Page 62 of Wife After Wife

“Connor says it’s going to be the powerhouse of Europe. All sorts of investment is heading that way. Innovative new businesses, tech companies, start-ups. EU money will be sloshing about the place. So they want to be right in there, ready for when it all kicks off. And they’ve asked me to head it up. I’m going to be MD of BWG Dublin! Can you bloody believe it?” He sat back again, a huge grin on his face.

Ana looked away as she tried to interpret her feelings. Dismay. Annoyance. A sense of her destiny being messed with.

But none of the joy Percy was so obviously expecting.

“I realize it’s amassivething for us,” he continued, finally picking up her consternation. “So I said I’d need to discuss it with you first. But the money’s a lot more than I’m on now, and there’s a relocation allowance. Have you ever been to Dublin? Apparently it’s a nice city. So—”

“So no.”

“What?”

“If you take the job, I won’t be coming.”

“Why not? You’ll be my wife! It’ll be a great start to our married life.”

“And my career? What would I do while you were MD’ing all over Dublin?”

“There are magazines in Ireland. And book publishers, ad agencies. You’d find a job easily with your experience.”

“It would be a step backward for me.”

“But we’d be together, and maybe, you know, we could start a family?”

Did he understand herat all?

“Percy, I love my job here. I’m doing well at Rose, and I don’t want a family for many, many years. I don’t want to live in Dublin. I’m sorry, I really am. It does sound like a good opportunity for you.”

“It is. And if I turned it down, they’d think I wasn’t serious about my career. I probably wouldn’t get another opportunity like it.”

“So take it, and we’ll see each other at weekends. Other couples do it, we’ll manage.”

“But, Ana, that’s no way to start a marriage. I want you there with me.”

Suddenly, Ana felt very tired. “It’s your choice, Percy. Take the job and we’ll see each other at weekends, or stay here. I’m not coming.”

“Whatever happened to supportive wives?” His tone was petulant. “Come on, Ana. It’ll be fun.” Wheedling now. “A new start. Ireland’s amazing.”

“Ireland’s wet. And I don’t know anyone there.”

He pushed back his chair and came around to her side of the table. Ana recoiled slightly as he dropped to one knee. “Ana, you’re everything to me. I can’t live without you. I’m begging you, come with me to Dublin.”

“If you can’t live without me, then stay here. And please get up.”

“To be honest, I don’t think I have a choice.” He stood up, brushed the knees of his Calvin Kleins, and went back to his side of the table.

“Of course you have a choice. You can turn it down and stay in the position you’re in now, can’t you?”

“The way they presented it to me, it was like they just assumed I’d go. And—well, Iwantto. I know winning the Rose account was great, but Connor’s so... he treats me like I’m his minion. I haven’t been happy for a while.”

“Well why didn’t you say? You should have told me! Maybe you should just leave.”

“Why would I move agencies when I’ve been given this opportunity?”

“Look, obviously Connor rates you, even if he doesn’t dish out the praise. So you could just turn it down, be more assertive? Demand to stay where you are.”

Percy now looked wholly uncomfortable. “Let me think about it. I’mnot going to lie, I’m really disappointed. I thought this would be fantastic for us.”

“You weren’t to know. Look, let’s sleep on it, shall we?”