My Husband's Secrets by Louise Sharland

Author:Louise Sharland [Sharland, Louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2022-04-22T17:00:00+00:00

17

They drove back to Hope Farm in silence, then sat in the garden sipping tea and staring at the spring buds waiting to bloom.

‘Just a bit more sun,’ said Ali absent-mindedly, ‘and they’ll be off.’

‘What?’ Graham too, was lost in his own thoughts.

‘The blossoms,’ said Ali. ‘You can already see the narcissus poking through, then it will be the daffs, tulips, crocuses. Every year they come up in a different order. I anticipate one thing, and something completely different happens.’

The real issue, however, could not be avoided.

‘What will you tell Emma?’ asked Graham.

‘I’m not sure,’ Ali replied. ‘The truth I suppose, but all of it. Not just how useless Matthew was when it came to money, but how I enabled it.’

‘Oh, come on now—’

Ali held up her hand. ‘No, Graham, it’s true. I think some part of me liked the fact that Matthew was messed up, dependent. It gave me a sense of control, something I haven’t felt since Rory died, and something that played into my own insecurities.’ Her face was etched in pain. ‘That’s no way to have a marriage.’

‘You’re being far too hard on yourself.’

Ali smiled gratefully at her brother’s championing. ‘What I’m being is honest, Graham. Honest about the fact that I knew about Matthew’s trading problem – well, let’s call it what it really was: gambling problem – and bailed him out time and time again. That I knew he was playing fast and loose with his responsibility to my company, and I didn’t stop him, and that I didn’t tell anyone about it – not my daughter, not my best friend and office manager, and not you.’ She had been avoiding eye contact but now stared squarely at him. ‘Matthew wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.’

‘Hardly of the same calibre,’ said Graham, but seeing his sister’s face decided to change his approach. ‘If that is the case, then what are you going to do about it?

Ali took a moment to answer. ‘I’ll speak to Emma first, then Liz. All of this will have a direct impact on them, then I’ll think about calling the bank.’

‘And the police?’

‘Not for the moment.’

‘For goodness’ sake, Ali!’

‘We can’t afford any more bad publicity, Graham. Our current clients, while loyal, are edgy, and the Cornwall project is still in its early stages and needs careful looking after. I also need to check those electrical and gas certifications were done, as well as sorting out the renovations to Eustace Road. This is going to take strategic thinking and discretion.’

‘Sounds a bit like the old Ali is back in play,’ said Graham.

‘I guess so,’ said Ali, feeling less than thrilled about the possibility.

‘I’m proud of you sis.’

Ali turned away. ‘I’m not.’

She waited until Graham left before texting Emma to ask if she would be home for tea. I have something very important I need to talk to you about. Then she rang Liz.

‘Dartmoor Properties, can I help you?’

‘Hi, Liz.’

‘Ali!’ Liz was her normal effervescent self. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘You don’t sound it,’ said Liz gently.

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