Page 11 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘Well, I’ve just run into Carol from the supermarket, and she told me…’
Bella didn’t hear the rest because her phone started to ring. She pulled it from her pocket and all curiosity in Dolly’s gossip, or Celestine, or, indeed, the flower stall, faded into the distance as she read Sean’s name on the caller ID. She had no desire to talk to him, but she wasn’t naive enough to think that she wouldn’t have to at some point, if only to discuss practical matters regarding the divorce. Perhaps, she thought quickly as she glanced across at Celestine, who was still being sidetracked by an animated Dolly, it might be as good a time as any. At least Celestine was distracted and wouldn’t be asking, and it wasn’t like Bella could do much else of use while she was unavailable.
‘What?’ she asked tersely as she took the call.
‘It’s me.’
‘Yes, I can read. What do you want?’
‘What do you think I want?’
‘I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.’
‘Hmm…’ He paused, the coolness of his tone making Bella lose her own. ‘That’s how it’s going to be? I had thought we could deal with this like adults.’
‘Like adults?’
Bella checked her volume, glancing across at the two old ladies still deep in conversation, relieved that they hadn’t noticed a new and far more current drama unfolding less than ten feet away from them.
‘Like adults?’ she repeated. ‘Because running around like a pubescent boy who spends his every waking hour thinking about where he might next get sex is so adult.’
‘You’re not going to drag me into a slanging match.’
‘I’m not trying to. Even you can’t be obtuse enough to argue that point with me.’
‘I didn’t end the marriage.’
‘Of course you did! I walked, but what choice did you give me? I return to my original question because I don’t have time for this. What do you want, Sean?’
‘Where are you staying?’
‘None of your business.’
‘Are you all right for money?’
‘What do you care?’
‘I do care. You’re still?—’
‘If you finish that sentence with the wordsmy wife, I will end this call right now. I might be your wife but in name only – something I intend to sort out just as soon as I can.’
‘You’ve instructed someone?’
‘I haven’t had time yet, but I will. Don’t even think I might change my mind.’
‘You’re quite certain I won’t be able to?’
‘Is that why you’ve called. Where’s Anita? Or has she already been replaced by the next model? Are you in between mistresses? Is that why you’ve managed to find a five-minuteslot to try and persuade me to come back to be your lawfully wedded doormat?’
‘Don’t you think you reacted hastily? We didn’t even discuss?—’
‘We discussed it the other times. God knows how many more times we might have to discuss it if I were ever stupid enough to forgive you. It’s over, Sean. I reacted hastily, but there’s nothing hasty about my thoughts since then. I haven’t changed my mind; nor will I ever. So are we finished here? Because I’m busy right now.’
‘I’m not simply going to hand over half of everything, you know.’
‘Is that what you think is going on here? I’m divorcing you to get money?’
‘I’m sure your solicitor will advise you to get what you can.’
