In Jeopardy (8 page)

‘You bet I’m going to.’

‘There’s another condition to Banks’ offer. He claims that since you looted and ransacked the house he has reduced the sum offered to cover costs to repair the house. He further claims that you stole family heirlooms. He says these items cannot be replaced and is unable to calculate an accurate monetary value of them.’

She shakes her head. ‘Untrue – completely untrue.’

Thornton throws his head back and laughs out loud after he relays Richard’s claims. ‘You don’t give the impression that you’re up for criminal behaviour.’ He jokes, ‘Perhaps you’ve kept bad company for too long.’

There is a break in the conversation before Thornton says, ‘As your solicitor I have to ask you the following question.’

Christine nods.

‘Are any of Mr Banks’ claims true?’

‘No.’

Thornton smiles. ‘We will call him out. I will ask for the police report and insurance claim. I expect he won’t produce one, therefore, the matter will be dismissed.’

Thornton asks his client if she has any idea of her husband’s wealth independent of their shared assets. She shakes her head.

Thornton confirms that Banks is likely to have hidden wealth. He informs her that because she left the marital home then instigated legal proceedings and because there are no children involved that Banks’ solicitor will vigorously challenge her entitlement to fifty per cent of their shared assets. He asks Christine whether there is any chance that she would return to the home and remain separated under the same roof until all legal proceedings are resolved.

Without hesitation she says, ‘Never.’

After uttering this comment she strongly suspects that Richard sought legal advice much earlier and then plotted a series of events designed to antagonise, distress and insult her to the point that she chose to leave.

There was that absurd story about meeting up with a long lost friend from university. He would have applied for leave to factor in a dirty getaway with his bimbo. For most of her marriage to Richard there had been this unspoken agreement between them that he was unfaithful to her. Before this latest episode his infidelity always blew over and he meticulously made amends.

In the early days of their relationship he made excuses for his actions, promised the liaison that had just ended would be the last. In return she forgave him. This time the pattern of Richard’s behaviour failed to repeat and without mercy or conscience he ejected her from his life. She doesn’t need to explain this to Thornton who has read the situation well enough to understand where she stands and the abuse that is coming her way.

Thornton’s manner becomes bright and breezy. ‘We can use the information you’ve given me against Mr Banks.’

‘How is this relevant to no-fault divorce?’

‘It’s not in the sense that he can leave you regardless of his reason. He can set up a harem. As long as he doesn’t hold more than one marriage certificate he hasn’t committed a crime. I want to make the claim on your behalf that you left under extenuating circumstances. Essentially Mr Banks hounded you out of the house. Isn’t this what happened?’

She nods.

Thornton gains her permission to investigate whether Richard does in fact have hidden cash and other assets. However, Christine tells herself that her priority is to sever all ties with Richard. She reminds herself he is a man without honour. Perhaps it is only now and from a distance she can see him as he really is. She silently fumes.
He can rot, along with the sordid company he keeps.

Damien colluded with Richard while pretending to be a friend and someone she could trust. Without integrity, this man lied without compunction. It is obvious to her that during that last incident Jenna was barely able to contain her disgust. She expects that this relationship will split. Jenna might have the sense and integrity to leave, or more likely, Damien will treat Jenna in the same manner Richard has treated her.

After Christine’s meeting with her solicitor she feels flat. Matters that Thornton discussed have dredged up hurtful memories of Richard’s cruelty. The thought of a divorce and property settlement spinning out fills her with dread. However, she relishes the idea of nailing Richard, finding out that he does in fact have substantial hidden assets that she has a claim to.

Diana’s husband Paul meets Christine at the airport. She hasn’t seen him for more than ten years. He still has dark, sad eyes giving the impression that he was a neglected, silent child in a large bustling family. He’s polite and pleasant but the conversation from the airport is disrupted by awkward phrases and silent moments.

It’s Saturday and Julian arrived a day ahead of Christine. Diana and Paul’s children, Lawrence and Natasha, are at home. Diana is asleep. She was up until the early hours of the morning working on a bridal gown for a client who had a fitting that morning. Christine finds Natasha, like Paul, polite and pleasant. She only speaks when directly spoken to and allows Lawrence to speak for them both. One of the first things he says to her is, ‘Can we call you Christine?’

‘I don’t see why not. Yes, of course.’

Natasha smiles and Lawrence says, ‘Great – so we can forget about labels and formalities – we’ve sorted this issue out before mum gets involved.’

‘Why would this be an issue, you don’t refer to me as uncle.’

Paul clears his throat. ‘My family uses formalities. I’m sure between us we can break this habit.’

‘Yeah – cause it sucks, dad!’

Natasha chimes, ‘Can we change the subject?’

When Paul and Lawrence leave to buy takeaway Indian and Pizza, Natasha shows Christine her room and tells her she can sleep in the spare bed.

Christine can’t help noting then commenting, ‘You’re remarkably tidy.’

‘I’m not, really, mum insisted I clean my room otherwise she would. I didn’t want her going through my stuff.’

Christine doesn’t know what to expect of her sister’s children. Before meeting them she worried that they might be formal and stuffy, the way Diana could be. She likes them and is impressed by their ease of conversation, and that they have welcomed her, an aunt but a stranger, into their home.

She leaves her bags unopened and follows Natasha to the kitchen. Diana still hasn’t appeared.

Julian and Natasha make a salad and stack plates and cutlery onto the island bench. Christine offers to help; Julian insists they don’t need help. Christine feels a sting of awkwardness and hopes that she hasn’t intruded on her absent family. She hopes that one day she can return their hospitality and generosity.

Lawrence and Paul return and dump the stack of steaming boxes and containers onto the island bench.

‘Is mum up yet?’

Paul walks away from the kitchen. ‘I’ll let her know we’re ready to eat.’

Muffled voices from another part of the house find their way to the kitchen.

Paul returns. ‘She’s still tired, she sends her apologies and insists we eat without her.’

Lawrence rolls his eyes.

Paul speaks, ‘And we don’t need any comment.’

Diana’s absence fills the space and conversation sticks to safe subjects. Julian suggests they visit at least one of Perth’s highlights.

Diana emerges after the meal. She strongly resembles Julian except she has long black hair like Natasha. She still has a youthful appearance and is slender and graceful. She wears a fashionable cut of jeans, white shirt contrasted by a black pendant, and a woollen shawl draped over her shoulders.
Dressed modestly she carries the look with style, but also giving the impression she doesn’t care much about appearances.

After Diana greets their guests, she apologises for her absence. Paul offers to put together a plate.

Diana shakes her head. ‘Sit down and enjoy the company. I’ll arrange something myself.’

Paul lists places their guests might be interested to visit. Although it is an unseasonably cold autumn in Perth, he suggests a cruise along the Swan River. Lawrence dismisses this as boring. Diana suggests a trip to the city, to its quaint malls, historic buildings, the garden and the riverbank.

Lawrence says, ‘Boring, boring...’

Diana drops her knife and fork with a clink and turns her focus on Lawrence. ‘You haven’t come up with any bright ideas yet.’

‘We can show Christine and Julian our school and the university you want me to attend next year. I’d like to take them to the boatshed.’

Natasha interrupts. ‘No one has asked Christine and Julian where they would like to go.’

Christine responds, ‘We don’t need to go anywhere. If you want to take us somewhere let’s make it local. I’m kind of tired anyway.’

She wonders if Julian has filled Diana and her family in with what has happened in their lives.

Diana asks, ‘What could you possibly be so tired from? Neither of you have children.’

Julian speaks for both of them, glossing over some of the more distressing events that have filled their lives both in the past and present. Deafening silence descends and fills the space while Diana and her family listen without interruption. Conversation that follows becomes more relaxed and the siblings talk about shared experiences from their past and fill each other in on general events that
have occupied their lives since they last met. They talk into the small hours of the morning and sleep in late.

Diana shows Christine her workshop and showroom. These are the two front rooms of their sprawling Californian bungalow. Half-finished garments in her workroom look exquisite, reflecting the workmanship of an artist and her attention to detail.

Diana transformed herself from an accountant into a dressmaker. She tells Christine that her business evolved by accident rather than intention. When Natasha was born she planned to return to the accounting practice she had worked at since leaving Melbourne. This plan was disrupted when Natasha was struck with pneumonia at four months of age. As she was recovering from this illness she developed complications that resulted in a lengthy stay in hospital. Months after she was discharged from hospital she started to cough frantically, often seeming out of breath. This was the onset of asthma and as this is unusual for children less than twelve months old Diana wasn’t prepared to leave her at a childcare centre.

One of the reasons she was returning to work was to fund renovations planned before the children were born. The house was charming and neglected in equal measure. Living on Paul’s income alone meant these plans were put on hold. Before Natasha turned one Diana made arrangements to return to work, but Paul was made a partner at the accounting practice he worked at. Diana remained at home with the children and although their finances improved she despaired at how bored she became.

Boredom made Diana querulous and when Paul tired of her complaints he suggested she enrol in a short course to occupy herself. And given that she also complained about the state of disrepair the house was in he added that she could check the Adult Education Centre and enrol in a gardening or house maintenance course.

She felt insulted by Paul’s advice. At the time she stormed out of the kitchen, slept in the spare bed in Natasha’s room and didn’t speak to him the next morning. However, she took Paul’s advice and by the time he returned home from work her gloomy mood had lifted. The first course she enrolled in was basic sewing, followed by making soft toys then dressmaking. She discovered she had a passion for sewing. She made the children’s clothes and this interest evolved to a vocation. Working as an accountant had passed its use-by date.

Christine wonders whether fate has brought the siblings together again. Did Julian’s accident and her marriage breakdown miraculously throw them into the same space? Despite Diana’s aloofness she accommodates them. Her face lights up when they add vignettes about their lives and she seems touched by their visit. Since Julian’s accident his attitude has shifted from one where he wanted to pack in more activity than one can fit into a lifetime. Now he appreciates life’s surprises and savours the moment. Christine doesn’t know what she wants; only that life keeps throwing questions at her that she cannot seem to find answers to.

The evening before Christine returns home the atmosphere in the dining room is flat. Earlier that day Julian had treated Christine, and Diana’s family, to a high tea at The Buckthorn, a five star hotel facing the Swan River. No one is particularly hungry that evening and they pick at a light meal.

Diana’s family don’t talk much about Lawrence and Natasha’s lives apart from where they go to school and their various interests. Natasha has been practicing ballet since she was five and attends several classes a week. Lawrence is in his final year at school, plays rugby for the First Fifteen and is a member of Nedlands local sailing club. Paul rarely initiates conversation. Although he prefers to listen to others talk he often finds himself becoming the arbitrator of argument and discord.

Julian breaks the ice by asking his niece and nephew what excites them at the moment and what their plans for the future are. He starts with Lawrence. ‘Year twelve’s a big year for you. What are your plans when you leave school?’

‘I’ve shortlisted some university courses, but I have no real plans.’

Diana says, ‘Yes you have. You’ve already chosen your preferences.’

‘I can still change them.’

‘You’re not going to do that. We’ve already discussed this matter and you agreed you’ll stick with your best options.’

‘Mum – there’s no
we
here – this is what
you
want.’

Interrupting, speaking at the same time, Paul and Natasha break in, ‘Time to change the subject.’

Lawrence says, ‘I want to hear what Christine and Julian have to say.’

A long pause amplifies the tension. Christine is too afraid of Diana’s sharp tongue to offer an opinion.

Julian looks across the table at Christine, notes her pursed lips, and speaks for both of them. ‘What have you put down for, Lawrie?’

‘He wants to do a number of impractical things that will lead to nothing.’

‘It’s my life.’

‘You’re not going to throw your life away on an empty dream – we won’t let you.’