Sophie met Suzie in the car park and they walked the short distance to Pizza Express, where Rosemary was already into her second glass of chardonnay. After hugs and introductions, they gave their orders and the conversation turned to the issue at hand. Apparently, Rosemary’s solicitor had advised her that, if things continued as they were, she stood little chance of any claim on Robert’s house since, despite her daughters, her desire to live in his property with her new partner should not be allowed to compromise the funding of his ongoing care. Alternatively, if he were to be found guilty of financial fraud, embezzlement or the like, his property would become forfeit and she would continue to have no claim on any proceeds. On the other hand, if Robert were to die before charges could be brought against him, she would stand a chance of securing at least some of his estate owing to her and her dependants’ lack of complicity in Mr Perrin’s perfidious behaviour.
‘So, ladies, I’m hoping for his sudden death. I did think of going there tomorrow and offering him one last vigorous shag in an attempt to kill him. I tried suggesting it as a bargaining chip but apparently he has to avoid “arousal”.’
‘Good Lord,’ said Sophie. ‘Can he still not have sex?’
Suzie leaned closer. ‘In his last email, asking me to move back in, he said he knew that I’d understand his forced celibacy. He said that even when he tried to pleasure himself, his headache became unbearable.’
Sophie gaped at her. ‘He put that in an email?’
‘Actually, he said wank.’
‘That’s real irony for you,’ said Sophie. ‘To think that after his previous priapic commitment he’s now an obligate celibate.’
They shared a discrete snigger.
Their drinks arrived, another chardonnay and two mint teas. Rosemary reached over to pat Suzie’s hand. ‘So, sweetie, how’s the bump? Robert always wanted a son.’
‘We’re both fine,’ said Suzie.
‘And Sophie’s pregnant too. I hope it’s not contagious!’
‘Suzie’s worried that Robert will try and get visiting rights.’
‘Is that possible, Sophie?’
Suzie sighed. ‘With Jonah, anything’s possible. I just wish they’d put him in prison.’
A waitress brought their starters. Sophie waited for her to leave. ‘Prison doesn’t last as long as dead does. He’s wrecking my house and Sam’s solicitor said getting him out before he causes any more damage would be difficult given his medical circumstances. I was stupid to let him move back in there. He’s even pulled the floorboards up looking for… They think it’s a notebook or a hard drive or a memory stick. Something holding information that certain people want to get their hands on.’
‘And you’ve absolutely no idea where this thing could be?’ said Rosemary.
Sophie looked at Rosemary, who was currently comparing the size of her tiger prawns with Suzie’s, and dismissed her momentary suspicions. ‘It seems he hid it under Laura’s mattress but we never took the cot with us. And I’ve searched through everything. I think it must have been thrown away when I was sorting through things to take to Sam’s. Jonah thinks I found it and re-hid it, which is why he’s wrecked my house and why a load of thugs turned up at Jesse’s house over Christmas.’
‘What thugs?’ said Suzie.
Sophie paused. She might already have said too much. ‘I didn’t tell you. It was to do with the people Jonah’s got himself involved with. We informed the police. They said not to worry. But I’m scared that, whatever happens to Jonah, none of us will be safe until those people realise that what they’re looking for doesn’t exist any more.’
Rosemary put down her fork. ‘And you’re sure about that are you, Sophie? That this, whatever it is, doesn’t exist any more?’
Sophie watched her reach for her glass. ‘Rosemary, it’s lost.’
Rosemary sipped her wine. ‘Well, lost or not, our lives would be a whole lot easier if Jonah was out of the equation.’
‘But he isn’t out of the equation, is he? And all this rubbish about amnesia and confusion… he’s obviously decided it’s the way he can stay in my house, and get Suzie to skivvy for him, and take your house away from you.’
‘He’s been lying to us all,’ mumbled Suzie.
‘Well then, why don’t we make him realise he’s not going to get away with it.’ Rosemary emptied her glass. ‘Like, if we convince him that there’s no way he can set us against each other, that Sophie will evict him if he tries to take my house. And that neither of us will let him threaten you and your son, Suzie. Put an end to his lies once and for all.’