A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3) (16 page)

“
Bitch,” spat Chris.

“
Put your little dog on a leash Jan before he gets neutered,” said Rachel.

When he started to advance on her, Battler and Bruiser put themselves before Rachel but they needn
’t have worried because Nick grabbed his arm and pulled him back, his face still unreadable.

Rachel only let her composure slip once she was in the back of Battler
’s BMW and they were pulling away from the restaurant.

“
I really messed that up,” she sighed.

“
It wasn’t your fault Rachel,” said Battler from the front. “I think her head’s so far up her own arse she couldn’t hear you.”

“
Very succinctly put,” she smiled.

She
’d agreed to drive over to The Wherry Tavern to let Alex know how the meeting had gone. When she walked into the office she found not only Alex, Mikey, Declan and Jez, but Ryan too. She gave him a look that said,
what are you doing here
? He returned it with one that replied,
don’t even go there
.

Wearily she explained the conversation she
’d had with Jan Jordan.

“
Sorry, I fucked up big style,” she said when she reached the end of her story.

“
No you didn’t. The stupid cow is beyond reason,” said Alex.

“
That nephew of hers, Chris, is a hothead,” said Battler. “She’s got him on a tight leash but if she gave the word he could be dangerous.”

“
I think there’s dissent between Jan and her eldest boy, Nick,” said Rachel.

Alex appeared interested.
“In what way?”

“
I got the impression he doesn’t like her methods and she’s lying through her teeth. I don’t think she has come here to start her own business.”

“
Then what?” said Mikey.

“
She could be working for her relatives in Newcastle or Liverpool.”

Declan nodded in agreement.
“They could want Manchester too and the Jordan’s are just here to stir things up.”

“
She talked about the truce between the Maguires and the Laws,” continued Rachel. “She was very interested to know how it had held so well. Then I told her she had two days to get out of Manchester.” Rachel saw Ryan flinch and knew he was pissed off at her again.

“
Right that’s it, we’re leaving. She’s done your dirty work Alex,” said Ryan. “Don’t ever ask her to do it again.”

The two men stared at each other much as Jan and Rachel had done earlier.

“I already said I wouldn’t,” retorted Alex.

Ryan took Rachel
’s hand and led her to the door, Rachel casting the Maguires an apologetic look over her shoulder as they left.

“
Did you have to be so bloody gung-ho?” said Rachel as they exited the pub.

“
I just wanted to be clear.”

“
I’m amazed you didn’t piss all over the room, you were so territorial.”

He stopped in his tracks and regarded her angrily.
“Have you any idea what you did today? You threatened a very dangerous family.”

“
Not me, Alex.”

“
Do you think they recognise the difference?”

She remained silent. There was nothing she could say. She
’d messed up big time and dreaded the repercussions.

“
Course they don’t. This isn’t over. I just hope Jan Jordan takes it out on Alex and not you.”

They climbed into his Range Rover and Ryan slammed the door shut so hard the car rocked.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, lower lip wobbling.

“
Don’t try tears on me this time because it won’t work.”

Instantly the lip wobbling ceased and she sighed and folded her arms across her chest.
“I just thought I was doing what was best.”

Ryan stared hard at the steering wheel.
“Why couldn’t you do what was best for us and not the fucking Maguires? Why do they always come first?”

“
They don’t, you do.”

He sighed and ran his hands through his hair.
“You don’t understand what you’ve done today Rachel. This is only the beginning.”

His words shot a chill down her spine.
“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“
I’m not. This isn’t over, not by a long way,” he said quietly, starting the engine.

CHAPTER 12

Alex left the Wherry Tavern feeling extremely pissed off. Ryan
’s lairiness was getting beyond a joke. How much of that bastard’s mouth was he expected to take? The meeting had gone down exactly how he’d expected it to. Jan had refused to back down and Rachel had lost her temper. He didn’t expect the Jordans to go quietly, even though they’d had the meeting they requested.

Beth was pleased to see her husband home so early, he
’d been spending more and more time away from them and he was looking increasingly stressed.

“
Hello,” she smiled. “Are you in for the night?”

“
No. I’m off again in an hour.”

“
Oh,” she replied, downcast. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

“
Sorry Babe, things are hectic at the moment.”

“
Is everything okay?”

“
Yes. Why shouldn’t they be?”

“
I worry about you in your line of work.”

He hugged her, kissing the top of her head.
“Everything’s fine, just busy. Don’t worry.”

“
Holly’s cutting her first tooth, I think that’s why she’s been so grouchy lately.” While her husband was out all hours, Beth had been coping with the three children alone on hardly any sleep. Alex agreed with his mother on au pairs and refused to hire one, even though he was leaving Beth with all the work.

“
Is she? That’s great,” he replied distractedly as he rummaged through the fridge. “Where’s the bloody orange juice?”

“
We’ve run out, I haven’t had time to go shopping yet.”

“
Why not?”

“
Because Holly didn’t get any sleep last night and neither did I,” she said, getting annoyed. “We both fell asleep after I dropped the boys off at school and nursery. We only woke a couple of hours ago and I’ve had chores to do.”

He appeared chastened.
“Sorry.”

“
It’s okay,” she said, forcing a smile. “I could really do with some help tonight, I’m so tired.”

“
I don’t know what time I’ll be back, I’ve got a lot to sort out.”

“
Please Alex, if I don’t get a decent night’s sleep I think I’ll go mad.”

“
Why don’t you ask someone to babysit? Mum would be happy to do it, or Rachel.”

“
Rachel’s pregnant with three kids, it’s not fair to ask her and your mum’s got her own life. She does her bit but I can’t keep asking her, not when you won’t pull your weight,” she said bitterly.

“
If you hadn’t fucking noticed I’m busy putting food on the table so you don’t have to work.”

“
That’s not fair Alex. I had a career but you insisted I gave it up when we had Alfie. I’ve worked since I was sixteen so don’t you dare make me out to be some sort of scrounger.”

“
What do you do all day anyway? The house is always a tip and you used to look after yourself, make sure you looked nice but you’re always in the same jeans and jumper, your hair stuck in a bun. Why don’t you put in some effort and I might have an incentive to come home.”

Beth stared at him with hurt and astonishment. He
’d never spoken to her like that before. “I’m lucky to get two hours sleep a night, I don’t have the time or energy to paint my nails and do my hair. I’m exhausted Alex, I need you here but you don’t seem to want to be with us anymore. What have we done to you?” She screamed these last few words in his face, tiredness and frustration pushing her to her limit. There came the sound of crying from the front room as her shouting disturbed Holly.

“
Oh well done. You woke her you can deal with her,” he said, picking up his car keys.

“
Don’t you dare walk out. Alex. Alex,” she yelled when he ignored her and stormed out.

Beth swore she felt something inside her snap and she sank to the floor sobbing, her daughter
’s cries cutting through her skull.

Rachel found her this way half an hour later.

“Beth, what happened?” she demanded.

Beth couldn
’t reply, she was too choked up. Seeing she wasn’t in any danger, Rachel hurried into the living room to tend to Holly, whose cries were very distressed. The baby was bright red, face streaked with tears, her nappy soaking wet.

“
It’s alright baby girl,” said Rachel, picking her up and cradling her gently. The physical contact had an immediate effect and she stopped crying, although she still grizzled quietly.

Rachel carried her into the kitchen to find Beth was quieter too now the baby had stopped crying.

“Are you okay?” Rachel asked her quietly.

“
I can’t do it anymore, I’m so tired.”

“
Oh Love, why didn’t you tell me?”

“
You’ve got enough on.”

“
I’ve always got time for you. Get yourself to bed, I’ll watch her.”

“
The boys need picking up soon,” she said, the prospect of stepping outside the door overwhelming.

“
I’ll do that too, don’t worry about the kids. Go and get some rest, you’re dead on your feet.”

She started to cry again but they were tears of gratitude.
“Thank you.”

“
It’s okay,” Rachel said gently. She watched Beth wearily tramp up the stairs and was furious. How had Alex let things get to this?

“
Come on baby girl, let’s get you changed,” said Rachel, carrying her into the lounge.

After changing Holly and giving her a feed, Rachel had a tidy up, toys, clothes and dirty crockery everywhere. Holly lay in her bouncy seat kicking her legs perfectly calmly, watching Rachel move about. She thought half the problem was that the baby was picking up on her mum
’s distress. Rachel knew what it was like living with a man in Alex’s position. Sometimes business kept them away from home, coming in at all hours, exhausted. But Danny had always made sure he had time for his family and certainly wouldn’t have allowed her to get into the state Beth was in. The whole house screamed unhappiness. Rachel felt guilty, she’d got so caught up in her own life that she’d neglected her best friend. Well she wouldn’t let her down again, so she pulled out her phone and called Adela.

Beth woke naturally and not in response to a screaming baby and it felt heavenly. She could hear Rachel talking downstairs, the boys responding in unison. The house for once felt calm and organised. She wished she had her friend’s strength. Nothing phased Rachel.

Beth enjoyed a quick shower before wrapping herself up in her cosy pyjamas and dressing gown and padded downstairs to find a black-haired woman she
’d never seen before cooking in her kitchen.

“
Hello?” frowned Beth.

The woman turned and gave her a big smile.
“Hello, you must be Mrs Maguire. I’m Henrieta, a friend of Adela.”

“
Adela? The girl who works for Rachel?”

Henrieta smiled and nodded before turning back to the hob, which was emitting a heavenly smell.

Rachel walked into the kitchen carrying Holly, trailed by the two boys, both of whom adored their godmother. “You’re up. Feeling better?”

“
Much thanks. I’ve just met Henrieta.”

“
She works for you now. She’s here to help.”

“
She’s making pancakes,” said Archie excitedly.

“
That’s very nice. Did Alex hire her?” she said hopefully, thinking he’d felt guilty after their row.

“
No, I did.”

Her heart sank.
“He won’t agree to this.”

“
He bloody well will,” said Rachel firmly, putting her in mind of the old Rachel, her voice cold and eyes hard. “You can’t go on like this Beth.”

She hung her head and nodded, feeling like a failure at being a mum and a wife. Why couldn
’t she be one of those domestic goddesses who can cope with anything? Maybe they didn’t exist in real life?

They all sat down at the table together to enjoy Henrietta
’s pancakes. Beth liked her, she was sweet but spunky and not very attractive, which was good because her own confidence was at an all-time low and she couldn’t have borne some beauty strutting about the place, making her feel like shite.

Once they
’d eaten, Henrieta took the children into the lounge, leaving Beth and Rachel to talk.

“
Why didn’t you tell me how low you were feeling?” said Rachel, reaching across the table to take her hand.

“
Because you’ve got your own family to worry about and, truth be told, I was ashamed that I couldn’t cope.”

“
Is Alex not supporting you?”

“
He’s hardly here. It’s the nights that are the hardest with Holly cutting her teeth. She cries and cries and won’t let me sleep. I know it’s only a phase but it feels like it’s going on forever and the boys are so boisterous and take so much running round after. I spend the day tidying up and cleaning, trying to stop the place falling apart completely then Alex comes in, demands something to eat and messes the place up again. Then he has a go at me for not being Anthea Turner.” She started to cry. “I can’t cope with it anymore.”

“
That’s why Henrieta’s here, to take some of the burden. She’s a good friend of Adela’s and she’s worked as a nanny for five years. She’s registered and fully qualified and has some great references. She’s worked for a me a couple of times when Adela’s been on holiday and I can vouch for her.”

“
I don’t doubt her credentials, I’m happy for her to stay. It’s Alex that worries me. We had a horrible row earlier and he stormed out.”

“
He’ll just have to deal with it,” she said angrily. “It’s his fault you’re in this state. Be firm, tell him she’s staying and you don’t care what he thinks.”

“
He never used to be like this. I don’t know what’s happening.”

“
He’s being off with everyone.”

“
I’m sure it’ll pass, it’s just the stress of business.”

Rachel wondered how long he could get away with that excuse.

She left a much happier Beth playing in the lounge with the children and drove straight to The Wherry Tavern, knowing more than likely Alex would be there. She marched straight through the pub and into the office, banging the door open noisily to find Alex sat at his desk on the phone then slammed the door shut.

“
Alright Col, I’ve got to go. Something big and angry just walked into my office.” He chuckled. “No thanks Mate, I think I can handle it on my own.” He hung up and regarded her with an amused smile. “Hello Rach. How can I help?”

“
You can spend some time at home for a start,” she yelled, shaking with fury. “Your wife practically had a nervous breakdown in front of me and what are you doing? Sat here talking on the phone with your mates. It’s disgusting.”

His expression hardened.
“I understand you’re upset, but watch your mouth.”

“
Don’t tell me to watch my mouth when I’ve just tended to your kids while your wife gets some much needed rest. She’s exhausted Alex and you’re not supporting her.”

“
I’ve bought her a great big posh house, she wants for nothing.”

“
All she wants is her husband by her side but you’re never there. Losing interest already Alex?”

He shot to his feet and planted his hands down on his desk.
“Don’t you fucking talk to me like that. I love Beth.”

“
Then why aren’t you helping her? You expect her to look after three kids, keep the house immaculate, have your tea on the table no matter what time you come in. Who the hell do you think you are to put that on her? You convinced her to give up a good career to become a drudge. Beth is better than that.”

“
This is between me and her. If I started interfering between you and Ryan you’d go mental.”

“
Ryan is a good, supportive husband and father.”

“
Are you saying I’m not?”

“
You used to be.”

He banged his fist down on the table. It was rare for him to want to hit a woman, especially a pregnant one, but he was sorely tempted now.
“Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re so far up your own arse you think you can talk to everyone like they’re shit.”

“
No I’m not. I just don’t like seeing my best mate being used and taken for granted. I wouldn’t blame her if she left you.”

He turned purple with rage.
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Convince her to turn against me like you turned on Danny.”

“
What are you talking about?”