‘I failed to keep calm about it all. I just couldn’t do it. I realized when I looked at him that I really fucking hated him for what he’s done. I couldn’t be that two-faced, even though I tried. Sorry.’
‘Not to worry. It will work out, I’m sure. I’ll phone Paula and Emily and tell them that it’s important they keep on his good side.’
‘The thing is, Megan. I’m really thinking that we should go to the police about it all.’
‘I appreciate that you’re angry but we need to stick to our plan. As soon as the police get involved and charges are brought against him, the money becomes ring-fenced. You stand a good chance of losing it.’
‘I’m not sure if I care any more. My hate for him outweighs the desire to get my money back.’
‘Please, Lisa, just let the scheme play out. Give us a chance, all of us. We agreed we’d do this together, didn’t we?’
‘Okay, but I can’t promise.’
Megan came off the phone to Lisa and called Paula.
‘You have to keep him sweet, Paula, give him hope. Lisa is out of the equation.’
Chapter 41
Esme and Fifi were finishing their turn when Ellerman stuck his head around the door of the ballet class. Paula didn’t think she’d manage it, but she did – her eyes said it all – she was glad to see him but she was hurt.
She took her coat and bag from the seat next to her and waved him in. He walked in, grinning apologetically to the teacher, who smiled and looked as if she were delighted to see a dad in the ballet class. Esme and Fifi skipped over to say hello before being ushered back.
They sat in silence, watching the girls for five minutes, before Ellerman reached out a tentative hand and placed it on Paula’s. She gently removed it whilst still smiling at the girls. Ellerman leant forward in his seat and watched intently as the two girls hopped and skipped and pretended to be trees opening in spring and then, when the class was finished, they ran over, excited.
‘Come on, let’s go for pizza.’ Ellerman looked at Paula for approval. The girls shrieked with excitement. He knew there was no way that she could refuse now.
‘Okay then.’
She stood and picked up her belongings and sent the girls off to pick up theirs.
When they got outside they looked for his car.
‘I am driving that Kia four-by-four, the white one,’ said Ellerman.
‘New car?’ Paula asked.
‘Thought I could do with a change. Family car, really. Now I can fit the girls in the back. And I know it’s Saturday but I hoped you wouldn’t mind if I called in.’
The girls got in, thrilled.
Paula looked at him.
‘Did you get this car for us?’
Ellerman didn’t answer. He just smiled and looked pleased with himself. He’d been loaned the car whilst the Range Rover was in for a service.
After the pizza they went home. The girls were read a story and put to bed by Ellerman, and Paula stood awkwardly in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of white wine. Ellerman came up behind her; he knew he’d done the best job he could possibly do at remaining credible in her eyes. He stood behind her, not touching, just being close.
‘The girls were so sweet today. Like little fairies, jumping around.’
‘Yeah – they love their ballet.’
‘We should take them to see The Nutcracker, or Swan Lake. They’d love it.’
‘Yeah, maybe.’
‘We could make a weekend of it in London.’
‘Yeah, perhaps.’
‘Paula – I want you to know that I really do love you and the girls. I wouldn’t spoil that for the world. You know that, don’t you?’
‘Talk is cheap.’
‘But not for me… I mean every word. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.’
She turned round, her glass of wine in her hand.
‘I know that. I know you care about me – about the girls. But… I also know that I might not be all you want. I know I’m not the most intellectual person on earth. I don’t have a lot to say about certain subjects but I do my best and I feel a lot for you. I didn’t realize how much until I got the letter.’
‘That fucking letter.’
‘Yeah.’ She turned away and began tidying the kitchen. ‘It was a massive shock. At first, I thought it must be some kind of scam and then I saw my name, my address, all my numbers written on that sheet of paper.’
He reached out for her and she didn’t resist this time. ‘I cannot tell you how sorry I am, baby.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘I love you more than you know. I promise you that’s true. Paula, I thought I explained to you – I can’t say it any more clearly – I love you and someone has been trying to split us up. You mean the world to me.’
‘And all those women on the list?’
‘It’s all a pack of lies. I have no idea who most of them are.’
‘Really?’
‘Well, some of them I recognize – they are past girlfriends – well in the past – they were work colleagues or friends, friends’ wives even! It’s like someone has gone through all my contacts and picked out the women and decided that I’m having a relationship with them all. It’s absolute nonsense.’
‘I want to understand this, JJ. I know I contacted you on the Sugar Daddies site but I’ve always been honest with you. I am willing to give up a lot for you. I have turned down a lot of dates with other men for you.’
‘I know. I understand.’
She swung round, angry. ‘Yeah, but I don’t think you do. I have put up with so much – I can’t see you weekends, I can’t visit you in your home. I can’t even meet your son…’
‘Now you know why that is. It’s Craig.’
She laughed sarcastically. ‘I thought I did. The letter even said that he had died.’
‘You must understand: in my position there will always be jealous people. There will always be people who want to see you fail. One of those people has got hold of my personal information and has decided to stir up trouble. I am not what they have accused me of. I am not a philanderer – I promise – I swear – I love you, babe.’
She turned from him and shook her head.
‘I want to believe you.’
‘Then do. You should support me now, Paula. I think I’ve always been good to you and the girls. I’ve taken you on holiday, I’ve paid for the girls to do things they wanted to; I’ve always bought them presents. Don’t let some nutty woman come between us. Don’t let her spoil what we have – what we’ve built up between us.’
‘Not this Christmas, you didn’t.’
‘Didn’t what?’
‘You didn’t buy anything for the girls.’
‘It’s been a hard year for me. You know that. I told you, I’ve had a difficult time of it money-wise.’
‘The thing is, JJ, that’s not the only thing that’s been thin on the ground this year. You seem to have gone off me a bit, even in the bedroom. Every time I talk about a future with us, you change the subject.’
Ellerman’s phone rang. He tried to ignore it.
‘You’d better answer that.’ Paula turned and walked from the kitchen, sighing. ‘On your way out.’ She looked back at him and shook her head sadly. ‘I need more from you, JJ.’
‘Paula, I need you to have faith in me, that’s all.’
‘You can’t stay tonight, JJ. I still love you but I’m hurt. Come and see me again soon and we’ll talk properly.’
‘Okay – I understand. I will always want what’s best for us. I’ll go but I’ll be back soon, baby.’
He went across and held her and kissed her forehead. Her eyes welled up. She hated the deception but, right at that moment, she hated him more.