The Passengers(74)
Maintaining two houses, two wives and four children could not have been easy for Sam. So she was going to see what happened when she piled more pressure upon him in a series of different ways.
She began gradually, first by setting him up on extramarital affair dating apps and websites with fake profiles but using his real contact details. And as the calls and emails came thick and fast, she viewed in quiet amusement as he squirmed each time his phone rang or a new message arrived. Eventually he kept his phone switched off when he was at home. She was sure to include the locations of Halifax, Sheffield, Dunstable and Luton – it meant someone out there knew of his secret.
Next, and knowing exactly how much money he was siphoning from his accounts to his second family, she upped the ante by making her own financial demands. A request for a new high-spec kitchen with all the fixtures and fittings was followed by suggestions for a replacement bathroom then quotes for a new conservatory. She revelled in Sam’s awkwardness as he became tongue-tied making up excuses as to why they didn’t have the available funds to afford them.
The more discomfort she saw him in, the more pressure she would heap upon him. And while her demands made for a promising start, it didn’t come close to the hurt she felt. Heidi had to up the ante by really hitting him in the pocket. She wanted to know just how far he was willing to go to keep hold of his secrets. She would blackmail him.
She plucked a figure out of thin air – a ridiculously large sum of ￡100,000. He didn’t have that kind of money readily available but it was going to be enjoyable imagining him squirm via email. And she spaced her demands a week apart to maximise the discomfort. It was only when he agreed to the preposterous figure that she sat back in her chair and took a deep breath. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her from discovering his lies.
But in the days leading up to the cash handover, there was one last thing on her ‘to complete’ list before bringing her campaign to a close. She wanted to see her husband’s wife in the flesh.
Heidi’s car pulled up against the kerb on the opposite side of the road to Josie’s house. It was a home not too dissimilar to her own. Same kids names, similar-looking wives, same house … at least he’s consistent, she thought. She remained in her vehicle watching from a distance as, one by one, Sam’s second family left. First came his son when friends came to call, then his daughter who left on a motorised scooter. There were more than passing resemblances to her own children. Finally, Josie appeared. Heidi turned on the privacy windows and watched intently as her opponent passed the car.
Suddenly, a fleeting glimpse of the enemy wasn’t enough. Heidi needed more. Without thinking, she began following her by foot, trailing her for twenty minutes before reaching the grounds of Calderdale Royal Hospital. As Josie entered the doors to the Breast Screening unit, an awkward Heidi hesitated outside. Her head told her to abandon this fool’s errand and return home, but her heart demanded she stayed. She listened to the latter until almost an hour later, when Josie eventually reappeared.
Immediately Heidi noticed the paleness of the woman’s skin, the redness in her eyes and the sweat patches on the underarms of her top. Josie hurried along the corridor towards the exit as if being chased. But she hadn’t shut her handbag properly and, in her haste, it slipped down her arm and the contents poured across the floor. As Josie crouched to pick them up, Heidi broke her cover to assist.
‘Thank you,’ said Josie and then burst into tears.
‘Are you okay?’ Heidi asked hesitantly. Josie shook her head.
Behind her, Heidi spotted a café. ‘Let’s sit down,’ she said, and helped Josie back to her feet.
What the hell are you doing? Heidi asked herself as she returned from the counter with two cups of tea. This isn’t part of the plan!
‘I’m sorry,’ offered Josie and blew her nose into a tissue.
‘Have you had some bad news?’
Josie nodded and spoke quietly. ‘I received some test results that … weren’t good.’
‘Is it treatable?’
‘It’s one grade away from being the most serious cancer. The specialist said they need to test if it’s a secondary tumour that’s spread from elsewhere before they start treatment. I need to come back for more scans.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Heidi replied, and to her surprise, she meant it.
‘It’s just come as such a shock,’ Josie continued. ‘I lost my sister to it so I can’t help but think the worst.’ She buried her head in her hands and cried again. Without thinking, Heidi reached out to hold Josie’s hand. Josie grasped it firmly and the two women remained in a contemplative quiet.
‘You must think I’m mad unloading my problems on a complete stranger,’ Josie said eventually.
‘Not at all. Do you … do you have a family who can support you?’ Heidi asked.
‘Yes, my husband and two kids.’
Heidi bristled at her use of the word ‘husband’. ‘Does he know?’
‘No. He works away from home a lot and I’d rather tell him about it in person but I don’t know how to. He’s been under so much pressure at work lately, he’s not eating or sleeping properly and I don’t want to make things any worse for him.’
Heidi knew she was likely to blame for his angst and suddenly, revenge didn’t taste so sweet. ‘Is he a good man?’ she asked.