Page 70 of Back in the Saddle

“Hi, Ciaron.”

“Thanks for bringing the kids, Audrey. This is my wife, Taylor.”

He’d called me his wife. I glowed. I wanted to hug him. Anyone would think I was a lovesick teenager.

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“Thanks, you too.” She smiled. “What time do you want me to pick them up?”

“Eleven would be great. You’re welcome to stay,” Ciaron said.

“Thanks. I have a date with a book. My husband is away and without the kids in the house, I might get some peace.”

“Enjoy,” I said before she left. “I can’t remember the last time I read a book.”

Some other staff arrived and wished Isabelle happy birthday. They milled around, talking to each other. Before Ciaron and I could join Mum, Dan and Mary, I got a text.

“Pizzas will be here in ten,” I said.

Ciaron nodded. “I’ll let Callum know he’ll be needed soon to help me pick them up at the gate.”

I started walking to the others. Before I reached them, Mary cut me off. My stomach sank. I glanced at Ciaron. He was busy talking.

“I thought something was up,” she said. “You can stop pretending now.”

“We’re not pretending.”

She moved around and I was compelled to follow her, meaning I couldn’t see Ciaron anymore. I couldn’t make eye contact with him and ask him to save me. Why didn’t he say something to her when he had the chance? Now I had to put up with her shit.

“Ciaron won’t save you.” How did she always know what I was thinking? Her coy smile made my stomach reel. “You couldn’t hold his interest after all.”

Our sex said otherwise.

I kept my mouth shut. She knew I wouldn’t fight back. I didn’t want Ciaron to have to choose.

“Do you really think you can win him back after you hurt him so bad?”

Had Ciaron told her? Surely not. I clenched my teeth, and she saw it. She knew in that moment that I blamed myself. She could always read me, and I hated it. I wiped my sweaty palms against my legs.

But it wasn’t just my fault, I reminded myself. Ciaron had lost his way in the marriage, too. Jeez, imagine if I said that to her. I clamped my mouth shut.

“Did you get back together to spite me?”

I swallowed. It was better not to engage. Especially tonight at Isabelle’s party, in front of everyone. If I started, I might not stop. I started to walk away, but she grasped my arm and reached out and tapped my cheek. I cringed. “Oh Taylor. A mother’s love always wins. I have a week left. Hewillcome home with me.”

I shook my head. “He won’t leave Isabelle and Callum.”

“Maybe not, but he will leaveyou.”

She laughed, pretending we’d had a lovely talk together, and went over to Isabelle and her friends.

I was left all alone, trying to control my racing heart and erratic breathing. Ciaron was gone. Why had he left me alone with her? Because I never told him what she was really like, that’s why. Fuck me dead. This, what happened tonight, proved my suspicions. She hadn’t changed.

I went over to Mum, Dan, Rachel and Curtis and tried to join their conversation. But I couldn’t concentrate.

Ciaron and Callum came back with the pizzas. I went to help open the boxes and lay them on the table.

“What were you and Mam talking about?” Ciaron asked.

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