He had no idea what her game was, but was very keen to believe that she was actually just a money-grabbing lowlife. If so, she would presumably have worked out how much would keep her going for life. Well, let her believe it. ‘I think that five hundred thousand would be fair, don’t you?’ he asked, to no reply. ‘I don’t have that kind of money just lying around,’ he continued, hoping that he sounded convincing enough to buy some time. ‘I need a few days to raise it, to liquidate it. How much time do I have?’

‘Once you’ve paid me exactly what I need, I’ll be out of your life. The sooner the better.’

She switched the phone off just before he whispered, ‘But I won’t be out of yours, sweetheart.’

Chapter Five

A bare tree branch lashed against the kitchen window. The drumming noise made Pauline Pearson even more impatient to see her husband, to hold him, and tell him she was sorry. Very sorry. When he was away, she genuinely did feel guilty about the constant arguing–when he was there, she was more than happy to blame Alan for his fair share of it. But she really did miss him when he’d been on the road for a while and, each time, she would decide to make a renewed effort.

The Edinburgh to Newcastle road was a bugger at any time of the year, and in this weather it was even worse. She hoped a traffic accident wouldn’t make him even later. She peered out into the garden; it was a typical wet, windy November–just the type of night for staying indoors and snuggling up before a roaring fire. The boys were bathed and ready for bed. Pauline had prepared a special meal and romance was on the menu. Hopefully. She smiled. It was a long time since she’d done that–any of it: meals or sex. Even if she said so herself, the smell was delicious. She was supposed to be on a diet but tonight she’d make an exception for him. It was her way of apologizing. Pauline shuddered as she thought of the way she’d treated Alan over the last ten months or so. After all, as her mother had said this afternoon, the credit crunch was affecting everyone, and in Alan’s line of business as a financial consultant specializing in mortgages, it went without saying he would be one of the hardest hit of all.