Desperate Measures. Kitty Neale

my ex-husband’s wife. She’s the one who’s having a baby.’

      Val didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t unusual for a second marriage to result in more children, but she didn’t feel it would help to point this out to Betty. It was obvious that the ex-husband had moved forward, yet for Betty the wounds were still painful. ‘Come and sit down,’ she urged, ‘and I’ll make us both a cup of tea.’

      ‘Thanks, Val.’

      ‘Here, drink up,’ Val said when she returned to see that Betty was still distressed, her hands wringing in her lap.

      Betty took a sip of tea, but when she then spoke, her voice rang with bitterness. ‘It just isn’t fair. Richard is over the moon and, from what my daughter said, he’s fussing over Mel like she’s a china doll, even getting her a cleaner. He can afford it now, of course, whereas when I was married to him I had to work like a slave without an ounce of help.’

      Val knew this was the ideal opportunity to probe, so said gently, ‘How come he’s comfortably off whilst you have to struggle?’

      ‘I … I can’t tell you. You’ll think I’m mad.’

      ‘I doubt it. Working for a solicitor I’ve seen and heard some terrible things and you’d be surprised how many women come out of a divorce with far less than they’re entitled to.’

      ‘Really?’

      ‘Yes, really.’

      ‘God, I thought it was only me. When I was married to Richard, he handled all our finances and I thought myself lucky that I had a husband who took care of everything whilst I was worry-free. I was living in my perfect little world, with my perfect marriage but, as I told you before, all that fell apart when Richard told me that there was someone else.’

      ‘Yes, and it must have been a terrible shock.’

      ‘It was, and when Richard told me about Mel, I didn’t know what to do. I loved him so much and hoped it was just a passing fancy. I was wrong though, because shortly after he asked for a divorce. I couldn’t believe it, wouldn’t believe it. I begged, cried, pleaded with him not to leave me, but he was implacable. For nearly a year, I wouldn’t accept it, refused to talk about it, but then, just when I thought that things couldn’t get any worse, he … he moved his girlfriend in.’

      ‘What! Into your home?’

      ‘Yes, and Mel was so brazen, cuddling up to Richard in front of me.’

      Val found it incredible, her voice high as she said, ‘My God, what sort of woman would do that?’

      Betty lowered her head. ‘I don’t know, but worse, I – I heard them having sex every night. In the mornings, Mel couldn’t look me in the eye, but Richard didn’t care. He was so cruel, fawning over Mel, showing me how triumphant he was about their sex life. It became unbearable to see them together, to hear them, and I felt an intruder in my own home.’

      Val was secretly pleased that Betty now felt confident enough to talk to her about such a sensitive subject. ‘What did you do?’

      ‘In the end I couldn’t stand it any more, and when Richard offered to find me somewhere else to live, I moved out.’

      ‘I can understand how you felt, but maybe that wasn’t the best thing to do. By making your life so unbearable that you moved out, Richard retained your home.’

      ‘I know that now, but at the time I was at the end of my tether, my nerves all over the place. Richard rented me a flat in the next town, arranged a small allowance and advised me to see a solicitor to file for a divorce.’

      ‘The bastard! Oh, pardon my language, Betty, but I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. You poor thing. What did you do?’

      ‘I was in a terrible state, so at first I did nothing, but then Richard took the initiative and filed for divorce, using the grounds that I had deserted him.’

      ‘But you didn’t desert him. He more or less forced you out.’

      ‘I know, but with no other choice I had to find my own solicitor.’

      ‘Well, I hope he took Richard to the cleaners.’

      ‘No, I’m afraid not. Our house was mortgaged to the hilt, along with the business, and on paper Richard had little to show in assets. I felt sure that the business was doing well, that Richard had money, and my solicitor thought he might have hidden it in offshore accounts. The trouble was it would have taken years to unravel and I couldn’t afford to retain a solicitor for that long. The children were grown up and had left home, so in the end all I got was a settlement.’

      ‘It sounds like your husband was very clever.’

      ‘Yes, but you probably think I’m a fool for letting it happen.’

      ‘Of course I don’t. You couldn’t prove that your husband had money and if you ask me you were treated badly, but how did you end up in London?’

      ‘After the break-up and then the divorce, I felt lost. My life had been centred round my home, my husband and children, but now I had no purpose. I couldn’t bear to think about Richard and Mel, about all I’d lost, and sank into depression.’

      ‘How awful for you.’

      ‘Yes, it was, but my son, John, was supportive, cutting his father from his life, and, when he wanted to buy his own house, I knew he wouldn’t go to Richard for help. I didn’t want him taking on a huge mortgage, so stepped in to give him a large deposit. John didn’t want to take it, but I insisted, and though it bit into what money I had, I didn’t care. In fact, I didn’t care about anything any more and just lived off my settlement for about two years. When I realised that the money was almost gone, I knew there was no choice. I’d have to pull myself together, get a job. It was then that I moved to London and, well, you know the rest.’

      ‘Oh, Betty,’ Val murmured.

      ‘What’s worse is that Richard is now living the life of Riley and Mel wants for nothing. Unlike me, she has every luxury, whereas I’m alone now and have to struggle to pay the rent every week.’

      Val knew she still had to be careful, but took the opportunity to hint at revenge. ‘It’s so unfair and I wish there was some way to make him pay for what he did to you.’

      ‘Me too, but there’s nothing I can do.’ She scrubbed at her face with a handkerchief and then sighed heavily. ‘Compared to what happened to poor Paula, this all sounds rather pitiful, and I suppose it is really.’

      Val’s thoughts turned. Betty had been treated badly, so badly that – instead of harbouring doubts – she now felt a surge of glee that the woman could be recruited. She leaned forward, saying softly, ‘We’ve both had a rotten time of it, but yes, I think Paula has suffered the most. She’s coming round in an hour and I hope she’s feeling better. It was lovely to see how she took to you. In fact, she thinks you’re really nice.’

      Betty’s smile was faint, but she looked pleased. ‘Does she?’

      ‘Yes, and if you don’t want to be on your own, why don’t you join us?’

      ‘You could bring her up here. I need something to take my mind off Richard and, as you made lunch yesterday, I’ll do it today.’

      ‘You’re on, but I’d best pop downstairs just in case Paula arrives early.’

      ‘Thanks for listening, Val – it really has helped.’

      ‘I’m glad,’ Val said, thinking about Betty’s husband as she went downstairs. He had been so cruel; instead of living in comfort, he should suffer for what he’d done.

      Betty fought to push thoughts of Richard away as she looked for something to make for lunch. Val hadn’t been shocked; in fact she had been sympathetic and Betty was so grateful for her friendship.

      There wasn’t a great deal in her refrigerator,