The Marriage Act(83)

‘What I said to you before about Jeffrey.’

Jeffrey’s eyes widened. He had missed that conversation.

‘While I’m gone, keep your guard up,’ Noah continued.

‘You’re being paranoid.’

‘We’ll know soon enough, won’t we?’

Jeffrey heard no more as both men began to whisper. And by the time Noah closed the front door behind him and Luca returned to the lounge, Jeffrey was trying to mask his frustration by pretending to type notes.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked.

‘I’m fine.’

‘I assume Noah’s decision has caught you off-guard, but it might be a good thing for you both to have some time apart. It will also allow you to process what we’ve been discussing. And I’m here to help in any way.’

Luca opened the doors and entered the garden alone. Whatever it was that Noah had whispered was echoing. Now Jeffrey had to remind him that he had his best interests at heart.

‘Are you okay with Noah leaving you?’ he asked as he followed.

‘He hasn’t left me,’ Luca hit back. ‘You heard him. He needs to get his head together.’

‘Where will he be staying?’

‘With his friend Frank.’

‘I recognize the name; isn’t he an ex-partner?’

‘They dated for a couple of months but that was years ago.’

‘Oh, okay. Well, it’s great that you have that level of trust in one another. Not every couple I’ve worked with does.’

‘Noah would never cheat on me.’

‘I suppose you could argue that by Noah inviting other people into your bedroom as he has done, he’s already blurred the boundaries of monogamy and might not define cheating in the same way you do.’

‘He wouldn’t cheat.’

‘Look, you’ve both reached a transitional stage in your relationship. It could go either way. But it takes both partners to fight to keep it together, not just one. If Noah is already thinking of checking out of the relationship, then there is very little that the other can do to prevent it.’

‘Why would you say he was thinking of checking out?’

Jeffrey exaggerated wrestling with his conscience. ‘I had planned to discuss this in today’s session before Noah left. But now you’ve told me he’s staying with a former boyfriend, I think it’s important you’re made aware that he’s been researching divorce proceedings.’

Luca faltered. ‘How do you know that?’

‘I have access to his work account and browser. He has clicked or bookmarked twenty-four separate divorce-related pages – including what happens if you have a new partner lined up before you leave a marriage.’ Jeffrey turned his tablet around to show a screengrab of Noah’s search history. ‘He has also been emailing colleagues asking for local divorce lawyer recommendations. I can’t confirm how many he has approached yet.’

Luca ran his hands though his hair then pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Could you find somewhere else to stay tonight please, Jeffrey?’ he asked.

Jeffrey paled. ‘Err, yes, yes, of course, if that’s what you want. But I think it might be beneficial if you have someone around to talk to—’

‘I don’t.’

Luca left the garden and made his way back up the stairs until Jeffrey heard his bedroom door close. Jeffrey remained rooted, replaying their conversation to pinpoint the moment he’d misread Luca so badly. Leaving him alone had not been part of his divide-and-conquer plan.





66


Corrine




Corrine stared through a double set of glass doors leading to a balcony and out towards the River Nene. She glanced at her watch; it was almost 10.30 a.m. Last night’s sleep had been fitful. Each time she awoke, she replayed her confrontation with Mitchell and Maisy at the Family Court and his parting shot. Even in the midst of a divorce weighted heavily against him, he had found a way to conquer and control her. He had given her one day to make a decision. And there were a little under four hours left.

She took up a position on one of two adjacent sofas and took in her surroundings. There wasn’t time for that the last time she was here. The former Carlsberg Brewery dated back to the 1970s and, in its conversion into apartments, builders had retained its original exposed concrete finish, metal beams and joists. The walls were decorated with brightly coloured abstract canvases. But there were no family photographs, anywhere.

A pair of heels clicking against the metal staircase leading up to the front door caught her attention. She heard a beeping as someone input a code before opening the door. Corrine steeled herself.

Member of Parliament Eleanor Harrison was oblivious to the woman who had broken into her flat. Corrine watched her carefully as she placed an overnight bag on the floor before unstrapping her shoes and lining them up neatly next to it. Only then did Harrison turn, letting out a shrill scream when she spotted her uninvited guest.

‘Do you remember me?’ asked Corrine calmly.

Harrison didn’t wait for an explanation. She turned and ran barefoot towards the front door.

Corrine raised her voice. ‘I was here the night you claim you were attacked.’

Harrison stopped.

‘I know what really happened.’