Page 34 of The Book of Irish Secrets
‘I often wondered why you never said anything.’
‘I often wondered why we got married at all,’ Claire countered.
‘We fell in love and got married within a few months,’ Hugh stated. ‘Marry in haste and all that.’
‘We rushed it,’ Claire said. ‘For some romantic notion or other. But then it went sour very quickly when we discovered things about each other we didn’t like. I kept it going because of a sense of duty. I felt we had promised to love each other for better or worse and we should keep that promise.’
‘And you were waiting for the “better” bit to start?’ Hugh quipped. ‘But it was getting worse and worse, so I decided to leave.’
‘Yes, which was brave of you.’ Claire smiled at him, feeling she actually liked him a little better now that they were being honest. ‘Except it came as a bit of a shock, to be honest. You could have told me and we could have said goodbye asfriends. But instead you ran away, just leaving that note on the mantelpiece.’
Hugh looked suddenly contrite. ‘Yeah, I know. I behaved like a coward. But I just couldn’t face an argument and then Finola would have got involved. The two of you had become so close, which felt weird.’ He stopped as the waitress reappeared with the coffee and a fresh cup of tea for Claire. ‘Thanks,’ he said and turned back to Claire. ‘So anyway, let’s not worry about the past and look forward.’
Claire nodded, sipping her tea. ‘Of course. So… the house. I suppose that’s what you’ve come to talk to me about?’
He nodded and picked up his cup. ‘Yes. I thought I’d come to talk to you in person but then I didn’t know where you were.’
‘I know and then your mother told you,’ Claire said, impatiently. ‘Could we get to the point? I’m going to dinner with friends in about an hour, so I don’t have the time to sit here and go over everything. You want to sell the house, is that it? Well,’ she continued before Hugh had a chance to reply, ‘I agree. Let’s sell the house. I’d like to move forward as much as you.’
Hugh looked at her with a hint of malice. ‘Why? So you can get in with the Fleury family? Isn’t that why you’re here?’
‘Well, partly,’ Claire said. ‘It’s about my family’s history and connecting with this other branch of the Fleurys.’
‘You told me about some family feud or other years ago,’ Hugh said. ‘So you want to try to make peace or something? That sounds very much like you.’ His tone had a sarcastic edge, which made Claire bristle.
‘Well, that’s my business,’ she snapped. ‘I did come here to do a little research, yes. But then I landed this job that I love. Karina is a great boss and we get on so well. I think I’ve really found what I want to do and the place where I want to spend the rest of my life. Maybe that’s what happened to you, too,in Spain?’ she added, trying to make him feel good. Hugh had always liked it when it was all about him.
‘Yes, you’re right,’ he agreed. ‘I do feel I have arrived in a spot I love. And now I’ve met a woman who is truly wonderful and we’re buying a house together, so that’s why I need for us to sell the house in Dublin, you see.’
‘Yes, I thought that was why you were here.’ Claire looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
‘Exactly.’ Hugh stirred a little sugar into his coffee and eyed the scone Pierce had left. ‘Anyone want that?’ he asked, his hand hovering over it.
‘No, I said you can have it,’ Claire reminded him.
‘Thanks. Pity to waste it.’ Hugh started to slice the scone in half, plastering it with cream and jam. ‘Very good,’ he said when he’d taken a bite. ‘So where were we?’
‘The house,’ Claire said and drained her cup. ‘Finola told me she doesn’t mind moving out, either. She wants to get her own place.’
‘Right,’ Hugh said as he stuffed the last of the scone into his mouth. ‘Let’s put that into action, then. Will you handle it?’
‘No problem,’ Claire said. ‘I’ll contact an estate agent in Dublin after this bank holiday. The house is ready to be shown to prospective buyers as it’s been on Airbnb and really clean and tidy.’
‘Okay,’ Hugh said. ‘And as for it being my principal residence, there will be no capital gains tax.’
‘But you moved to Spain,’ Claire protested. ‘Isn’t that your principal residence?’
‘I never changed my address,’ Hugh said with a grin. ‘Thought I should stay registered at the house just in case. Of course,’ he continued, ‘I’ll get more than half of the money once it’s sold as I paid most of the mortgage.’
‘No you didn’t,’ Claire argued. ‘We paid half each. And I’ve paid all the bills, including the property tax since you left.’ Claire suddenly realised why Hugh had wanted to have this conversation in person. ‘Our prenup states that we’re due half each.’
‘Yeah, but you were living there and I wasn’t,’ Hugh said. ‘So that wasn’t unfair, was it?’
‘Maybe we should get a solicitor to sort it out?’ Claire suggested.
‘Maybe we won’t.’ Hugh leaned forward and fixed Claire with a cold look. ‘Just imagine what would happen if I was to tell anyone around here what your real name is. How long would it take for everyone to know? I’d say a day or two and then…’ He stopped and leaned back with a smug expression.
‘That sounds very much like blackmail to me,’ Claire said, now feeling a surge of dislike for this man she had once, briefly, been so in love with.
