The Would-Begetter (38 page)

‘Well, yes.’

‘It’s like this then – We’ve been married for over fourteen years, right? And we’ve got a lovely home, and marriage is never easy at the best of times. But I do love him (always-have), so I’ve decided to work at it, and Hector’s promised to try harder too. And I’m definitely going to go for a job, so’s I’ll have some money of my own. And this way, Morgan won’t suffer, which is the most important thing. So the upshot is; I’m NOT going to divorce Hector after all!’ Jess stared in admiration at this new, determined Wendy.

As far as problem-solving was concerned, Jess had always known that the best way to discover what you
really
wanted, was to let someone else cast the die for you. Then, judging by whether you felt instantly liberated or immediately regretful, your true inclinations became clear. In that moment, she knew at once that she valued her career and her independence above everything; that she would never have been able to cope with all the complications that go with
passion.
She
sat down opposite Hector’s wife, put her elbows on the table, and cupped her chin in her hands.

‘Thank you, Wendy,’ she said. ‘I think you’ve just saved my life.’

‘And now you can save mine,’ Wendy said.

‘How?’

‘By letting me talk to you?’

‘Well…yes of course… but I don’t know quite…?’

‘You’re closer to Hector than anybody else but me,’ Wendy said firmly. ‘So I know you’ll understand. I just want to get it all off my chest. Right?’

‘By all means,’ Jess said. She was feeling so irresponsibly generous, she would have agreed to anything. It was an emotion she was beginning to identify as relief…

So Wendy talked, and Jess made her cups of tea (and later lunch), and occasionally said encouraging things like, ‘Yes,’ and ‘Mmmmm,’ and ‘Oh I do understand,’ and also, ‘Really?’ and, ‘Good Lord!’ and, ‘He
didn’t?’
And when, from time to time, Wendy’s eyes began to leak, Jess handed her tissues without comment, and the tears dried up very soon, but the talking went on.

Jess rang for pizzas for their supper, and pressed Wendy to stay the night. ‘You can always phone Hector to tell him.’

‘D’you know?’ Wendy said, ‘I think I will!’

After supper, they sat on opposite sofas with their shoes off and their feet up, drinking gin and tonic. ‘I’m so glad you came,’ Jess said.

‘So’m I,’ Wendy agreed. ‘I feel ever so much better.’

‘But there’s still one thing that bothers me.’

‘What?’

‘Well, I think I do understand why you love Hector,’ Jess said, frowning, ‘in spite of the way he’s treated you. And if you’re sure he’s really sincere in his promise to do better in future…?’

‘Oh he IS,’ Wendy assured her.

‘… But I suppose I’m just a bit concerned that, as usual, he’s getting it all his own way – d’you see what I mean? You’ve been through all this together, and he’s been totally selfish and done exactly what
he
wants, over the years, and then in spite
of everything, he ends up with all the prizes – you and Morgan. In other words, he’s won!’

‘Oh no he hasn’t!’ Wendy giggled. Jess looked across at her in surprise. ‘I shouldn’t laugh,’ Wendy said. ‘I know it’s not nice, but I can’t help it!’

‘What?’

‘Well, this was what turned everything around, you see. Hector was so upset, and I comforted him, and well…one thing led to another, and it was brilliant!’ She took a hefty swig of gin and sat back, laughing.

‘Go on,’ Jess urged, ‘the suspense is killing me!’

‘Well,’ Wendy said, ‘I suppose I can kind of appreciate how devastated he’s feeling, since it’s SO IMPORTANT to him. But I don’t properly understand
why?
I reckon it’s a load of nonsense myself.’

‘What
is? You’re doing this on purpose!’ Jess said, laughing too. ‘More gin?’ She poured them both another glass.

‘OK, I’ll start at the beginning,’ Wendy said. ‘It was Thursday – day before yesterday. Right? And we all three went over to Ifor’s house for tea, and guess what? My sister-in-law June (who’s forty
five)
turns out to be eighteen weeks
pregnant!
She said she would have told us earlier, but she was that embarrassed! So now she’s had this amniocentesis test done, and it seems the baby’s fit and healthy, and…’

‘Don’t tell me,’ Jess interrupted, shaking her head. ‘It’s a boy, yes? A son and heir? The eleventh Baronet, no less!’

‘Got it in one!’ Wendy whooped, and they both collapsed in laughter.

Jess wiped the tears from her eyes and held her glass high. ‘A toast!’ she cried. ‘To him. To US. To the future!’

The End.

This electronic edition published in 2011 by Bloomsbury Reader
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Copyright © Maggie Makepeace 1997
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ISBN: 9781448207626
eISBN: 9781448207312
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