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I wanted to divert the conversation away from Mackenzie, but I wasn’t sure Jerry was fooled. He paused before he answered. He told me he’d booked that holiday to the Caribbean, and then when he returned, he’d think on what new projects he wanted to get involved in. We chatted as we drove, but the closer we got to Hampstead Heath, the more agitated Ibecame.
The gastro pub sat on a corner of two streets. Steve pulled the car alongside the curb and we climbed out. I followed Jerry in through the door and kept my gaze on him as he threaded his way through people to the bar. He asked for a table and ordered a bottle of wine at the sametime.
I scanned the room. It was a wonderful old building, one side a dining room and the other, the bar withsofas.
“There’s a wait for the table, do you want to sit?” Jerrysaid.
“Ofcourse.”
He picked up the bottle of red and the two glasses and we headed to the only availablesofa.
“What’s up, Lauren,” Jerry said as he poured thewine.
“Nothing, why doask?”
“You don’t seem your usualself.”
“I’m fine, just a little stressed, and I needed some company today. I should have rung the estate agent but I keep putting it off. Although I signed the division of assets form this morning. Scott can have what he’s demanding, I just want closurenow.”
“Better to do that before he sees what your new salary is likely tobe.”
“I don’t know what my new salary is going to be. I wonder if I could ask Gabriella to delay my appointment until the divorce isdone.”
“How long does it take to getdivorced?”
“It’s straightforward. He hasn’t contested the reasons so I’m hoping a couple more months. It’s been about six monthsalready.”
“Don’t you have to do the two-year waitthing?”
“No, because I cited his adultery and he didn’t fightthat.”
I took a sip of mywine.
“I’m glad you’re getting rid of him. He’s nothing but a waste ofspace.”
I sighed. “Yeah, and I wasted nearly fifteen years onhim.”
Jerry raised his glass to mine. “Well, here’s to our exciting newfutures.”
It was as I started to take another sip that I saw Mackenzie. My glass hovered near my mouth when he walked in. My jaw dropped when I saw hiscompanion.
A tall blonde, immaculately dressed woman accompanied him. He placed his hand on her back as they threaded their way through the throng of people to thebar.
“Mack…” I placed my hand on Jerry’s arm to halt hiswords.
He turned to me, his browfurrowed.
“He has company, he might not want to be disturbed,” Isaid.
However, Mackenzie had heard. He looked over, following the sound of hisname.
Jerry stood and I had no choice but to follow as he walked over. If I’d stayed put, Jerry would have had a hundred questions as to why I’d been so rude, I was sure ofthat.
“Jerry, Lauren,” Mackenzie said, as he shook Jerry’shand.
“Lauren was lonely so I thought I’d introduce her to your pub,” Jerry said. I cringed, not wanting Mackenzie to knowthat.
“You’ll love the food here,” he said, looking atme.
