“Nina? Is there a problem? Please don’t tell me you’ve changed your—”
“No, no. He’s here! He’s just walked in. He never comes here.”
“Fuck. Are you with someone? Nina? Are you safe? If he starts any trouble, call the police.”
Marcus takes about four steps toward me, his face expressionless, his glare icy cold. He then diverts and heads toward the men’s toilets.
“Nina, answer me for fuck’s sake.”
“I… he… he ignored me. He looked at me but didn’t acknowledge me.”
“Who are you with?”
“I’m with Sophie and a couple of our salon managers.”
“Right, listen to me. If he’s received the petition and now turning up where you drink, I would consider that intimidation. If he tries to talk to you, make sure you have witnesses. Don’t let him get you anywhere alone.”
“Okay?”
“I wish I was nearer, I’d call in for a drink myself.”
“It’s all good, the girls won’t let anything happen to me.”
I look around the table as Sophie is telling a story about a blowjob she gave a bloke who’s just walked in, he blew all over her tits and ruined her Chanel blouse. I’ve heard the story a dozen times, but everyone else is listening intently and they’re all oblivious to the fact that my husband is here, accompanied by my brother.
“Have a good weekend, Nina. Stay safe and I’ll be in touch next week.”
“You too, Nate.”
Nate? Shit, where the fuck did that come from? Sophie’s head swings around as she catches on to who I’m talking to. She makes an O shape with her mouth and picks up a wine bottle, pretending to suck it off. I know Nathaniel can’t see any of this, but my cheeks are on fire, regardless.
“Oh, and Nina?”
“Yeah?”
“If that little prick causes you any problems, don’t hesitate to call me, you hear?”
“Thanks, I won’t.”
“You won’t?”
“I will.”
Shit!
“I mean, I won’t hesitate. I will call.”
“Good… and Nina.”
“Yeah?”
“I like you calling me, Nate… a lot.”
Holy fucking shit. Is my solicitor, lawyer, legal representative trying to chat me up? Is that even allowed?
“Enjoy your weekend, Nate,” is all I can manage, before ending the call.
Everyone at the table is looking at me, but my eyes are drawn to Marcus walking back toward the bar. He joins my brother and they both turn and stare right at me, but right through me at the same time. It makes me shudder for some reason.
“Well? What did Nate and his nob want?” Sophie asks.
I shake my head. “Right, please don’t all turn your heads ladies, but Marcus and my brother are standing at the bar. Nathaniel, my lawyer, seems to think that Marcus may have received the divorce petition today.”
“That fucker,” Sophie says while keeping a smile on her face.
“Did you tell your lawyer that he’s here?” Maria asks.
“Yeah, he said I’m not to be alone with him and if he starts anything to call the police immediately.”
“Would he start anything though, in such a public place?” Donna asks.
Under Nathaniel’s advice, I’ve informed all my staff that Marcus and I are divorcing, but I’ve also informed our managers that things are a little tense and that they are to call either one of us if he ever turns up at any of the salons causing trouble. Despite his actions toward me, then toward Sophie in the park, I’m actually not expecting any trouble from him. He’s a highly sought after corporate lawyer, there’s no way he would risk his career just to make my life difficult. In the eight years we’ve been married, Marcus has never behaved like he did last Friday night and I’m really not expecting him to again.
“No, I don’t think he would, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
We order some food and try to enjoy the rest of our evening. I move my chair so I’m no longer directly facing the bar and try my best to ignore the fact that my soon to be ex is here.
Sophie is doing her best to convince me to go with her to the Triple M event tomorrow, but I’m not sure if I fancy it. I was expecting to be spending this weekend in York, trying to get pregnant. I shake my head at that thought. Just a week ago, I was considering having a child with Marcus. Today, the thought of his hands anywhere near me, makes the hairs on my neck stand on end and my stomach roil. Unconsciously, I turn my head toward the bar and see that he and my brother are talking to two women. I turn my head quickly away, not because the thought of him with another woman bothers me, because it honestly doesn’t, but because I just don’t want to give him the pleasure of thinking that I care, which he will if he catches me staring.
“Just ignore them, Neen. He’s doing it to try and piss you off. He’s a fucking child.”
“I’m fine. I pity the poor girl, to be honest.” It hurts a little bit, but I won’t tell anyone that.