The Guilty Couple(66)
I press one, listening to the sound of Jack’s voice in my ear, then I press one again and again and again.
Chapter 48
DOMINIC
Dominic wrenches open his wardrobe door and grabs the first suit he sees. He chucks it onto the bed then yanks at the bottom drawer of his chest of drawers and takes out a packet of shirts. He throws that onto the bed too, before adding underwear, socks, T-shirts, jeans and swimming trunks. He works his way around the room, eyeing each of his possessions, weighing up their usefulness. It’s going to come as a shock to his parents to discover quite how much he’s left behind. As far as they’re concerned he’s bought a beautiful but overpriced house in Clapham Common. If he told them he’s actually moving to Dubai it would invite too many questions, questions he’s only prepared to answer once he’s safe and sound in Jumeirah. The other reason he hasn’t told them what’s really going on is because they might let something slip while his ex-wife is in earshot.
It was his idea that Esther should sit in on Olivia’s last supervised visit with Grace. Although his mother raised her eyebrows at his suggestion that she record their meeting, she did as he asked. He listened to the entire conversation but the only thing that made his ears prick up was Olivia’s announcement that she was going to meet up with Lee. Then there was a load of crap about spa days and nail appointments with Grace. If Liv thought she had a future with their daughter she certainly didn’t know about his plans.
Now, he grabs a bottle of aftershave, a hairbrush and some gel then moves into the en-suite where he picks up his toothbrush and toothpaste. He puts them back down again. He still needs to clean his teeth twice – tonight and tomorrow morning.
‘Grace!’ Still carrying his toiletries he walks across the landing and knocks on his daughter’s door. ‘Grace, are you packing?’
When there’s no reply he turns the handle.
‘Get out!’ The door slams in his face. He takes a step back, startled.
‘Grace?’ He turns the handle again but his daughter’s put the full force of her weight behind the door. ‘Grace.’ He adopts a softer tone and drops his toiletries onto the carpet. ‘Please can we talk about this instead of shouting and slamming doors?’
‘No!’
‘If you won’t talk to me how am I supposed to help?’
‘I don’t want your help. You’re a liar.’
Dominic blows out his cheeks in an exasperated sigh. Can’t one thing go right for him? Just one?
‘What have I lied about, love?’
‘Dubai,’ she screams the word. ‘It’s not a holiday, is it? We’re never going to come back.’
He stares at the white, painted wood of the door, stunned into silence. How the hell has she found out about that?
‘Whoever told you that …’ he says, fighting to keep his voice calm and controlled ‘… must be confused because it’s not true. It’s just a lovely holiday, with shopping malls, water parks and aquariums. You’ll love it.’
‘No I won’t because I’m not going.’
‘Grace, just open the door please.’
‘I want to live with Mum!’
‘That’s not going to happen.’
‘I’ll run away then.’
‘No you bloody won’t.’ Dominic pushes at the door. Grace pushes back but he’s almost twice the weight she is and one hefty shove is enough for the door to swing open.
‘Get out of my room,’ she screams up at him, hands clenched into fists at her sides, her blue eyes shining with angry tears.
Dominic steps around her and walks to the window. He pulls it shut then turns the key and slips it into his pocket.
‘What are you doing?’ Grace shoves past him to get a closer look. She stares at him in horror then turns and runs for the door.
‘If you try and run away you won’t get very far!’ Dominic calls after her. ‘Every door in the house is locked and I unplugged the landline. And don’t even think about breaking a window because they’re all double-glazed. You’re coming with me tomorrow whether you like it or not.’
‘I won’t get on the plane. I’ll scream and say you’re abducting me and the police will stop you.’
He stares down at his daughter, imagining her screaming and shouting and drawing attention to them when that’s the last thing he needs. ‘Listen to me very carefully.’ He lowers his voice and Grace stiffens, sensing the change in tone. ‘We are going on holiday tomorrow and we’ll be coming back in two weeks’ time. If you behave yourself in the airport tomorrow I’ll speak to the courts when we return to the UK and I’ll request that you live with your mother every other week.’
‘I don’t believe—’
He raises a finger, silencing his daughter. ‘However. If you cause a fuss at any point – in the airport or on the plane – I will ring my lawyer and tell him that your mother broke into this house while I was at work.’
‘What?’
‘Dani, my personal trainer, saw her breaking in and she took a photo. She’s a police officer as well, by the way. I asked her not to report your mother because, believe it or not, I don’t want her to go back to prison. I know how important it is that you get to know each other again.’