Page 35 of Conviction
“I mean, I won’t hesitate. Iwillcall.”
“Good… and Nina.”
“Yeah?”
“I like you calling me, Nate… a lot.”
Holy fucking shit. Is my solicitor, lawyer, legal representative trying to chat me up? Is that even allowed?
“Enjoy your weekend, Nate,” is all I can manage, before ending the call.
Everyone at the table is looking at me, but my eyes are drawn to Marcus walking back toward the bar. He joins my brother, and they both turn and stareatme, but right through me at the same time. Like they don’t see me. As if I don’t exist. A frisson of fear travels through me, and I shudder.
“Well? What did Nate and his nob want?” Sophie asks.
I shake my head. “Right, please don’t all turn your heads ladies, but Marcus and my brother are standing at the bar. Nathaniel, my lawyer, seems to think that Marcus may have received the divorce petition today.”
“That fucker,” Sophie says while keeping a smile on her face.
“Did you tell your lawyer that he’s here?” Maria asks.
“Yeah, he said I’m not to be alone with him and if he starts anything to call the police immediately.”
“Would he start anything though, in such a public place?” Donna asks.
Under Nathaniel’s advice, I’ve informed all my staff that Marcus and I are divorcing, but I’ve also advised our managers that things are a little tense and that they are to call either one of us if he ever turns up at any of the salons causing trouble. Despite his actions toward me, then toward Sophie in the park, I’m actually not expecting any problems from him. He’s a highly sought-after corporate lawyer, there’s no way he would risk his career just to make my life difficult. In the eight years we’ve been married, Marcus has never behaved like he did last Friday night and I’m really not expecting him to again.
“No, I don’t think he would, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
We order some food and try to enjoy the rest of our evening. I move my chair, so I’m no longer directly facing the bar and try my best to ignore the fact that my soon to be ex is here.
Sophie is doingherbest to convince me to go with her to the Triple M event tomorrow, but I’m not sure if I fancy it. I was expecting to be spending this weekend in York, trying to get pregnant. I shake my head at that thought. Just a week ago, I was considering having a child with Marcus. Today, the idea of his hands anywhere near me, makes the hairs on my neck stand on end and my stomach roil. Unconsciously, I turn my head toward the bar and see that he and my brother are talking to two women. I quickly look away, not because the thought of him with another woman bothers me, because it honestly doesn’t, but because I just don’t want to give him the pleasure of thinking that I care, which he will if he catches me staring.
“Just ignore them, Neen. He’s doing it to try and piss you off. He’s a fucking child.”
“I’m fine. I pity the poor girl, to be honest.” It hurts a little bit, but I won’t tell anyone that.
Over the next couple of hours, Marcus and my brother totally ignore me while Sophie convinces me that I most definitely, will indeed, be going to tomorrow's Triple M event.
The four of us leave together. Despite the fact that we only live across the road, Maria and Donna refuse to let us walk alone.
As we pass my brother and Marcus at the bar, Pearce steps in front of my path, in a well-executed move that everyone except Sophie, because our arms are linked, would fail to notice.
Marcus says into my ear, “If you seriously think this is over, that I’ll just walk away without a fight, then you’re sorely mistaken. I thought you knew me better than that Nina, but then you always were a stupid little cunt. We’re not over until I say we are. You’d do well to remember that.”
I don’t flinch at his words. I should, he’s never called me a name like that before. Right now, all I feel is justified in seeking a divorce. Fuelled by the conviction of my actions, I look from him to my brother.
“Not capable of confronting me on your own, Marcus? Feel the need to bring a sidekick to bully me? Well, sorry, you don’t scare me. You know why? Because I’ve got Sophie and she’s got bigger balls than either of you two. Now fuck off out of my way. Oh, and you’ll be hearing from my lawyer about this. He’s already been in touch with the manager of this place and asked him to keep his cameras on you all night. You know, just in case you decided to once again behave like a prick. Marcus, it really is boring just how predictable you are.”
I have no idea where the words come from, but there they are. It just so happens that we do know Mike the owner really well and he does just happen to be standing at the bar looking over at Soph and me. I smile my best smile at him, just as Marcus turns his head to follow my gaze. Mike winks and nods his head. Marcus steps a little closer to me, I step back.
“Get the fuck away from her, knob-jockey, else I’ll call the police,” Sophie says through gritted teeth.
“Marcus, what’s going on?” the girl that’s been hanging off my husband all night asks.
She’s tall and lean with sharp features, nothing like me whatsoever. I wonder for a moment if she’s more his type? If perhapsthisis the type of woman he should’ve married? If this is the type of woman he might want to have sex with more than once every couple of monthsbecauseshe’s the complete opposite of me?
“Hey,” I say cheerily, “My name’s Nina. I’m Pearce’s sister. He blackmailed me into marrying Marcus here about eight years ago. Sadly, for a number of reasons, one of them being that Marcus can’t get it up more than once every three months, he was served with divorce papers today, so all being well, he’ll be all yours in about eight weeks. Good luck with that.”
