Conviction(44)
“Did you tell your lawyer that he’s here?” Maria asks.
“Yeah, he said I’m not to be alone with him and if he starts anything to call the police immediately.”
“Would he start anything though, in such a public place?” Donna asks.
Under Nathaniel’s advice, I’ve informed all my staff that Marcus and I are divorcing, but I’ve also informed our managers that things are a little tense and that they are to call either one of us if he ever turns up at any of the salons causing trouble. Despite his actions toward me, then toward Sophie in the park, I’m actually not expecting any trouble from him. He’s a highly sought after corporate lawyer, there’s no way he would risk his career just to make my life difficult. In the eight years we’ve been married, Marcus has never behaved like he did last Friday night and I’m really not expecting him to again.
“No, I don’t think he would, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
We order some food and try to enjoy the rest of our evening. I move my chair so I’m no longer directly facing the bar and try my best to ignore the fact that my soon to be ex is here.
Sophie is doing her best to convince me to go with her to the Triple M event tomorrow, but I’m not sure if I fancy it. I was expecting to be spending this weekend in York, trying to get pregnant. I shake my head at that thought. Just a week ago, I was considering having a child with Marcus. Today, the thought of his hands anywhere near me, makes the hairs on my neck stand on end and my stomach roil. Unconsciously, I turn my head toward the bar and see that he and my brother are talking to two women. I turn my head quickly away, not because the thought of him with another woman bothers me, because it honestly doesn’t, but because I just don’t want to give him the pleasure of thinking that I care, which he will if he catches me staring.
“Just ignore them, Neen. He’s doing it to try and piss you off. He’s a f*cking child.”
“I’m fine. I pity the poor girl, to be honest.” It hurts a little bit, but I won’t tell anyone that.
Over the next couple of hours, Marcus and my brother totally ignore me while Sophie convinces me that I most definitely, will indeed, be going to tomorrow's Triple M event.
The four of us leave together. Despite the fact that we only live across the road, Maria and Donna refuse to let us walk alone.
As we pass my brother and Marcus at the bar, Pearce steps in front of my path, in a well-executed move that everyone except Sophie, because our arms are linked, would fail to notice.
Marcus says into my ear, “If you seriously think this is over, that I’ll just walk away without a fight, then you’re sorely mistaken. I thought you knew me better than that Nina, but then you always were a stupid little cunt. We’re not over until I say we are. You’d do well to remember that.”
I don’t flinch at his words. I should, he’s never called me a name like that before. Right now, all I feel is justified in seeking a divorce. Fuelled by the conviction of my actions, I look from him to my brother.
“Not capable of confronting me on your own, Marcus? Feel the need to bring a sidekick to bully me? Well, sorry, you don’t scare me. You know why? Because I’ve got Sophie and she’s got bigger balls than either of you two. Now f*ck off out of my way. Oh, and you’ll be hearing from my lawyer about this. He’s already been in touch with the manager of this place and asked him to keep his cameras on you all night. You know, just in case you decided to once again behave like a prick. Marcus, it really is boring how predictable you are.”
I have no idea where the words come from, but there they are. It just so happens that we do know Mike the owner really well and he does just happen to be standing at the bar looking over at me and Soph. I smile my best smile at him, just as Marcus turns his head to follow my gaze. Mike winks and nods his head. Marcus steps a little closer to me, I step back.
“Get the f*ck away from her, nobjockey, else I will call the police,” Sophie says through gritted teeth.
“Marcus, what’s going on?” the girl that’s been hanging off my husband all night asks.
She’s tall and lean with sharp features, nothing like me whatsoever. I wonder for a moment if she’s more his type? If perhaps this is the type of woman he should’ve married? If this is the type of woman he might want to have sex with more than once every couple of months, because she is the complete opposite of me?
“Hey,” I say cheerily, “My name’s Nina. I’m Pearce’s sister. He blackmailed me into marrying Marcus here about eight years ago. Sadly, for a number of reasons, one of them being that Marcus can’t get it up more than once every eight weeks, he was served with divorce papers today, so all being well, he’ll be all yours in about eight weeks. Good luck with that.”
She stands looking at me, mouth hanging open until Sophie steps forward and using her index and middle fingers, lifts the woman’s bottom jaw up to meet her top.
“And might I suggest,” Sophie says sweetly, “you either stock up on Viagra or invest in a f*cking good vibrator, because if you’re relying on lil’ ol’ limp dick here, you’re gonna be left severely frustrated. Just like my girl Neen has been for the last eight years.” She winks at the girl, looks down at my brother, who’s a good five inches shorter than her and says, “Fuck off outta my way and get back to the Shire, ya Hobbit.”