“Thank God you’re not with a client. When’s your next one due?”
Megan flicked a look at the clock. “Twenty minutes. What’s wrong?”
“Tom’s having an affair.” As soon as I stated it out aloud I burst into tears.
Megan and Trish rushed to my side and hugged me.
My sobs increased. In the last seven months I had totally exposed myself. I had given Tom my fantasies. I had let down my inhibitions. I had left myself totally open. Throughout it all, Tom had made me feel safe, protected and loved. Only it had all been a lie. He had betrayed my trust. He had betrayed my body. My sobs crescendoed.
The girls continued to pat me on the back and made soothing noises until my crying eventually tailed off into gulping sobs.
“What makes you think Tom’s having an affair?” Megan asked gently.
“His lover just called me up.” Sniff. “She’s read the letters.” Sniff. “She said Tom said she was hotter than me.” Sniff.
“That prick,” Trish said. “Men can’t be trusted.”
“This just doesn’t sound like Tom,” Megan said. “He’s so devoted to you and the kids. Chris says he talks about you all the time.” Chris and Tom met at the gym every Sunday for an intense workout.
“Of course he’s not going to tell Chris anything,” Trish scoffed. “He’d know it would get back to Sherry. Men just can’t keep their dick in their pants.”
Megan frowned at Trish. “Not all men are like that. I don’t mean to offend you, Trish, but Bradley was an asshole. It wasn’t a surprise when he fucked around. I just don’t see Tom doing that. Have you asked Tom about it?”
I sniffed inelegantly. “Not yet. I was so angry when that woman called that I packed his bags and organised for the locks to be changed.”
“Those locks of yours are certainly getting a workout.”
I felt a little faint. “Do you think his lover is the one who’s been stalking me?”
Both of my friends looked at me with concern. “That’s a scary thought.”
“Do you want us to be there tonight?” Trish asked.
“I’d rather face him by myself.” It would be too embarrassing to have my friends hear Tom tell me what a fool I’d been. “Maybe later, though, when he’s left.” My breath caught on another sob.
“Give us a call and let us know.” Megan rubbed my arm supportively.
The shop door opened and Megan’s next client entered.
“Do you want to have a coffee next door?” Trish asked.
“That would be good. I’ll just freshen up first.”
“You’ll be okay, won’t you Megan?” Trish asked.
“Sure.” Megan turned her attention to her client and gave her a welcoming smile as she ushered her into the back room.
At six o’clock I heard Tom jiggling the security door. Normally, it was never locked and I knew he didn’t have a key for it on his key ring so I didn’t need to have its lock changed.
I opened up the front door and stared coldly at him through the security mesh.
“Hi sweetheart,” he smiled. “You must have locked the door.”
His smile faltered as I continued to stare at him. He looked down at the suitcases. “Have we had a change of plans? Are we going away for a naughty weekend?”
“As if, you lying bastard.”
Tom blinked. “Excuse me.”
“Your lover called today. You can’t hide any more, you adulterous worm. You’ve betrayed me and you’ve betrayed the kids.”
“Sherry. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The calm tone of his voice infuriated me. How many times had he hidden behind that cool facade while he lied to me?
“I got a phone call today. Your lover told me how you laughed about me while you enacted my letters with her.”
Confusion etched his brow. He was an excellent actor. Then again, he’d have to be to keep me fooled all this time. “Sweetheart, tell me exactly what happened.”
I repeated the phone call.
“Sherry. I swear to you, I have never had an affair. I love you,” Tom said earnestly. “This is some sort of prank.”
I wavered. He looked so genuine. “Bradley said the same to Trish when she first accused him.”
“Bradley is an asshole,” Tom repeated Megan’s character analysis. “I would never do that to you. This woman didn’t even name herself.”
“How did she know about the letters?”
“I don’t know.” Tom raked his hands through his hair. “I only had it in my briefcase on Fridays. After that, I put it in my bedside drawer. Check the drawer.”