AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I place my hand on his arm to stop him. ‘Actually, would you mind if I come with you and we have it down there? I could do with a quick break from this room.’ As much as I don’t relish the prospect of spending any time with Stefan, there are questions I need to ask him.
‘Totally get that,’ Stefan says, looking around. ‘These places aren’t pleasant, are they? Still, it’s where Max needs to be. Come on. He’ll be okay without you for a little while.’
It’s fairly quiet in the hospital restaurant, and we sit on uncomfortable plastic chairs, while Stefan fills the awkwardness with chatter about his son finishing university. ‘It was touch and go for a while with Theo,’ he says. ‘Thought he was about to quit at one point. Can you imagine? We’re not quitters in our family.’
‘Can I ask you something, Stefan?’
‘Shoot.’
‘How has Max seemed to you over the last few months?’
Stefan frowns. ‘Fine. Why? What do you mean exactly?’
‘I mean, has he been behaving differently? Distracted at work? Anything like that?’
‘Hmm. Not that I’ve noticed. But what’s that got to do with?—?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing to do with what happened to him. I was just wondering.’
He stirs his coffee. ‘Look, sorry if this is a bit personal, but have you and Max been having problems?’
‘Why do you ask?’
He focuses on his coffee. ‘This is awkward. But a couple of weeks ago I was walking past his office and I heard him arguing with someone on the phone. I’ve never heard him like that before, and I know Max would never talk to a client like that.’ He coughs. A thunderous chesty sound. Too many cigarettes, I assume. Finally, he looks at me. ‘I caught up with him later in the day and asked him about it and he said he’d been arguing with you. He apologised and said things were a bit difficult at home.’ Stefan grimaces. ‘I’m sorry, Hannah. It’s none of my business. I wish I’d never asked him. I don’t like to get involved in my employees’ personal lives. As long as they’re performing at work, that’s all that matters to me. But as he was attacked – I’m just wondering if telling you this might help.’
For the second time in the last few days, I’m floored by something someone is telling me about my husband. Max and I have never argued on the phone when he’s been at work. Of course we’ve often had disagreements, but we’d never let it cross over into either of our work days.
‘What exactly did he say?’ I ask Stefan.
‘Just that you were going through a bit of a rough patch, but he assured me you were sorting things out. And that it wouldn’t affect his work.’ He smiles. ‘I’m sorry. It really is none of my business.’ He puts his spoon down and shakes his head. ‘I’m the last person to comment on anyone’s marriage – I’ve beendivorced twice, and Pria’s been hinting about walking down the aisle but I’m done with all that.’
‘She’s never been married, though, has she?’ I say this, hoping he’ll work out that he might need to compromise if he wants to keep Pria in his life.
A sheepish expression crosses his face. ‘I know, I know.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to have a go at you. I’m just?—’
‘Please don’t apologise.’ He flaps his hand. ‘You’ve got a lot going on.’ He pauses. ‘Max will pull through. You know how stubborn he is. He’ll fight like hell to get better. And he always gets what he wants, doesn’t he?’
This is exactly what worries me – how far my husband is willing to go for the things he wants.
‘So there was nothing else unusual?’ I ask, having a sip of tea so I can avoid Stefan’s scrutinising gaze. ‘Or out of character?’
He contemplates my question for a moment. ‘Actually, there is something. I hadn’t paid much attention to it, but now that you’ve mentioned it. It’s about Paula.’
I place my cup down. ‘Max’s PA?’
‘The one and only. They’ve always got on well and had a healthy working relationship. But lately Paula’s seemed a bit off with him. Keeping interactions short. Not really looking at him when he’s talking to her.’ He coughs again. ‘I’d assumed she was going through some stuff in her personal life, but now I come to think of it – she’s been fine with everyone else.’
I take a moment to think about what this means. Someone else Max was having an affair with? I need to talk to Paula.
For the next few minutes, I sit quietly as Stefan moans about Pria wanting to spend too much time with him. ‘I’ve got work commitments,’ he says. ‘She knew that when she met me. In fact, she said my passion and drive is what drew her to me. So why, then, does she want to change me?’
I shrug; I’m only half listening. ‘Just talk to her about it,’ I suggest. ‘Listen, I know it’s a big ask, but do you think I could have Paula’s number? She might want to come in and see Max. Even if they’ve fallen out or something, she’ll want to keep him up to date with work.’
‘I’m sure she will,’ Stefan says. ‘Whatever happened between them, Paula’s worked with Max for years so I’m sure she’ll put aside any awkwardness.’ He pushes his empty cup to the side. ‘But I can’t give you her number. Data protection – you understand? What I will do, though, is ask her to contact you. Is that okay?’ He starts tapping on his phone. ‘I’ll do it now,’ he says. ‘Just to put your mind at rest.’
It’s better than nothing. I thank Stefan, then I tell him I need to get back to Max.
