He's My Husband! - Lindsay Armstrong [55]
‘Haven’t the foggiest,’ Ellen said cheerfully.
‘Mummy’s gone to Sydney to see about her new job,’ Sasha said importantly, causing Nicola and Ellen to exchange rueful glances. ‘And Daddy said I could have one more day off school to help you with Chris, because Ellen is only working half a day today, aren’t you?’
‘Feel a bit guilty about that, but I’ve got a dentist appointment,’ Ellen said ruefully. ‘Got this nagging toothache that’s beginning to drive me mad. Brett said he was sure you could cope, though. Said he wouldn’t be late home.’
‘He...oh, of course,’ Nicola agreed, although what she felt like screaming was, And what else did he have to say? Anything about this being absolute blackmail?
Then, midway through the afternoon, Brett’s secretary Margaret rang with the news that Brett had been unexpectedly called to Brisbane.
‘Brisbane!’ Nicola said incredulously. ‘What on earth for?’
Margaret explained in great detail. A large corporation that they acted for was suing a competitor over what they considered to be unfair trade practices. The case, set down for hearing in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, had been due to start today but their representative had taken ill—on the floor of the court, would you believe!—and Brett had flown down to step into his shoes.
‘How long is he likely to be away?’ Nicola asked faintly.
‘It could be a while, Mrs Harcourt,’ Margaret said cautiously. ‘Although there’s always the hope that they’ll settle out of court. But it came up so unexpectedly, he really didn’t have time to turn around. He did ask me to tell you to get Ellen to come and sleep in with you. He was most particular that that should be done—on account of poor young Christian and his broken leg. And if there’s anything I can do...?’
‘No. Thank you, Margaret.’ Nicola put the phone down and rubbed her face, her mind in chaos. Surely he could have sent somebody else? Why not Tara—unless she’d gone AWOL with Ralph? And why hadn’t he rung her himself? Why would he leave Chris at this time? Not that she couldn’t cope, but...
‘He’s got such a lot on his plate,’ Ellen said with a click of her tongue when she got back from the dentist. ‘Not to worry. I’ll just ring my sister and tell her to water my plants!’
‘Look—I can do it,’ Chris said excitedly, and hopped across the floor on his crutches.
‘Your dad will be real proud of you when he gets home,’ Ellen said.
‘Where’s he gone?’ Sasha asked.
Nicola forced herself to concentrate. ‘He’s had to go down to Brisbane for a big trial in the Supreme Court. It’s very important.’
‘Will he have to wear a wig and a red coat?’ Chris asked.
‘No, that’s the judge, silly,’ Sasha said. ‘I ’spect he’ll be assisting the barrier.’
‘The barrister—you are a clever girl, Sash,’ Nicola said admiringly.
Sasha swelled with pride, then said immediately, ‘But you’re not going anywhere, are you, Nicola?’
‘No, darling,’ Nicola heard herself say gaily. ‘You know me.’
He rang that night, before the children were asleep. Nicola was the last to speak to him as Ellen shooed Sasha and Chris off to bed.
‘Sorry about this,’ he said.
‘No more than I,’ she answered stiffly. ‘It doesn’t change how I feel.’
‘But you’ll stay?’ His voice was clipped and weary-sounding, and she was enough of a lawyer’s daughter and wife to know that taking over a brief at this stage of the proceedings was a mammoth task.
She sighed. ‘Brett, I have no choice but to stay. You know that.’
‘Why don’t you start on your clam fountain?’
She frowned. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be doing it now.’
‘Do it, Nicola,’ he said tiredly. ‘Whatever happens between us, it can only benefit you. Look—’ she heard a bell ring in the background ‘—I have to go now, but I’ll ring every evening about this time. Goodnight.’ And he put the phone down.
Nicola took the receiver from her ear and stared at it bemusedly.
But the next morning she did as he’d said, although she rang Richard and explained how Brett still hadn’t had time to go over the contract and that she