The Desperate Wife’s Survival Plan by Alison Sherlock Read Free Book Online Page A

picnic indoors. Caroline brought some rugs and cushions to sit on.
    ‘I can’t believe they even took the microwave,’ said Samantha in disbelief. She lived on healthy ready-meals.
    Charley nodded. ‘The double fridge-freezer went today as well.’
    The only appliancein which they could now keep food cold was the wine cooler because that was built into the kitchen cupboards. Steve had drunk his way through most of the contents, so there was room for the ever decreasing food supply.
    The girls had brought a mixture of cold meats, quiches and salads with them. They all felt a little sad when they saw the boxes of home-made ice-creams defrosting on the counter.

    ‘It would have been a shame to let this lot go to waste,’ said Julie, licking the dark chocolate from her spoon.
    ‘This praline’s fantastic,’ said Samantha, before putting down her bowl. ‘But I mustn’t eat any more. That new bodycon dress I bought for the office party is pretty unforgiving.’
    Charley stared down at Samantha’s perfectly manicured fingernails before glancing at her own. She hadalready lost four false nails that week. She would have to get rid of the others soon. It looked ridiculous.
    She felt sick at the thought of her ice-cream and couldn’t bear to taste it. She hadn’t cared about the dishwasher or all the silly televisions. But losing her ice-cream was heartbreaking. That was real. Making it was possibly the only real talent she possessed. She had no appetite.
    ‘Where’s Steve?’ asked Caroline.
    ‘Out.’ Charley shrugged her shoulders. ‘He’s always out these days. Bankruptcy does not make for a happy marriage.’
    ‘It’s just all a bit stressful at the minute,’ said Julie. ‘Once everything’s calmed down, you two will be all right.’
    ‘How soon do you think you’ll have to move out?’ asked Caroline.
    ‘About a month, I think.’ Charley looked around the room. ‘Notthat there’ll be much to take with us.’
    ‘They won’t take all your clothes, will they?’ Samantha felt horrified as she thought of Charley’s fabulous shoe collection.
    She shook her head. ‘We’re allowed to keep clothing, bedding, a bed and important kitchen stuff like the kettle and plates. Beyond that, it’s all up for grabs.’
    The front doorbell rang and didn’t stop. They all looked at her. Someonewas leaning on the bell.
    Charley stood up.
    ‘It’s gone eight o’clock,’ said Julie, tutting.
    Bailiffs were only supposed to visit between dawn and dusk. It was dark when Charley opened the front door.
    ‘Steve Mills live here?’
    These men were different. They weren’t the sort of people she had become used to dealing with. These were hard men dressed in black. These men were more certifiable thanofficial.
    Charley nodded, too terrified to speak.
    ‘He owes us three grand,’ said the larger of the men, pushing past her into the hall.
    Charley meekly followed as they peered into each room.
    ‘I see we’re not the first,’ said the other man. ‘What’s left?’
    They went into the kitchen, ignoring the women sitting on the floor. Charley opened up one of the cupboards, where she had kept some appliancesready for the next visit from the bailiffs. The men took a smoothie maker, cappuccino machine, juice extractor, bread maker and food processor.
    Before leaving, one of them did a last scout around the kitchen and picked up the Gaggia ice-cream maker.
    ‘B-But . . .’ Charley stammered, before her voice trailed off.
    What was the use? She didn’t even have a freezer any more.
    The men slammed thefront door behind them. Charley disintegrated into tears.
    ‘It’s all right,’ said Caroline, giving her a hug. ‘You’ll get through this.’
    ‘Who the hell wants to bake their own bread anyway?’ said Julie, raising a small smile from everyone.
    ‘You’d better hide your shoe collection, though,’ said Samantha. ‘You don’t want all those lovely Gina heels disappearing out the door.’
    Julie