Page 117 of Wife After Wife

For Ana, still mourning the loss of her child, this was turning out to be the year from hell. She said as much to Terri as she filled her in on recent events over their regular lunch.

Harry had come home. He was on crutches and, apart from the daily cleaning lady, was alone in the house for most of the day—Tegan now only babysat Eliza after school. With Charles and Megan’s help, Ana hadturned the dining room into a bedroom-office, and Harry was spending some of the time working. But he was still in pain, grew tired quickly, and as a result was in a constant bad temper.

“I know I’m being impatient with him,” Ana said, “but I can’t move past thinking this is all his own fault.”

“You have to make allowances for boys, ’cause they’re generally rubbish. That especially applies to overprivileged upper-class arsehole boys.”

Ana laughed. “It’s amazing you’ve worked for him this long, considering you’ve never liked him—have you?”

“Strangely, I’m fond of the old bugger. Couldn’t stand him that first time I interviewed him, but there’s something about Harry. Go easy on him, Ana. He’s been a twat, but I think he’s probably paid the price.”

Ana mulled over Terri’s words as they paid the bill and left. If Terri, who hated almost everyone, was speaking up for Harry, maybe it was indeed time for a little forgiveness. Blaming him for the loss of her baby was perhaps unfair. It had been his baby, too, and he’d been so excited.

She stopped in the street, causing a man following close behind to bump into her. He harrumphed, then as she turned to apologize, his eyes widened. “Sorry, my fault!”

She smiled. She still had it. And maybe it was time to give it back to Harry. She hailed a cab to take her home.

Fifteen minutes later she was opening the door to Harry’s bedroom—quietly, just a crack, in case he was asleep.

He wasn’t. Harry was seated in his armchair, his bad leg resting on a footstool. And on his lap was Janette, her head tucked into his shoulder. He was stroking her hair, and they were talking quietly.

CHAPTER 36

Harry

Harry, do you think, when you’re better, we might still be able to...” said Janette, snuggling into his chest.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. For now I’m just trying to get through the days. And you’re making those days bearable. But we need to be careful. What time is it?”

Janette looked at her watch. “Two thirty. I should go.” She kissed him, then stood up and smoothed down her dress. “Bye, Harry darling. Take care.”

He closed his eyes. Janette’s visits were the only thing that made him forget about the pain. His prescription medication just wasn’t doing it anymore. He’d talk to the doctor about upping it again. He couldn’t go on like this.

There were voices in the hall. Janette’s voice, and... Ana?

“Get out of my house, you stupid moronic slut!”

“We were... it was work. Harry dictates letters—”

“Howdareyou insult my intelligence. Out!”

“But—”

“OUT!”

The front door slammed.

Oh god. What had Ana seen?

She came in and stood facing him, her eyes black flints.

“Ana?”

“You know what, Harry? You’ve beeninsufferablesince your accident. You sit there feeling sorry for yourself while I work, run the house, organize Eliza, try and recover from my own loss, and all you can do is moan about something you brought upon yourself. And I was stupid enough to listen to Terri—she told me I should have a bit more sympathy. So I decided to come home and spend the afternoon with you. And who do I find has got here first? Jockey Janette, the secretary from Slutsville.”

“Ana, I... we didn’t—”

“Shut up, Harry. I don’t care whether you did or didn’t. When was the last time you held me like that?” Her voice broke, and he saw her tears. “We’re done. Finished. It really is over this time. I want you to leave. And don’t hobble after me on your stupid crutches, because I might just kick them out from underneath you. I’m taking Eliza to see the Harry Potter movie tonight. You can look after yourself.”