Page 63 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

‘Not well.’

‘Did you tell her, though, that she doesn’t need to worry ’cos I’ve got plenty more irons in the fire? We’ll be back on our feet again in no time.’

Caitlin stared into the dying flames without answering. Stuart was in denial about everything – the extent of his gambling problem, the loss of their home, the effect his actions were having on his wife and daughter.

‘Cait, are you still there? Not now, obviously, but we’ll need to sort out some stuff when I’m back from this conference. When are you going to be back in London?’

‘I’m not sure I am coming back to London,’ said Caitlin, feeling strangely disconnected from her words.

Stuart gave a snort of disbelief. ‘Of course you are. You can’t wait to be out of that sleepy village and back in town. I know things are difficult, and I’m sorry about that. You know how sorry I am, but once we get the blokes we owe money to off our backs, we can find somewhere else to live.’

‘The blokes we owe money to?’

‘All right. There’s no need to rub it in. I know I’m the one who’s messed up big time, but we can always move in with my parents or Ray for a while.’

‘Your parents won’t want the upheaval and your brother lives in a one-bedroom flat miles from Maisie’s school.’

‘I know it’s not ideal, but it’ll do until we get ourselves sorted out. Ray’s is the best bet and he’s on board with the plan.’

‘I’m not going to live at Ray’s.’

‘We won’t be living at Ray’s. We’ll only be stopping there for a while until everything’s back on track.’

‘I’ve already told you. I’m not coming back, because you lied to me.’

‘Hang on a minute. Let me find somewhere quiet.’ The background buzz began to fade as Stuart moved away from the party. ‘Look, I know I told a few fibs, and I’ve apologised again and again. But gambling’s an addiction. I couldn’t help it.’

‘Have you rung that number I gave you, to try and get some support?’

He sniffed. ‘Not yet, but I will, I promise, when I’m not so busy. I just want things to go back to the way they were. We don’t need a posh house to be happy together.’

‘No, we don’t. But we do need trust.’ Caitlin’s calm had vanished. ‘I’m so angry with you for losing the house. I’m furious that you were so reckless with Maisie’s happiness and future. But I reckon I could get over that. It would take a while but it’s only bricks and mortar at the end of the day.’

‘Exactly.’

Caitlin tensed, trying to stop her body from shaking. She was about to blow up her life. Once she said the words there was no going back. But who was she kidding? Her life was in pieces anyway. She screwed her eyes shut and pressed the red button.

‘What I can’t get over is Chiara. I know about the two of you. For goodness’ sake, she must be young enough to be your daughter. Are you sharing a room in Gran Canaria? Holding hands under the conference table and kissing on the beach?’ When a silence stretched down the line, Caitlin’s head began to swim.

‘Did Maisie tell you?’ said Stuart at last.

Caitlin opened her eyes, feeling sick with disappointment. A part of her had wanted her husband to deny it, to say that Maisie had made a huge mistake, to make her believe that he hadn’t betrayed her. But Maisie had been right all along, as Caitlin had known in her heart that she was.

‘Is that how you found out?’ demanded Stuart.

‘Don’t blame Maisie. She thought I knew already, and it wasn’t fair to ask her to keep such a big secret.’

‘I only got Maisie involved because I was scared of losing you. You have to believe me.’

Caitlin shook her head. ‘The trouble is, I don’t believe you, Stuart. Not any more. First, you lied about money, all the time, and now I find out that you’re having an affair.’

‘Affair is a big word,’ muttered Stuart as if he didn’t want to be overheard. ‘It’s not like that.’

‘You’re with Chiara in Gran Canaria right now, so are you telling me there’s nothing going on while you’re both away together?’

‘You’re reading this all wrong,’ said Stuart, but the slight hesitation before he spoke, and the trace of guilt in his voice told Caitlin everything she needed to know. Her marriage was over.

‘Let me know when you’re back at Ray’s so Maisie can come and join you,’ she said, her voice flat as the realisation hit her that the life she’d wanted so much had turned out to be a sham. ‘I’ll look into how she can get to school. Maybe if she takes a couple of buses, or the Tube and a bus, it might work. I don’t know.’

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