Page 95 of Wife After Wife

Ana didn’t know what to say. Katie—fragile, boring, mouse-wifeKatie—was in fact strong, self-assured Katie. And somehow, she was on Ana’s side.

Katie smiled at Ana’s confusion. “Does he still eat toast loudly in front of the late-night news?”

Ana laughed and nodded. For the first time that day, she felt herself relax.

There was the sound of flushing, and Maria reappeared.

“Maria, come and meet Ana. Wash your hands first, though.”

The little girl looked up at her.

“You look so pretty,” said Ana. “Did you like being a bridesmaid?”

“No,” said Maria. “And this dress is silly.”

The door opened and Cassandra came in. “Oh, hello, you two.” She raised her eyebrows at Katie.

“Cassandra, you remember Ana?”

“Of course. How’re you coping with Harry? God, I was always a bit jealous of Katie, Harry was so bloody gorgeous. Shame the rotten cad couldn’t keep it in his pants, though.”

“Cass!” said Katie. “Maria, why don’t you go and find Arabella and Milly.”

“Sorry,” said Cassandra. “I’ve had a drink and I’m not used to it! No, Ana, don’t worry. I can have the odd one now without getting blotto. It was the toxic marriage that was doing me in, not the booze. Gosh, that suit’s magnificent. Not much call for Chanel in Wales, though. So anyway, you and Harry—how’s that going?”

As Ana looked at the two women, she felt something shift inside. She wasn’t wary of them anymore, and felt a sudden compulsion to blurt out all her problems and frustrations, the way she used to with Merry, or Megan, before her relationship with Harry had made those heart-to-hearts a thing of the past.

“You two... I can understand why you went off to Wales. You’re lucky to have each other.”

“You want to visit? Better than spending time worrying what Harry’s up to!”

“Calm down, Cassandra,” said Katie. “Ana’s being very patient, waiting for Harry. I’m sure it’s difficult enough for her already, without you making insinuations.”

“Leopards and spots, Katie.”

“But what about Charles?” said Ana. “He’s changed his spots, hasn’t he? If you don’t mind me saying that?”

“We’ll see,” said Cassandra.

Ana thought about the two friends as she made her way back to the reception room. They’d built their lives around men who’d let them down. Now they’d moved on and were making new lives on their own terms.

Ana should be stronger, more like them. She needed to take charge. She’d waited around long enough.

CHAPTER 30

Harry

September 1996

Harry flicked through theTimesas he sipped his first coffee of the working day. There was more fallout from the Charles and Diana divorce, now finalized after four years of separation.

Divorce, divorce, divorce. Harry couldn’t escape the topic. This year’s also included the Duke and Duchess of York—but not Harry and Katie Rose.

Tom Wolston had let him down. After Ana had ramped up the pressure, Harry tasked the lawyer with finding a loophole. He’d failed. There was simply no way, Tom said, if Katie contested the divorce. They would have to wait another two years, at least.

Ana was furious, pushing Harry to sack Wolston and find someone who could bend the law to Harry’s will. Perhaps he should. The faithful old lawyer had been with Rose for years, his understated, old-school manner masking his ability to deal ruthlessly and efficiently with anyone who stood in Harry’s way. But this time, Wolston seemed to be mixing up legal technicalities with the importance of doing as he was told.

Harry took another sip of his coffee.