‘What did Andrew make of this?’ Kate asked, eyes twinkling with humour.
‘We didn’t get a chance to talk about it as the children were there and another teacher walked out with us because they wanted more information on Springwell. All he said was, “Why don’t you keep this, Ms Emsworth, to remind you of your time here today?”.’ His eyes had met mine when he said it, sending a shiver up my spine.
‘And you haven’t made any more plans to see each other?’
‘No, but he has lots on at the moment: parents’ evenings, school trips, and sports days. The summer term is busy.’ I shrugged. My phone buzzed on the counter: it was Megan.
Sam and I are going out (it’s not a date but I’m *sort of* treating it as one). There’s an official-looking letter addressed to you on the kitchen table – looks a bit legalish. M xx
‘Looks like I’m about to find out whether or not James has disputed the divorce proceedings,’ I said, showing Kate the text.
‘Do you think he would have?’
‘I honestly don’t know. He’s been against me leaving and practically begs me to stay with him when I see him. He might do.’ My chest tightened at the thought. The whole situation was his doing. Surely he owes me this one ray of light at the end of the tunnel?
‘He owes you!’ Kate said, as if she were reading my mind.
‘I think I’m going to go – I can’t relax knowing the envelope is sat there waiting. Thanks for dinner.’ I stood up, stuffing my phone into my bag.
‘You’ve not even eaten it yet! It’s still in the oven.’
‘I know, I’m so sorry.’ I kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug.
‘It’s fine. I made it myself so it’s probably inedible. At least take a bread roll – they’re fresh from the bakery.’
‘I suppose I don’t have to worry about being bloated any more, do I?’ I patted my stomach and took a fresh roll from the basket on my way out.
When I got back to Megan’s house, I made a beeline for the table in the kitchen. Megan had propped the thick, white envelope up against the fruit bowl to make sure I saw it. Sitting down, I slowly slid my nail along the seal and pulled out the documents.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The decree nisi would be on the twenty-eighth of August. There had been no disputes filed, which gave me a sense of relief – it was the second decent thing James had done in a while, and to be honest, I’d half expected Frances to forbid him from divorcing me and for it all to get quite messy. I sipped my decaf coffee and read over the documents again, just to check I’d read them right the previous evening. It was really happening, and like so many other women in our circle, I was getting a divorce.
Sadness should have engulfed me, but it didn’t. James wasn’t the man I thought he was, and that had shocked me. I didn’t even wonder how he could hurt me like that or why he would do it because the man I’d thought he was wouldn’t. It was as simple as that: my version of James was made up, and I didn’t have time to think about the how and why. I had my baby to focus on – someone so precious that actually deserved my love.
I heard the door slam. ‘Only me,’ Megan shouted from the hallway. ‘I have a few hours before my next appointment so thought I’d see how you were doing.’ She gestured to the paperwork before me as she entered the room.
‘I’m okay.’ My reply was genuine, and Megan nodded like she believed me.
‘Good! Well if you fancy a giggle, you should check out my new car,’ she said.
I followed her to the front door. Sitting proudly on the driveway was Mike’s unicorn-emblazoned Merc. ‘It’s yours?’ I said, confused.
‘He’s taken my Mini since his mates had ribbed him so much about it he thought even if it was resprayed it would forever be known as Mike’s unicorn car. Better start making the repayments again before they come and tow it.’ She winked. ‘I thought about having it resprayed myself but then again, I actually quite like it! Maybe I’ll even get my business name and number put on and Mike’s name covered up since it attracts so many double-takes.’
I smiled at her glass-half-full approach. ‘Well, I think that’s a great idea.’
***
The next day, I received a text from Andrew.
Sorry for the delay in texting – parents’ evening was manic and I’ve started my end-of-year reports. Anyway, I won’t bore you with the details but wanted to say a huge thanks for coming in on Monday. I’ve got a much more sympathetic class who have suddenly developed an overwhelming sense of compassion – so thank you. Skye hasn’t stopped asking when you’ll be in again – the class loved you! Andrew x
The tension in my cheeks became noticeable, and I relaxed my grin to relieve the ache. He’s put a kiss on the end. My only wish was that I had an excuse to go back, but I didn’t.
Any time! I really enjoyed it and I’m really glad the kids liked me. Perhaps I won’t be awful at this single-mummy lark after all. X
My phone beeped a second later.
Awful? Definitely not! You’ll be great. x
I had no excuse to text back and felt slightly deflated about that fact. I couldn’t read Andrew since we became ‘friends’. At least on the dating site his intentions were clear, and flirting was expected. My mind niggled with the fact there could have been something between us if we’d met under different circumstances. As much as his friendship was all I needed, I couldn’t deny the attraction I had to him.
I analysed his last message again. Was
