Page 17 of The Good Girl
Chapter Sixteen
Julia emerged from the bathroom to collect her robe and nightdress.
She was tempted by her bed, the crisp white linen made up tight, the soft lavender scent of pillow spray lingering in the air.
Maybe after her bath she’d take a nap until Dee returned.
She’d need the energy for whatever entertainment her youngest had planned.
As she passed the dresser she glanced at her reflection and noted it was tired, but she would still pass as younger than her years, thanks to the needles, her hair stylist who kept her blonde looking natural, and the most expensive lotions Selfridges had to offer.
Each night and morning, Julia applied moisturiser and potions to her face, slowly, with the kind of care and attention she’d hoped to get from Shane.
Her mother always said Julia was ageing well.
And so she should – it bloody cost enough!
Julia raised her chin. High cheekbones, defiant blue eyes set against the faintest of laughter lines.
That made her sad, because maybe that told her she hadn’t laughed enough.
Remembering her bath she raced into the bathroom, turned off the taps and realising the water was far too hot, moved back into the lounge area and leaned against the frame of the French doors, inhaling the gentle summer breeze that stirred the trees.
The sway of their branches rhythmic and insistent, mesmerising away her troubles if only for a second.
She was about to go and turn down the sheets when the suite door below opened, then soft slow footsteps. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. Shane.
‘I thought you and I could have a quick drink together and a chat,’ he said, voice casual as he held up a bottle of sauvignon and two glasses.
She stayed still. ‘I’m fine, thanks. And I’d prefer it if you knocked before you came in here. Manners maketh the man and all that.’
There was a pause. She could almost feel his gaze as it pressed against her back and heard the clink of glasses as he put them on the table with the wine.
‘If you say so… but, Julia, I do think we need to talk,’ he said softly.
‘Now? I’m about to take a bath and you need to be off, so can’t it wait?’ Julia swallowed down nerves.
‘Yes. Now. And I have plenty of time.’
She turned. Her eyes found his. Her hands didn’t shake, but they were on their way. He walked over to the French doors and leaned against the opposite door frame; arms folded.
‘Talk about what?’ Julia dared to ask, dreading the reply.
‘You know what.’ He smiled but his face was tight. ‘That email from Nancy. I read it.’
What? How? Thoughts raced. When did he see? She was always so careful when he was around. Julia trembled inside but said nothing, wishing Dee was home and she’d not told Magda to go.
‘I should have said something sooner. I suspected you were up to something but I needed to be sure.’ He stared, locking her into place with his eyes.
She took a breath. ‘Sure of what, exactly? And how dare you look at my emails. You had no right!’
He completely ignored her protest, huffed loudly, then answered, ‘That you were planning to end things.’
Her heart stalled just for a moment and then she realised there was no point in denying it. ‘We can’t go on like this, Shane. It’s unbearable.’
‘Yes you’re right, it is. For the past couple of years you’ve sucked the life out of our marriage and made me feel unloved and like one of your employees. Managed. Controlled. Beholden.’
Julia laughed, surprised by the sound but it was a natural response to his ludicrous comment.
‘Please. Don’t start talking rubbish and gaslighting me.
It’s been a long day and I really haven’t got the time or patience to listen to your spoilt petulance.
Just go. We can discuss this after the party or when I get back from America. ’
‘And there you go, telling me what to do, just like I’m one of your minions.’
He stepped closer. She watched him. Carefully. Every movement. Every breath.
‘So, is that what you want, a divorce?’
‘Yes, it is, a clean break. The girls need stability, and this… this farce is hurting them.’
He shook his head slowly, walking to the coffee table and opening the wine. ‘You think it’s going to be easy, don’t you? And that I’ll let you keep everything. The house. The company. The girls.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘I don’t want everything. I just want out. You’ll get your share, don’t worry, and it’ll be worth it to be rid of you. Every single penny, even if you don’t deserve it.’ Another pause. He looked at her like she was nothing, and that hurt.
‘You know,’ he said, tone low, ‘people talk about you like you’re some saint. A grieving widow and Supermum turned ace businesswoman. But I know the truth. That you’re a cold, frigid selfish bitch who doesn’t care about her trophy daughters, just her show house and bank balance.’
That hurt, about the girls because it wasn’t true, the rest, maybe so but he’d made her that way. But instead of crumbling she met his gaze and retaliated.
‘While you play the charming, bumbling fool. It suits you. Maybe you deserve this year’s award for biggest waste of space at ClearGlass. Remind me to put your name forward, I’m sure you’ll get lots of votes.’
His eyes darkened. The silence returned. She stepped back and gave herself space then said, quietly, ‘Just so you know, I’ve made all the arrangements and Nancy knows everything.’
‘Of course she does. Wouldn’t expect anything else from that bitch.’
‘You’ll be hearing from my solicitor soon.’
He didn’t speak. Julia moved toward the sofa, her hand brushing the soft surface for reassurance. Her pulse quickened, but she didn’t let her nerves show. ‘If you care at all about the girls, you’ll make this easy.’
Shane’s smile returned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Why should I do that? I’ve toed the line and done as you asked and not rocked the boat but if you’re set on divorce, why should I keep the big secret? What have I got to lose?’
‘And that’s the burning question, isn’t it, Shane? Looks like we’ve reached a stalemate and right now I’m wearing my best poker face, so I suppose it’s time we both showed our hands. I’m not bluffing. Are you?’ Julia watched as a nerve in his eye twitched.
‘You can walk away from all of this with a decent settlement and get on with your life and I’ll get on with mine, and if you care about the girls the way you say you do, you’ll not only keep your mouth shut, you’ll stay in their lives.
Depending on how you behave, I think the next few months will be your chance to rewrite what everyone thinks about you, or not, depending on how you handle it all. ’
Shane leapt forward, coming within centimetres, his body visibly shaking. ‘Don’t you dare threaten me.’
She held her ground. ‘It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise. I’m sick of you holding me to ransom and it’s about to end. Fact. Deal with it.’
‘I will, don’t you worry about that because I swear I’ll have the last laugh. I promise you that. Nancy might be the hotshot lawyer but she’s always been a cow and looks like her little twinny has turned out the same. No wonder Molly and Dee are messed up having you two–’
‘Shut the fuck up, Shane, and get out. Go shag whoever it is you’ve got on the go. Give her my love and wish her the best of luck, the poor cow.’ Julia’s anger was about to bubble over and she couldn’t bear to be in his company for a minute longer.
Shane stared. Long and hard. Smirked, threw his head back and laughed then said, ‘Will do. Thanks for giving me permission. It’ll make it all the more enjoyable. Sleep well, wifey.’
He turned to leave the room but stalled when Julia threw him one more question. ‘Who is it this time, just out of curiosity, anyone I know?’
Looking her straight in the eye, Shane’s mouth twisted as he said, ‘Well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it?’
Grabbing a glass from the table Julia raised it above her head, her whole body shaking. ‘Get out. Get the fuck out of my room and my house.’
With a shake of his head, Shane did as she ordered and left as Julia rushed over and watched him descend the steep glass stairs. She was frozen to the spot, hand on the banister, breath held.
Had she done the right thing? But what choice did she have?
He’d seen the email and her plans were out there.
Her whole world was now in the palm of his hands.
He could ruin everything. The farewell party, Molly’s move to Princeton, Dee’s perception of her and Nancy.
Julia’s head was awash with it all. She grabbed the fresh bottle of wine and twisted off the lid, glad she hadn’t thrown the glass and made a mess, as one question nudged its way to the front of the queue.
Who had the upper hand now. Her, or Shane?