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‘The truth is, Simon, I think something better came along. At least, to you it seemed like something better. And then you got found out. Or rather, you knew it was only a matter of time before I found you out. All this time I’ve been searching for reasons, but I’m not sure it’s any more complicated than that, not really. It’s just that most people know that when the whole grass is greener thing happens in life, it doesn’t mean to say you act on it. You did it to Emily and now you’ve done it again with me.’
She looked at him, his shoulders shaking slightly. He spoke, head down. ‘I’m sorry, Stella.’
A moment passed, then Stella spoke, her voice quieter. ‘Simon, I just want you to tell me why. And if you can’t tell me now, then go ahead and figure that out in your own time, but in the meantime I’ve got our children to think about. That’s all that matters to me right now. So, putting them first, I think you need to work out what you want: to live in her flat, which is where I presume you are, and not see your kids properly or find somewhere to live and build yourself a life where there’s room for them too. Your call.’
Simon still wouldn’t – or couldn’t, Stella wondered – look at her.
When it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything more, she slowly stood up from the bench. ‘I guess, knowing you as I do now, you’re weighing up your options to figure out what suits you best. I wasn’t given that choice when you left, but I’m making up for it now. You’ve had the papers. I want a divorce and you will agree to it. You’ll also pay back the money you took from the business, no matter how long it takes. I really hope I don’t have to see you in court.’
With that, she made her way around the bench and started back towards the house. After a few steps, she stopped and turned to face Simon.
‘By the way, your clothes are in bags outside the house. I suggest you come and remove them before they get nicked.’
As she walked away, she felt her legs shaking. In fact, her whole body trembled. But with every step she took, she knew it was time to leave the past – and Simon – behind.
Stella let herself into the house to be met with Percy by the door, tail wagging as usual. She grabbed her bag from the kitchen. ‘Right, you’re coming with me to the office today. We’ve got work to do.’ She grabbed his lead from the hook by the door and together they set off to the office.
* * *
‘And so, what that means for us is that if we’re going to plug this hole here,’ Lily squinted at the screen in front of her in Stella’s office, pointing to a spreadsheet, ‘then we have to make up this number in additional business.’ She moved her finger and tapped the screen.
Stella looked closely. ‘Well, that’s achievable.’ In fact, the number terrified her a little, but she didn’t want to let Lily know she was panicking.
Lily looked back at Stella. ‘In the next six months, really.’
Stella swallowed. ‘OK, that’s… a challenge.’ She shifted in her seat. ‘But if we all know what we’ve got to do, we’ll be fine.’
‘There is another option, as you know.’ Lily held Stella’s gaze.
‘Yes, I know. But we’re not going to let that happen.’
‘Stella, it would fix our cash flow in one go.’
‘Lily, I’m not going to sell any more of this business to anyone else. In fact, I want to buy it back from the investors. As soon as possible.’
‘But the offer from—’
Stella put her hand up. The last thing she wanted to hear was Annabel Collins’ name again. ‘Please, Lily. I appreciate it’s a big ask from the team, but I didn’t start Star Pots to give it away to people who don’t love it like we do. I mean, look at them.’ She gestured to the office outside, a sea of familiar faces.
The receptionist put her head around Stella’s door just then. ‘I’ve got Caroline for you.’
‘On the phone?’ Stella went to pick up the handset on her desk, slightly confused.
‘No, she’s here. In reception. Shall I send her through?’
‘She’s here?’ Stella couldn’t hide her surprise. It wasn’t like her sister to turn up unannounced like this. ‘OK, yes. In fact, no. Tell her I’ll be out in a minute. I’m really sorry, Lily, I’ve got to go.’ She stood up and gathered her things from her desk, shoving them into her bag.
‘No problem.’ Lily nodded. ‘Let’s catch up later.’
‘Thanks.’ Stella went to shut down her laptop. She looked at the screensaver, now a picture of just her and her three children. She’d changed it just a few days ago and even though it was a relief to not have to look at Simon’s face on the screen every time she opened it, at the same time it was a terrible reminder that he just wasn’t around any more. Snapping the laptop shut, Stella put it into her rucksack and woke Percy up from his slumber under the desk. She turned off the light in her office and walked through the main office, Percy close behind her, calling out her ‘goodbyes’ as she left.
Caroline gave her one of her classic functional hugs, then looked her sister up and down. ‘Wow, so casual.’
Stella looked down at her leopard-print leggings. ‘We’re very casual here.’ She smiled at her sister, teasing her.
‘Well, let’s hope you’re allowed into the restaurant dressed like that. I’ve booked us a table for lunch.’
‘Where? I’ve got the dog!’
