The Wife – Part One by ML Roberts

Author:ML Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008259860
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-08-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

I’m in the kitchen, cooking a dinner I’m not sure we’ll finish eating when Michael finally gets home. We may not even start, I don’t know. I’m just trying to keep up some kind of routine.

I glance up at the clock as I hear him out in the hall, and I feel that familiar ache in the pit of my stomach, that nervous anticipation, that worry – is tonight the night something changes?

A loud crash from the garden startles me.

‘Ellie?’

Michael runs into the kitchen, crouches down to pick the wooden spoon I’ve dropped in shock up off the floor.

‘Are you okay?’

‘I … I heard something, out there. Out in the garden. And the security light … the light’s been triggered.’

He goes over to the back door and I close my eyes as I wait for him. I’m so on edge these days. Lack of sleep and working too hard, I guess it’s all building up. It’s coming to a head. I love my husband but we never were tied to each other. But now – now I dread being alone. I’d rather have Michael here, rather endure the silences and that painful gap that’s growing wider between us as each day goes by; I’d rather have that than be alone. Here. In this house.

‘It was just a fox.’

I look up as Michael comes back inside; watch him as he locks the door, I watch him closely. Has he flicked both locks?

‘They knocked a couple of pots over, that’s all.’

‘Okay.’

He comes a little closer and I crave his warmth, his attention.

‘Everything’s fine, Ellie. All right? It was just a fox.’

He steps back and the gulf between us widens again.

‘I’m going to grab a quick shower before dinner.’

I nod and return to the stove.

The doorbell ringing makes me jump again and I take a second to pull myself together before I go out into the hall, checking the small black and white security monitor by the door first to see who’s outside. It’s only Liam.

‘Hey …’ He frowns. ‘Are you okay?’

I fold my arms and throw him a small smile. ‘I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all. When did you get back from Berlin?’

‘Landed about an hour ago. I’m on my way home from the airport, but I found this in my car, Michael must’ve left it there. And as I have to pass your place on the way to mine, I thought I might as well drop it off.’

I take the jacket Liam holds out, his fingers accidently brushing mine as I gather it up, laying it over the crook of my arm.

‘Thanks. Do you want to stay for dinner? I’ve got a casserole on the stove. There’s plenty.’

He shakes his head and steps back from the door. ‘I’d love to, but I’ve got a meeting first thing, not to mention copious notes to write up for a conference I’m attending next week, so …’ He shrugs and gives me an apologetic smile, ‘I’ll pick up a take-away on the way home.

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