Unfaithful (6 page)

“You'd be surprised how few decent men are available,” Shona moaned. “I do believe that Mark will leave Rebecca soon, he just needs to leave when he's ready. He wants to pick the right moment, and like he promised, we'll soon have the rest of our lives to spend together, so I don’t mind waiting a couple more weeks.”

“I hope so,” Jackie replied. “Anyway, in answer to your earlier question, I think there are many types of love, but probably the truest, purest love that I have experienced is the love I share with my children. They love me for me; exactly who I am. It doesn't matter if I'm fat or thin, tall or small, trendy or dowdy. They just love me and I love them for exactly who they are. Obviously, I love Colm too and I know he loves me, but there are so many expectations involved with romantic love. Probably, the most you can hope for with your partner is that they are exactly that, your partner in life and that is wonderful, of course. Colm is an excellent father and a good, reliable husband. He's a very decent, kind man, but sometimes I wish he would be a bit more romantic. Sometimes I feel like he doesn't see me as a woman. He rarely compliments me, or looks at me in that way when you know your husband really desires you. He gives me gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, which is a good idea in one way, because I can choose what I want, but sometimes I think to myself that he should know me well enough by now to know what I like and that he could surprise me once in a while. I have to organise our holidays and weekends away. He's happy to go along with my suggestions but I know if I didn't organise everything that we would end up going nowhere and doing nothing. He’d be just as happy to sit at home.”

“Ah, Jackie, that's awful.” Shona sympathised. “Women need to be made a fuss of sometimes. I always got the impression that Colm was very romantic.”

“He used to be very romantic when we first got together,” Jackie muttered thoughtfully, a faraway look in her eyes. “I remember when I first met him thinking that he was cute but not particularly wanting to go out with him. He used to write me very endearing love notes and leave presents of boxes of chocolates outside my front door. When we finally got together he remembered all our anniversaries, even silly anniversaries like our six month anniversary or the anniversary of the first time we kissed. He'd take me out to dinner every week and would surprise me with beautiful bouquets of flowers. I suppose children and married life take the focus off your personal romantic relationship.”

“Well, it shouldn't,” Shona protested. “If anything he should be even more romantic towards you now, considering you are the mother of his two children! Have you tried talking to him about how you feel?”

“I've tried but I just end up feeling very petty,” Jackie replied. “We have two happy, healthy children, a lovely home and all the material things that money can buy. Colm is a great provider and works so hard. Many women would love to be in my situation with no money worries and a husband who lets her buy whatever she wants. I feel petty when I try to talk to him about romance, which is why I tried organising our dinners out and weekends away together.”

“There's not much fun in always being the person who organises the romance,” Shona said, shovelling the last of her French fries into her mouth.

“I know,” Jackie sighed, “anyway let's change the subject. I hate complaining, because, honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I know I have very little to complain about.”

“Well, no need to change the subject, I've got to dash, lots of paperwork to get through at the office this afternoon.”  Shona got to her feet and pulled her jacket on.

“Ok, have a good afternoon, don't work too hard. I'll call you during the week.” Jackie kissed her sister goodbye.

Chapter 6

Shona walked along the busy Dublin street with a spring in her step. She was happy that the status quo had been restored with Mark. They'd had a chat about Penelope and Mark had explained that she was just a pushy model who wanted to get her portfolio done inexpensively.

He had also promised her that it wouldn't be long until he finally left Rebecca and they could begin their lives together. He told her that he was organising things with his solicitor and accountant and as soon as the details were sorted they could start their lives together, which should be any day now. All was well in her world again.

It was a perfect sunny late autumn day. September was Shona's favourite time of the year and it was usually the month with the best weather in Ireland. She almost skipped along the street as she walked, admiring her reflection in the shop windows.

She was glad she'd chosen that particular outfit to wear today. She was wearing a short black skirt, with knee-high black suede stiletto boots and on top she wore a pretty, low-cut, white silk blouse, underneath which you could just about glimpse the delicate lace of her white bra. Mark hadn't been able to keep his hands off her all morning. She smiled to herself as she remembered teasing him earlier.

Shona swung into M & R Photography studios and got the fright of her life when she saw Rebecca sitting at her desk. They had never met before, but Shona had seen photos of her on Mark's mobile phone. She was much prettier in person, Shona noted in spite of herself. She gulped and made her way cautiously towards the desk, her heart pounding in her chest. She hoped her face wouldn't betray the guilt she felt in her heart.

Mark looked up when he saw her and said, without missing a beat; “Shona, this is my wife, Rebecca. Darling, this is Shona, my assistant. She's been a great help to me in your absence.” “I'm sure.” Rebecca glanced up coolly from the papers that were strewn all over Shona's desk, and gave Shona a meaningfully slow stare from head to toe. Shona felt unnerved under the other woman's cold gaze.

“I’m pleased to meet you.” Shona uneasily proffered her hand.

“Likewise, I'm sure,” Rebecca responded shortly, squeezing her hand tight, making Shona wince slightly.

“Shona, I'd love a coffee, would you mind putting the kettle on please?” Mark said over his shoulder, as he sat typing at his computer, not even bothering to look in her direction.

Shona couldn't believe how very unbothered he seemed by the whole situation.

“I take mine black,” Rebecca didn’t bother to look up or to say please.

“Sure,” Shona forced an artificially bright smile as she made her way slowly to the kitchen area at the back of the office.

It was all Shona could do not to get the kettle and mugs and fling them full force at Mark and Rebecca.
Condescending bitch
! Shona muttered under her breath as she banged about in the kitchen, taking her frustration and pent-up anger out on the cupboard doors.

"Everything ok in there?" Mark called.

"Everything’s absolutely perfect; never better!" Shona shouted back in her chirpiest voice, almost scalding herself as she poured boiling hot water into the mugs. She contemplated spitting in Mark's coffee, but decided not to lower herself.

"Need a hand?" Mark asked, suddenly appearing beside her.

Shona jumped when she heard his voice. "What the hell is she doing here?" she hissed as she vigorously stirred the sugar.

"She happens to be my business partner," Mark looked at her evenly.

"I thought she was looking after her mother or her sister or someone."

"Her mother's on the mend now," Mark explained.

"What's all the whispering about?" Rebecca asked as she took her mug of coffee.

Shona jumped at her voice.

"I'm just explaining to Shona that even though you'll be back to work soon, her job is safe. There's plenty of work for everyone and we need the extra help anyway," Mark replied smoothly. "Yes, of course," Rebecca smiled sweetly at Shona, "having you here will allow Mark and I to spend more quality time together."

She leaned in and kissed Mark full on the lips. Shona could feel a murderous rage building inside her. Mark kissed her back, seeming to enjoy it.

"Back to work everyone," Mark ushered the two women out of the kitchen.

"Come and show me everything you've been up to, Shona," Rebecca patted the seat next to her. "Mark tells me you've made some very useful little changes around here."

Shona had never felt more patronised in her entire life. "I've just made a few small administrative changes. Nothing much really," Shona said, suddenly feeling very nervous.

"I'd still like to see them.” Rebecca stonily eyed Shona over the top of her mug. Rebecca spent the rest of the afternoon observing Shona.

Cute little thing
, Rebecca thought
, I wouldn't have considered her to be Mark's type, but then again I didn't think he would cheat on me either
.

Rebecca couldn't help but compare herself to the other woman. Shona was petite and very slim, whereas Rebecca herself was tall and curvy. Shona had thick, blonde curly hair, whereas Rebecca's hair was quite short and dark. She found herself contemplating adding a few highlights to her own hair, but quickly squashed that notion.

I don't need to change myself
, she thought angrily.

Suddenly, Rebecca felt overwhelmed. She wanted to get out of the office, away from Shona and Mark. She couldn't believe that only last night they had made love so passionately and here she was today in the same room as his lover. She felt sickened by his betrayal.

"Thanks for showing me those files," Rebecca managed to say, before getting to her feet. "I need to go and check out one or two things at home."

"Darling, are you leaving so soon?" Mark asked.

"Yes, I must dash.” Rebecca hoped that her voice wouldn't crack.

All she wanted to do was throw herself on the ground and cry, but she knew she must wait, breaking now wasn't part of her plan. She'd accomplished what she needed to accomplish for now; meeting Mark's other woman and that was enough for today.

Mark walked his wife to the door and kissed her goodbye. "That went well," he said, making his way back towards his desk.

"It went well?" Shona asked incredulously, "well by comparison to what exactly?"

"What are you getting so worked up about?" Mark asked, sitting next to her in the same chair that had just been occupied by Rebecca.

He swivelled Shona's chair to face him and pulled it towards his. He put his hands on her knees. She shook him off. He pulled her chair even closer and put his hand up her skirt suddenly. She gasped. He touched her over her panties, teasing her. Then he slid his fingers inside and started playing with her.

"Mark, no.” She weakly tried to push him away.

"Don't “no” me," he said, continuing to tease her.

"Mark, stop it, I don't want to."

"Yes you do," he insisted, "I can feel you do."

He pushed her legs wider apart. He stopped suddenly and walked away from her.

"Where are you going?" she asked, annoyed that he was teasing her.

"You'll see," he grinned over his shoulder.

He locked the door and closed the blinds. Then he walked back to her and pulled her roughly to her feet. He pushed her over the desk and ripped her panties off. He was inside her in seconds, hard and rough. She gasped as he filled her quickly.

"Mark, you're hurting me!" she cried.

"You love it," he teased, continuing to ride her hard. He rode her until he came, then he fingered her until she orgasmed for him.

Chapter 7

Jackie brushed her long, thick black hair slowly, surveying her reflection critically in the bathroom mirror. She could see a few white hairs creeping in at her temples and a few more scattered around her parting.

It's time for a trip to the hairdressers,
she told herself in the mirror.

Jackie hated going to the hairdresser, she always had and probably always would hate it with a passion. She hated sitting in the chair, having a stranger poke and prod her head, telling her that her hair was too dry or too this or too that, trying to sell her the latest miracle conditioning product. She just wanted to get in, get her roots done and get out. How difficult was that? She couldn't be bothered with the inane small talk, preferring instead to immerse herself in the latest celebrity magazine.

She was one of the only women she knew who usually came back from the hairdresser with a splitting headache and in the mother of all bad moods. Colm tended to keep him and the children out of her way for the rest of the evening after she'd been to the local salon. She had contemplated dying her hair at home herself with a box of Nice 'n' Easy hair colour but she wasn't brave enough. She had nightmares about the colour turning out a mess, and as much as she hated going to the hairdresser, she did love her hair.

Her hair, in her opinion, was her best feature. It was long and shiny and accentuated her dark eyes. She sometimes wondered if she and Shona were actually sisters. She used to expect their mother to drop the bombshell that Jackie was adopted. Shona was blonde and very fair-skinned, like their mother. Their father was a red head, whose complexion was so fair it was almost blue! When Jackie had a tan in the summer she would sometimes be mistaken for a Spanish person, but Shona only ever burned and freckled, never tanned, well sometimes tanned, if you counted fake-tan.