Deceit. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter 63

"Raising the stakes."

I got up just after seven.

I had unfinished business to attend to and if I was ever going to make the right decision then I had to make one last phone call.

Mr 'T' was on his own sat around his dining room table. He offered me a glass of whisky. I declined opting for a cup of coffee instead. I enquired about the use of his phone. He was very understanding. He directed me to a study off to his right. Our own living room would have been lost in such a space but all I needed was one small item and I found it next to a computer terminal.

I dialled home and waited, my wife answering it in a very guarded manner but I was determined to stay positive.

'Hello love, how are you?'

Not a word.

'Things are looking up and we have had a major breakthrough since I last phoned darling, it really is good news.'

Still nothing.

'Two more days love; maximum and I shall be on the next plane home.'

That at least got a reaction though not in the way I had imagined.

'Why bother.'

Her voice was sharp, without any hint of affection.

'In what way?'  I asked bemused.

'How is your little Miss Stamford? It must be quite hot over there.'

I was too tired to start playing any mind games and so I tried to remain calm and hopeful. 

'You mean Jenny? She's fine. I've not really seen her since last night to be quite honest. We talked over breakfast and then I met up with her again this afternoon to discuss where we go from here. Why?'

I so hoped we could have kept things cordial between us but no.

'Oh I think you should have no problem knowing where to go from there. It seems to me to be perfectly obvious where you were going from there.'

Her voice was growing louder and I braced myself for whatever anger was about to come my way.

I huffed a sigh.

'Sweetheart. We have been over this and Jenny Stamford is my boss. Yes, the relationship is cordial because she is a nice person but as soon as this is all over, I have already told you what I am doing. I'm coming home and I know it's hard on both of us darling, I'm not that insensitive but I've already told you that I have to see this through.' 

I wanted love, I wanted understanding, I wanted fellowship that would sway me in her direction, not the apparent conflict I was getting.

Cheryl began speaking again only this time it was in a very monosyllabic tone.  

'I had an envelope today. No forwarding address. No stamp. It was just delivered by courier at eight O'clock this morning. Your eldest daughter handed it to me. The rider had already gone by the time I could reach the door and like a fool, I opened it.'

She paused.

'Like I say it must be very hot out there don't you think Kirk dearest. Too hot wouldn't you say for wearing clothes for example?  Shoes perhaps, a shirt even, and why when it is so hot wouldn't you want to simply take everything off and go for a little skinny dip in a nice cool fountain somewhere?'

I knew instantly what she was talking about.

I hesitated.

'Cat got your tongue darling or has somebody been there before it?'