Page 107 of Wife After Wife
“Megan? What on earth’s wrong?” Her heart dropped. Had Charles reverted to his womanizing ways?
Finally Megan managed to speak. “Don’t tell Charles. Or anyone, not even Harry.”
“You’re scaring me. What’s going on?”
“I found a lump.”
Ana sat down on the bed, staring unseeingly at Eliza’s goofy smile. “Don’t panic, Megan. People are always finding lumps. They’re almost always benign. Don’t worry yourself sick, get it checked.”
“I did. It’s malignant.”
“Oh no. How... I mean, what—”
“Don’t know yet, but I needed to tell someone.”
“Why not Charles? You two are so close.”
“I don’t want to say anything until I have more answers for him. I’ve got a scan Friday morning—”
“I’m coming with you.”
“But you’re up there.”
“I’ll only lose a day. You can’t go through this on your own. I’ll call you as soon as I’m back. And, darling, try not to worry. You know how good the specialists are these days.”
They ended the call. Shakily, she picked up Eliza and hugged her close.
•••
Ana gave the taxi driver a generous tip as he helped her unload all the gear she’d needed for taking Eliza to Scotland.
“Home, Eliza!” she said, enjoying the elegant facade of their Chelsea house.
She hauled the bags into the hallway and was about to go into the kitchen when she heard a noise from upstairs.
She froze.
It came again.
After her initial panic, she realized—that was no burglar.
As she silently climbed the stairs, she experienced an out-of-body moment, watching herself about to see something she didn’t want to see, but unable to stop herself from getting closer.
The sounds became clearer, unmistakable. Moaning, gasping, rhythmic. The thumping of the bedhead against the wall.
Out of some ridiculous wish to protect Eliza, she diverted into thenursery and put the baby in her cot, where she was happy reuniting with her soft toys.
Ana went back onto the landing. The sounds were louder now, the banging of the bedhead faster, more frantic. Out-of-body Ana noted in-body Ana’s feelings: fear, anger, despair.
She opened the bedroom door, just a crack, and peered in.
Janette, dressed only in stockings, suspenders, and high heels, was riding Harry like a jockey heading down the home straight, bouncing up and down, her breasts jiggling, her head flung back, now shrieking, “Yes! Yes! Oh YES, Harry!”
Harry was watching her in delight, his hands on her hips.
“Faster, Harry!”
Ana thought she might vomit. She kicked the door hard, and it crashed open the rest of the way.
