Convenience

Part 60

Beatrice had only take a few steps, before she pivoted around. He was still standing there. "I'm an idiot," She muttered to herself. Why would she put herself through that again? She moved automatically. He was still standing, she thought. Haughtily, she turned back to face him. She marched back to him.

He held his hands up in apology when she reached him. David said quickly, "I'm really sorry." He knew she could be stubborn, but he also knew she was kind, and so he waited, his eyes holding hers, as he waited to see what she would do. She looked directly into his eyes. He looked straight back.

"Why didn't you simply tell me? When I arrived. Tell me the meeting was off?" She waited, her arms folded across her chest, her left eyebrow quirked. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this incensed. Her forehead furrowed. "Instead of going through this elaborate, stupid, lunch!" She felt like all sorts of a fool. They were too close. Beatrice could practically count each hair on his afternoon stubble on his chin.

He remembered to be honest, but he intended to be careful. Providing this information carefully! "Beatrice, don't you think this is..."

She fumed and interrupted, "Is what?" She struggled to remain calm. But she was emotionally shattered.

David winced. Obviously his tone and his words weren't the right ones! Not careful enough!

Beatrice huffed. Why trust him? This could not be happening. But as she watched him, she realised that he was struggling with his thoughts. Her brow quirked, giving him a chance to recover, "Not in keeping with your plans?" He flinched. She asked, "Not part of your grand scheme?" She narrowed her eyes, cynical now. He was watching her intently.

He felt like a complete bastard. He had seen the pain his actions had caused. Again. He swore beneath his breath and he knew that she wouldn't accept his apology.

Beatrice swallowed a painful lump in her throat. "Not what you intended?" Her mind raced on and on as she thought about his actions. Briefly she held his stare.

David started to own up. "Ok, all of the above." He cringed. Then David sighed as the balance of power once again shifted.

The sincerity in his words had changed her tone. "I trusted you." She accused quietly, and her voice was less stern. She had made a total fool of herself. Coming here, having this lunch with him, because she trusted him. David watched a play of emotions flash across her eloquent eyes. She said softly. "I believed that you wanted us to set up this Trust."

He nodded and reached for her arm, "I do." He made it sound plausible. "I do want to set up this Trust."

"Really?" A smile touched her lips but failed to register in her eyes. Beatrice shrugged but didn't maintain eye contact. She struggled to put the whole situation into perspective.

He nodded. "Yes." David said decisively. "We need to talk." He stroked her arm for several seconds.

Beatrice got herself under control. She exhaled before she said with quiet dignity. "You can do that through my lawyer." She willed herself to remain unflappable.

He blinked before he spoke. "What?" His eyes widened. His eyes met and held hers.

She said firmly, "Talk to my lawyer."

He blinked again. His head snapped back. "Come on Beatrice..."

"I don't trust you!" Beatrice dropped eye contact and missed the fact he winced. She willed herself to get back in control.

He recoiled, turned startled eyes to her. She didn't trust him? He was shocked mute. He was lost for words.

Eventually her eyes flicked up to meet his. They just looked at each other.

Her heart hammered frenetically. Time to leave. "Let go of my arm." She knew that if they kept meeting, she might change her mind about this divorce!

David dropped her arm. "Beatrice, this is stupid..." Wrong tone. He realised again. Her voice was back at stringent.

She snapped. "Stupid!" She told him through gritted teeth. Of course she was stupid. Coming here. Going to lunch. Spending time with him. Stupid. Right from the start.

"You're over reacting." He said softly. Hoped that his tone would soften the words.