Page 98 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
Perfect! Mary’s Christmas gift was solved.
He took a deep breath and felt the weight of the past few weeks lift from his shoulders as he walked through the brightly lit hallway toward the kitchen door.
Mary would be baking, filling tins with mince pies and shortbreads, and preparing for the big day. Conor hoped that she’d made a trifle. It was his favourite dessert. Lucinda was the Duchess of Diets and on a perpetual quest for the perfect body, and Conor had gone along with her latest nutritional whims. Lucinda’s kitchen at Creek House was like a chemistry lab, with packets of coloured powders and potions occupying every inch of cupboard space, and hedidn’t think his body could take another lemon juice cleanse.
How he’d longed for a slice of Mary’s ‘Death by Chocolate’!
Expecting to hear the clinking of dishes and the sounds of his children, Conor turned the handle, his heart racing with anticipation as he stepped into the kitchen, where the radio was on, and the room was filled with the sound of Christmas carols.
Conor looked around.
Oddly, the worktops were completely clear, and the kitchen was as neat as a pin. But there was no sign of Mary or the children. He wondered if they were watching TV and poked his head into the playroom, but other than tripping on yet another of Finn’s discarded footballs, Conor could see no evidence of his family.
He raced to the foot of the stairs and called out, ‘Mary!Are you there?’
There was no answer, and Conor wracked his brain to remember if the kids had any more Christmas activities. However, given the lateness of the day, it was unlikely. Mary had a calendar in the kitchen detailing each child’s schedule. She’d often told him that it was a military operation to get everyone through their busy weeks. Heading to the notice board, he turned off the radio, and as he studied the calendar, he was surprised to see that the next two weeks were blank.
‘What the hell?’ Conor said.
As he reached into his pocket for his mobile to call Mary, he noticed a bottle of his favourite whisky by thekettle. She’d placed a glass alongside it, and propped up by the whisky was an envelope that simply read,Conor.
The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the refrigerator, and as Conor held the note, Mary’s familiar handwriting felt like a ghost from happier times. Instinctively, Conor poured a large measure, took a sip, and then opened the envelope. He reached out to grip the granite surface of the counter and sat down.
The note was a two-page letter.
Hi Conor
If you are reading this, it will mean that you are briefly at home during Christmas, perhaps having a break from the festivities at Creek House. Christmas is a time that you’ve always spent with your family. Well, this year, things are a little different.
I’ve taken the kids to Spain, and we will be spending the holidays with Atticus.
I know that you will say I’ve gone behind your back, but had we discussed this, you would have stopped me, and I can’t have our children getting upset any more than is necessary. They were confused and teary when I told them we wouldn’t be with Daddy this Christmas. Still, you haven’t been around much lately, and a plane ride and a week in the sun with swimming pools and entertainment soon swung in Spain’s favour. I apologise for the extortionate expense of the flights and transfers from our joint account, but it is Christmas after all.
By now, Lucinda will have acceptedyour proposal, and I hope that you raise a toast to yourselves in the comfort of Creek House. The last few weeks have been tough, knowing that you and I have no future together.
You have broken my heart, and I can’t – and won’t – allow it to be broken any further.
There are four beautiful Murphys who need our love and reassurance more than ever as we go through this difficult time. I have loved you from the moment we first met, but now, I think the modern expression is, ‘I love you, but I’m not in love with you anymore.’
You are the father of our children, and I will never do anything to stop you from seeing them or being a part of their lives. But life, as you’ve planned with Lucinda, will be different for all of us.
I have consulted a lawyer and will remain in Belvedere House for the immediate future. Hence, nothing will disturb the children’s routine. Murphy’s Auctioneers is yours, and I want no part of the business, but you will contribute to the children. There is no point in lingering over paperwork, and I have filed for divorce. This will enable you to move forward swiftly with Lucinda.
A new, registered company has been set up in my name. Arnott’s Auctioneers will begin trading in the new year, and as a courtesy, you should know that I have signed a contract with Cillian McCarthy to handle the sale of all the new houses he is building, following the land deal that you successfullynegotiated. Cillian and I go back to the time when I worked with you. I helped him out, and now, he’s helping me.
Please call whenever you like. The children will want to hear from you, and I hope you will spend time with them upon our return. The new arrangements must include them seeing you whenever suits. Caitlin can’t wait to try the swimming pool at Creek House.
The children have left their gifts for you under the tree.
Good luck, Conor, and take care.
Mary.
Conor’s hand trembled as he stared at Mary’s words. ‘Take care’ – no love, no kisses, just cold hard words. It was so final. In the past weeks when he thought she’d been giving him space, Mary had been beavering away, setting herself up for a life that he would have no part of.
Reaching for his whisky, Conor tossed back the drink.How could she? Mary had stitched him up and was making a life for herself with a new business that completely excluded Conor.
To hell with Cillian McCarthy too!But at least Lucinda wouldn’t be getting her greedy paws on that pot of business gold.
