Page 182 of Wife After Wife

“Joke, Maria. Where’s bloody Aleesha?”

“She’s dropping her son off upstairs,” said Eliza.

Since Harry’s retirement, they’d turned his vast top-floor office suite into a crèche. Staff could head up there whenever they needed to, and studies were already showing increased productivity and retention of female staff.

“Have you seen today’sGuardian?” asked Terri.

“Yes. Go, us!” said Eliza. The piece—HARRY’S DAUGHTERSPIONEER NEW ERA AT ROSE—highlighted the recent policy changes at the company, which were focused on equality and ethics. The article hinted at the dawning of a golden age for women in media.

Eliza’s phone buzzed; Harry’s name flashed up on the screen.

“Hi, Dad.”

“How’s the virgin queen?”

“Stop it.” Harry still teased Eliza remorselessly about the quote in Terri’s article. “Are you still in the Lakes?” she said.

“I am, yes.”

Eliza switched her phone to speaker so Maria could hear.

“And is Clare with you?”

“Right here.”

“And... will she be coming home with you this time?”

It was Harry’s third trip to the north; on the first two Clare had told him she needed more time. Eliza’s heart was in her mouth as she waited for his reply. They all missed Clare terribly.

Harry’s words were unintelligible as a strong gust of wind obliterated his voice. It sounded as if he was en route to the South Pole.

“What, Dad? I can’t hear you.”

“I said, yes,” Harry shouted. “Clare’s coming home at last.”

“Thank God!” Eliza replied. There was another blast of wind. “That’s wonderful news. Where on earth are you?”

“On a hill. Fell. Great Cockup, actually. A metaphor for my life?”

“Honestly, Dad,” said Eliza.

“Fuck’s sake,” said Terri.