The Model Wife by Julia Llewellyn Read Free Book Online Page A

one hand to the other, ‘in the meantime, just a quiet word. As I say I am a great fan of yours. A great fan. But…’ With a flourish like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Dean produced that day’s Daily Post . ‘It seems not everyone feels the same way.’
    Luke shrugged. ‘My ex-wife. What can I do?’
    ‘I agree, man. What can you do? I can’t think why she’s got such a downer on you. I mean, you didn’t do anything wrong, you just left your devoted wife and three children for a girl young enough to be one of your daughters. Can’t think why she’s pissed off with you at all.’ There was a brief silence, then, ‘Aha! Had you! I was only joking, mate. You lucky bastard. We’d all do the same given half a chance. You’re just bloody unlucky to have the menopausal old bunny boiler getting a column in a national newspaper.’
    ‘Uh,’ Luke managed.
    ‘So! I have every sympathy but…’ A dramatic pause. Dean rolled his eyes. ‘The shareholders do not . I’ve argued that there’s been a slight increase in viewing figures since Hannah’s columns started. People tuning in to see what “the cad” actually looks like. But the shareholders think it’s bad for the show’s image. Plus – and I’m telling you this strictly entre nous – they’re concerned you’re getting a bit past it. There’s been talk of wanting a new face for Seven Thirty . Now, I have defended you to the hilt. Said there’s no way we’re getting rid of such a distinguished newsman. You bring the show gravitas. But they’ve said, “Well, he did bring it gravitas, until his ex made him a laughing stock.” So…’ Dean winked, ‘I am here to warn you, Luke. You need to be squeaky clean. We can’t stop your mad ex attacking you, but what we do not want is to provide any fuel for her fire. Capeesh?’
    ‘Capeesh,’ Luke agreed.
    ‘You are a happily married man, Luke. You’ve found true love with your pretty, young second wife and your baby girl. End of story. N’est-ce-pas? ’
    ‘Absolutely.’ Luke’s heart was off again. Shit. Did he know? How could he?
    Dean winked. ‘So it won’t bother you in the slightest to hear that Thea Mackharven is coming back from New York as a senior producer. She’s an excellent journalist and I’m delighted she’s agreed to return to be part of my crack team.’
    Thea? Luke almost collapsed in relief. Did Dean think she was an old girlfriend? Of course there’d been the odd shag over the years, but that hardly made them Romeo and Juliet.
    ‘That’s excellent news,’ he said sincerely. ‘She’ll be a great asset to the show.’
    ‘I’m glad you think so. She was wasted in the States.’ Dean grinned, showing a row of pointy teeth, then stood up, indicating the talk was at an end. ‘It’s great to have finally met you, Luke. I’ll arrange dinner for us all to get to know each other asap.’ He pronounced it ay-sap . ‘In the meantime, just remember, not everyone’s on your side but I am .’
    ‘That’s great to hear. And it’s great to have you on board. I know the show’s going to improve hugely with you at the helm.’ Luke cringed at his disloyalty to Chris, but what could he do? Everyone knew the rules. They’d all join Chris in the Bricklayer’s tonight for his impromptu leaving do. They’d get plastered, swear they couldn’t work without him and in the morning they’d get up, take some Resolve and start sucking up to Dean. The editor was dead, long live the editor.

5
    On that same grey Tuesday, oblivious to the upheavals in her husband’s life, Poppy Norton was pushing a buggy containing her toddler, Clara, round Tesco’s in Maida Vale. She was desperately trying to remember what she’d written on the shopping list she’d so carefully compiled then left lying on her kitchen table. Organic milk for Clara. Orange juice. Glenda, the cleaner whom Luke had hired even though Poppy had protested she was perfectly capable of cleaning the house herself,