Page 78 of Wife After Wife

“So... back to us?”

“Right, yes. We’ll need to work out how and when to let people know. Thank god Megan and Charles have been discreet.”

“I need to tell my parents, because of the wedding.”

“Good, yes. Do that. Build me up.”

“Mum’s already a fan.” But Ana wondered how much her mother knew about what had happened to Merry.

At last, Harry walked around to where she sat. She looked up at him, and he stroked her cheek, cupped her chin. “We’ll be together soon,” he said, and bent down to kiss her.

It was like an electric shock. Fighting the desire, she pulled away. “Publicly. As a couple.”

“Right.” He frowned slightly.

“I’ve given up a lot for this relationship,” she said. “I don’t want people thinking I’m just another notch on Harry Rose’s bedpost.” She stood up, and in her Manolo Blahniks, her eyes were almost level with his. “I should go, before your... typist gets suspicious.”

“Be nice to Janette. She’s a sweet thing, and useful to have onside.”

Ana gave a small laugh.

Harry walked over to the door and opened it. “Thanks, Ana,” he said, loudly enough for his secretary to hear. “I’ll see what I can do.”

She left, feeling the twin lasers of Janette’s eyes sear her back.

CHAPTER 26

Harry

December 1993

The house was sold, and Katie and Maria had gone to Wales. His lawyer, Tom Wolston, advised not making a fuss if Harry wanted to see his daughter regularly.

Saying goodbye had been surprisingly painful. Cassandra had been giving Katie “counseling,” though she had precisely no qualifications in that area. Frankly, Harry couldn’t stand this new version of Cassandra. What was it with people who’d been through rehab and felt the need to evangelize their newfound knowledge of how to cope with life? Now Katie had been sucked into the whole ridiculous nonsense, talking about divesting herself of Harry’s “negative influence” and their “toxic relationship.”

While Harry would always remember Katie fondly, she was trying not to remember him at all.

From one problem woman to another. Harry had needed to talk to Merry about the South Ken flat. She’d been almost incoherent, alternately shrieking and crying, telling him he’d ruined her life and she’d make him pay. He’d put the phone down and told Wolston to speak to her on his behalf.

Now, it was only a matter of time before word spread about his split with Katie. He needed to preempt the gossip. Tonight was the office Christmas party, the time when tittle-tattle turned exponential. Tonight he’d bite the bullet.

He beckoned Janette into his office and asked her to shut the door. She looked surprised, and not a little excited.

“Janette, I know I can rely on your discretion.”

“Of course, Harry.” The seriousness of her expression was rather touching.

“Katie and I... we’re separating. Perhaps you already know.”

“I don’t listen to office gossip, Harry. But I’m very sorry to hear that.”

“We’ve sold the house, and I’ll be living in town. There will be gossip, of course, about the reason for our separation. It’s an irretrievable breakdown caused by Katie’s ongoing battle with depression, which I’m no longer able to help with. It’s amicable.”

“Gosh, Harry, I’m sure you’ve done your best to make her happy. These things are always sad, but if you’re making each other miserable, well...”

“Quite. Thank you, Janette.”

It was a dismissal, but she didn’t hear it that way.