The Sister-In-Law(76)
Shame I wasn’t going to answer, I could have had more fun, but I now had enough proof that she’d dump Jamie in an instant as soon as that better offer came along. Meanwhile, she’d be so strung out waiting for the response, she might lay off me until I could find the time to chat with her – alone. Yes, I’d let her sweat, make her really want this – after all @StarsTV wouldn’t get back straight away. They’d be talking to other Instagrammers about their ‘super secret’ project too, wouldn’t they?
I watched her for the next couple of days. She was happier, her movements quicker, with purpose. I could tell she was mentally preparing to fly away from Jamie and his difficult family. I knew how this felt, because I’d also planned to leave Dan at least twice when he’d cheated. Both times I’d had this crazy idea that we could all go to my cousin in Scotland, then I’d contemplated starting a new life without Dan, by moving to a nursing job in a hospital far away. But for me it had been a daydream; my priority, my real purpose, was to keep my family. I wasn’t Ella, wandering the globe, looking for my next hook-up – I had a husband, kids, I had the Taylors. I appreciated what they’d given me. However, Ella was a different woman in a different life and from her swift response to my TV message it was clear that Ella was happy to abandon her husband for the chance to star on a TV show. She was the butterfly flapping its wings – she had no loyalty, no commitment to anyone except herself.
Two nights after she’d received the message about the TV show, we all ate together as usual, but Jamie didn’t join us – Ella explained that he had mild sunstroke.
‘Oh, I have some skin cream, and some rehydrating tablets if that would help?’ I offered.
‘Oh, Clare, you’re always playing the nurse. No. He’ll be fine,’ she said, and smirked at me. I felt so trapped, so on edge with her around, but now I had my own weapon, and I admit I was rather looking forward to using it.
So, after dinner, I suggested we both do the washing up together, and no one argued with that, including her. I think the others were a little wary, and didn’t want to get caught in any crossfire between us over the Fairy Liquid, so, after helping us clear the table, they happily let us go off to the kitchen to wash up and hopefully work things out. I couldn’t wait.
‘Are you okay?’ I said to Ella, once we’d filled the sink with hot, soapy water and immersed the first load of pots.
‘I am more than okay, Clare,’ she said, and I could just tell she was dying to tell someone her news.
‘You seem very happy,’ I pushed a little.
‘That’s because I am.’
As tempting as it was, I couldn’t make this go on any longer. I wasn’t doing it to get kicks. ‘I have something to tell you,’ I started. ‘It’s about the message you received from the TV company the other day.’
She looked at me suspiciously. ‘What message?’
‘Stars TV… the new “super secret” project? A cross between Love Island and The Bachelor?’
She turned to look at me. ‘How… how do you know about that? Oh. My. God. Clare, have you been reading my messages? Wow, you’re even sadder than I thought.’ She threw down the tea towel she’d been holding.
I shook my head. ‘No, I’m really not that interested in your messages.’
‘Liar. How do you know then?’
‘Because I sent it.’
‘What the hell?’ Her mouth fell open, she couldn’t take in what I’d said.
‘Wow’ was all she kept saying over and over. I don’t think I’d ever seen anyone so shocked; she hadn’t suspected a thing. She was looking at me, just shaking her head. ‘How could you, Clare?’ She was about to cry.
‘Look, Ella, I just… had to do something. You know everything about me, you’re constantly threatening to tell – and now I have a hold over you. I just couldn’t work out if you’d fallen for Jamie – turns out you hadn’t.’
‘You bitch.’
She was leaning on the kitchen counter, angry, but most of all devastated that the offer wasn’t real.
‘You sent me a message stating that you’re single, no commitments and ready to go anywhere at any time.’
‘Yeah… because I thought it was from…’
‘I know, and I shouldn’t be meddling in your career, it’s none of my business. But you shouldn’t be meddling in my life either – and what happened three years ago between me and Jamie is none of your business… Do you see where I’m going here?’
She just stared. I could feel her hate, like a solid block between us.
‘So, if you keep what you know to yourself and don’t tell Dan – then I’ll keep what I know to myself and I won’t show Jamie the messages you sent stating how single you are and how you’re up for anything, with anyone, for your little slice of fame,’ I explained.
She rolled her eyes like a petulant teenager being lectured by her mother – but I saw the pain and disappointment in those eyes. It was so stark, I almost felt sorry for her. ‘You’ve played the bride, the newlywed, you’ve enjoyed a free holiday and completely beguiled Jamie and his family,’ I continued. ‘Then, as soon as something better comes along, you’re ready to dump him, prepared to end your marriage without a second thought.’