loyal and a fighter because she handled the whole bankruptcy thing with class and pride. Then, when she discovered about Anthony and Venetia’s betrayal, she acted with dignity and I couldn’t admire her any more than I do.
Sighing, I get up and think about poor James. Last night was devastating for him and we talked long into the night after we got home. In a funny sort of way, I think he had closure at Fleurs and despite the shock, seemed more positive than I’ve seen him in ages. Maybe he will be ok, I certainly hope so because I came to a decision last night, I am leaving today for New York.
Last night showed me that life is too precious to spend wasting it on things that don’t make you happy. Miles makes me happy, so I am taking my original flight with James’s blessing.
I begin to get ready, filled with excitement for a future that looks bright and promising.
It doesn’t take me long and as I make myself breakfast, James appears and smiles ruefully. “You’re leaving then.”
I experience a pang as I stare at my husband and remember how happy we used to be and then nod and say softly, “I do love you, James, and care a great deal about what happens to you. If you want me to stay, I would, you know.”
He crosses the room and pulls me close, whispering, “I know you do. However, you have a new life waiting and it will make me the happiest man alive to see you enjoying it. You deserve it, darling. It’s all I ever wanted for you and I let you down in every way possible.”
I stare at him and say angrily, “You never let me down. If anything, it was me who let you down.”
“You?”
I nod miserably and sit down heavily. “I need to say something before I leave, and you’re not going to like it.”
James looks worried and I smile through the tears that have gathered as I think of how far I fell. As I confess all my sins to James about the jewellery, the pawnshop and the subsequent burglary, it’s as if a weight has shifted from my heart. I almost can’t look at him when I finish, but when I do, I’m surprised to see him smiling broadly. I’m in shock as he starts to laugh uncontrollably and I say in surprise, “What’s so funny?”
He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you did that; its pure genius. I would have loved to see you dressed up as your friends and, to be honest, it now makes sense of a lot of things.”
“Such as?”
“The clothes that appeared from what I thought was surely the best charity shop in the country. The excitement in your eyes when you wore them and the fact that you never asked me for money outside of what I gave you. I should have guessed you were up to something.”
I say in shock. “Aren’t you angry about the jewellery, I mean?”
“Not really. I never could stand that vulgar stuff my mother wore. Keeping it in the safe meant I didn’t have to look at it and bring back the memory of a vain and shallow woman. You know, she was always putting me down and making me feel inadequate. She stifled me from a very early age and probably turned me off women forever.”
He notices my face fall and reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. “I loved you though, Miranda. You were a little force of nature that crashed into my life one fine day as my new legal secretary. You brightened up a dusty office and brought the sunshine in. I fell in love with you almost immediately and longed to be at work just to see your beautiful face.”
He wipes away my tears as he says gently, “I still do love that side of you, darling. What you just told me isn’t that much of a surprise. You were always resourceful and only you would think of such an inventive way out of your problems. I’m impressed more than angry, so wipe away your tears and move on with my blessing.”
The doorbell rings and I smile. “That’s my cab. Now it’s come to it, I don’t want to leave. How ironic is that?”
James pulls me up and says firmly, “Go and make that new man of yours life hell instead of mine. Just make sure you keep in touch and keep me supplied with stories of what you get up to. Perhaps now we’re no longer together, I can become your gay best friend and we will have a better relationship.”
Impulsively, I hug him tightly and say tearfully, “I will miss you, and for the record, I love you with all my heart.”
The doorbell rings again and I smile through my tears and say with excitement, “This is it, my new life.”
James walks with me to the door and as I open it, I am shocked to see two police officers standing there instead of the taxi driver. My face falls as I say anxiously, “Can I help you?”
One of them steps forward and says firmly, “Miranda Donnelly?”
My heart starts racing as I say in a quivering voice, “Yes.”
“You are under arrest for burglary, theft, breaking and entering, and fraud. You have the right to remain silent…”
I hear nothing else as I begin to shake and am grateful for James holding me up as he says angrily, “This is preposterous. You can’t do this.”
The other officer says, “I think you’ll find we can. You may want to call a solicitor because your wife is going to need one.”
They take my arms and I cry out in fear, “James!”
He follows us out saying, “It’s ok, I’ll call the office. We’ll sort this, don’t worry about that.”
As I duck my head into the police car, I gaze around with fear. This can’t be happening. I’m due to start again in New York. This is all wrong.
James’s worried face stares after me as the car leaves The Chase and the tears fall freely. How did this happen? I am such a fool because now I have ruined everything.