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Susan’s pale eyes grew wide. ‘Goodness. I don’t spend that much a month on food.’
‘And this is from the man who a few weeks ago bought me cheap supermarket flowers. Some turnaround, huh?’
‘You think he’s up to something?’
Connie sat back in her chair. ‘You bet, I do. The question is what?’
‘Maybe he’s trying to win you back?’
‘In which case, he’s got some cheek. Why bring Tiffany to the wedding if he wants a reconciliation? Tiffany is the other woman, by the way.’
‘I’d gathered as much.’
Connie waved her hand about. ‘Any decent man would finish his affair before returning to the wife. But no, Kenneth wants to have his cake and eat it. If I turn him down, he’ll be back with her before the day is out, you mark my words.’
Susan took a sip of beer, using both hands to steady the pint glass. ‘Are you going to turn him down?’
Connie mulled it over. ‘I’m undecided.’
‘Do you still love him?’
Connie shrugged. ‘Yes, but I’ve come to realise that love might not be enough. You have to respect someone, too, trust them, and most importantly, like them. And I’m not sure I like Kenneth very much these days.’
Susan sighed. ‘I know that feeling.’
‘Don’t you like your husband either?’
Susan sighed. ‘I honestly don’t know any more. I feel like I barely know him. We’ve hardly spent any time together these last ten years.’
Connie picked up her glass of wine. ‘Does he work away a lot?’
‘He’s been in prison.’
Connie choked on her wine, spraying Pinot Grigio down her front. ‘Goodness me.’
Susan patted Connie’s back. ‘Manslaughter, before you ask.’
Connie accepted the offer of a tissue and wiped her mouth. ‘When did he get out of prison?’
‘Yesterday.’
‘Yesterday?’ No wonder the woman was looking so tortured. ‘Did you know he was coming to the wedding?’
Susan shook her head. ‘Neither did anyone else, including my grandson.’ She picked up her pint of beer. ‘Hence the need for this.’ She took a long slug.
Connie shook her head in bewilderment. ‘And I thought my life was complicated.’
‘The worst part is that he has no shame. He rocked up at the hotel like bloody Jesus returning from the desert, expecting a rapturous welcome and endless delight at his prodigal return. The fact that he wasn’t invited to the wedding was totally lost on him, as was the mortification on his children’s faces. Matt is utterly embarrassed, and Leah is furious as hell.’
‘What about you?’
Susan seemed to consider this. ‘I guess I’m depressed, mostly.’
‘Can you ask him to leave?’
‘Not without causing a scene. But the last thing I want is to have to pretend to play happy families all weekend.’
‘I know that feeling.’ Connie reached over and touched Susan’s hand. ‘Have you ever considered boxing?’
