Shattered Hearts

Chapter 47

Rosalind looked at herself critically in the mirror, but even with only the smallest amount of make-up, her appearance did not let her down. It was the one thing that didn't, she thought, trying to push the memory of her encounter with John from her mind. She might have known he'd simply wanted to stick the knife in, and she kicked herself for falling into his trap. She didn't need him to make her feel guilty, she felt that every time she looked at her husband.

But unlike John, I'll never make the same mistake again.

She ran a comb through her hair one last time, grabbed her purse, and opened the front door. She smiled watching Dale tend to the flowerbeds, next to the 'For Sale' sign.

"You won't have to do that for much longer," she called walking over to him.

"I quite enjoy it," he said sitting back on his heels. "Are you on your way to meet Charlotte?"

"Yeah, we're going for a walk in the park, she's hoping the exercise will get the baby moving." She rolled her eyes, "You know how impatient she is."

He nodded, the smile falling from his face. "I certainly do, if she'd been a bit more patient during the divorce negotiations she could have got a better deal. She should have held out for the house."

"I guess," she said but she knew Charlotte didn't relish the idea of staying in her old family home. "But it's water under the bridge now."

"Not entirely," he said standing up and brushing the mud off his hands. "I've had a letter from Nick's lawyer. He wants to reduce her maintenance payments."

She gaped at him. "Surely he can't do that?"

"He's trying to," he said with a sigh. "He seems to think she's got another man to support her so the settlement should be adjusted."

"Wow." She was astounded, and yet it sounded typical of Nick. "What will you do?"

"I've fired off a letter reminding him of his responsibilities to his child, and that the alimony was in lieu of Charlotte claiming the house. For good measure, I've added that she agreed to divorce terms that would not threaten his professional reputation and potential future earnings."

She could feel his fury. "This has really got you riled up."

"Too right it has. He was let off the hook on the basis that he paid a reasonable amount - it's hardly a punitive amount - and he's trying to weasel out of it."

"What's Charlotte said?"

"I haven't told her. Unless he does try to pursue it, I don't think there's anything to gain by stressing her out."

"But won't she notice when she gets the bill for you correspondence?" She knew his company charged for every call, every letter, every meeting, literally everything.

He shook his head. "I've done this in my own time, no one needs to know."

"You are a good man," she said with feeling. 

He looked at her curiously. "Thanks but I haven't done that much. It was nothing."

"No it isn't, you do good stuff all the time and you don't get the credit for it."

"It doesn't matter, I don't do it for the plaudits." He knelt back down picking up the trowel. "You'd better get going, say hi to Charlotte for me."

"I will." She leaned down to kiss the top of his head, thanking her lucky stars that she still had him.

                                                                    ~~~

Rosalind linked her arm through Charlotte's as they ambled around the park, enjoying the spring air. Now and then Charlotte would pause to rub her stomach or back, complaining that the baby was sitting on a nerve or kicking her ribs.