The Betrayal by Laura Elliot Read Free Book Online Page A

must.’
    A man at the next table starts singing ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ . He’s too drunk to remember the words and Jake rubs his hand across the back of his neck.
    ‘This recession could ruin us.’ I raise my voice as Jake leans forward to hear me. ‘We should sell Tõnality while it’s still viable. Let’s take a look again at those offers we received last year and seriously consider the best one.’ I look away as his eyes widen, their greyness exaggerated by the flickering nightlight on the table.
    ‘What’s brought this on?’ His astonishment is not surprising. I’ve leaped in at the deep end without testing the shallows first but I feel reckless tonight.
    ‘Think of it, Jake. We sell the company to Paul Rowan or Susanna Cox. Both offers were good. Then we sell the house.’
    ‘Sell the house?’ His eyelids flicker. ‘How many beers have you had?’
    ‘Just the one.’
    ‘I’d hate if you’d had more. You’re talking absolute nonsense.’
    ‘Just hear me out. If we sell them both we can pay off our debts and you’ll be free to do what really matters…like Shard.’
    ‘Is this about the reunion gig?’ He’s instantly on the defensive. ‘I know you resent the time…’
    ‘I don’t resent it at all.’ I cut across him. ‘I’ve always felt responsible for the band’s breakup. I’m glad you’re seeing the lads again.’
    ‘What is it, then?’ he asks. ‘We’re managing to keep our heads above water and you love that house.’
    ‘Not any more. It’s like a mausoleum since the kids left.’
    ‘But they’ll come back to live there,’ he says. ‘At least the twins will when they finish college. And Ali and Brian will come home for holidays.’
    ‘The twins won’t be back here for another four years. We’ve no idea where they’ll decide to live. Ali and Brian have never settled in Bartizan Downs. Where they stay for their holidays is not going to bother them.’
    He knows I’m right. When we first moved into Bartizan Downs they were thrilled with their spacious bedrooms, the fully equipped gym in the basement, the home cinema and games room. Such giddy excitement until the novelty wore off and they returned to a sprawled position in front of the television. They demanded a yearly subscription to the Oakdale Leisure Centre where they could link up with their friends. When it was time to leave, they did so without regret. Like Eleanor and Sea Aster, they’ve never considered it their family home.
    ‘I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our… our….’
    This is the moment to say it. Our marriage is over. We should buy two separate houses. A mews for Jake. Somewhere close to the city with space at the back to open the record studio he often talks about. I’d like something in the country, an old, converted schoolhouse, perhaps, or a cottage with a river running through my back garden.
    ‘Our what? Jake is waiting for me to continue. ‘Have you found something else you want to sell?’ He smiles grimly at his own joke but his gaze is wary.
    Art stops at our table and interrupts what I was going to say. He plans to buy a guitar for his son’s thirteenth birthday and wants our advice. Jake makes a few suggestions and tells him to call in to see us in Tõnality.
    ‘You were saying?’ He leans his elbows on the table when Art leaves.
    ‘Forget it. It was just a thought.’
    ‘You don’t throw something like that at me without thinking it through,’ he says. ‘You’ve obviously seriously considered selling Tõnality and the house.’ This is not an accusation, more like a consideration, as if I’ve opened his mind to other possibilities. ‘Is there something else you want to tell me?’
    I can’t do it. Marriages usually end after hate rants and havoc, accusations, revelations, confessions, vows of vengeance, tears, blood and sweat. What excuse do I have? How can I destroy twenty-three years of togetherness simply because I’m stressed and overworked, not thinking