Edwin writes to Brian Moss that he feels his wife Angelica is entitled to nothing at all. She betrayed him, insulted him, humiliated him in front of his friends, turned out to be a different person than the one he married – couldn’t he seek an annulment rather than a divorce, on this account? And then strip her of her apparent right to keep a title she had obtained by deception? Her use of the title shows her contempt for all things decent. And shouldn’t she be compelled to disclose her whereabouts?
Brian Moss writes back to say that the Courts are not likely to allow Angelica to go completely unmaintained. If he offers her a small apartment and £1,000 a month, as a starting offer, it is likely that his wife will withdraw her counter-petition, and his divorce can go quietly ahead and he can anticipate being married to Anthea before the year is out.
Jelly puts an extra zero on the £1,000, changes ‘small apartment’ to ‘substantial house on the Rice Estate’; prints out the letter, wipes out the changes on the computer and re-enters the original. When Edwin writes back saying that he will offer her half that sum and that he does not want his ex-wife living anywhere near him, she destroys the letter and substitutes for it one requesting Brian Moss offer his wife £5,000 a month, signs it, and gives it to Brian Moss to read. She changes Brian’s reply, omitting his expressions of surprise, but suggesting that if he doesn’t want Lady Rice living close by he should perhaps offer her, in final settlement, a semi-derelict house in Lodestar Avenue, presently coming back, upon expiry of leasehold, into the Rice Estate: Brian Moss has reason to believe Lady Angelica is prepared to withdraw her counter-petition if this is done.
At this point, Jelly allows the natural correspondence to flow untampered with. Any inconsistencies she can iron out as she goes along. She is good at Edwin’s signature, has Rice Estate letterheads to hand: she keeps in her desk drawer sheets hand-signed by Brian Moss a-plenty. The important thing is that she is not late, or ill, so that Brian Moss doesn’t get to open his own mail.
Jelly speaks by telephone to Barney Evans, refraining from saying that if she had taken his advice and declined to counter-petition, she would not now be in so strong a position, and asks him to write to Brian Moss saying the financial offer made is ludicrously small, considering the length of the marriage, and Sir Edwin’s conduct; how about £7,500 a month. Brian Moss passes the message back to Sir Edwin.
Jelly kisses the back of the envelope before dropping it into the letter box. She is not sure why she does it. Perhaps Lady Rice surfaced again, stirred up by this almost-contact with Edwin? Jelly fears it may be because the entity still loves Edwin, rather than that the several personae have this one thing in common, the need for money and comfort; but can’t be sure. Jelly doesn’t think for long about matters like that, so it was as well it was she, not Angelica or Angel, who did the posting. Or the letter would have stayed in the back of a drawer while she made up her mind. Or thus she persuades herself. She is quite a Polyanna.
All is looking well for Jelly until a letter arrives from Edwin asking Brian Moss to hurry the whole thing up, get everything settled, he wants to marry Anthea, they want to have babies.
Jelly, opening this bombshell first thing in the morning, begins to cry. She cries and cries and has to tell Brian Moss when he comes in that she’s allergic to the poppies on her desk. He flings open the window and tosses poppies, vase and all out, in a gesture which reminds her of Edwin, so she cries some more. Brian Moss clasps her and tells her tears in a woman always affect him: he’d like to make love to her there and then.
Jelly pushes him away, and says certainly not, this is appalling sexual harassment. He says that weeping is its own form of harassment, but goes into his office and sulks for the rest of the day. Lady Rice is back in control: much weeping always revives her. Jelly has to go into hiding, keep the company of Angelica and Angel. With Jelly there to control her, at least Angelica doesn’t spend so much time in the shops, and money is saved. And Angel is cheered up: Lady Rice gives Angel some opportunity to take over from time to time.
One of the first things Lady Rice does is to reinstate Ram’s morning journeys to work. They stop off in the car park, but Lady Rice is nervous, afraid of being seen, worrying that her husband might find out, and Ram puts an end to the relationship. Lady Rice is relieved, and Ram says to his friends he doesn’t understand women one bit: they lack consistency.