Page 87 of Such a Good Couple
The next morning, the couples were quiet at breakfast. It was still dark out. Clara had been woken up especially early by a crew member and hustled into recording a quick talking head as she’d missed it the night before. The kids were still asleep but would be collected for a boat trip around the island in a couple of hours. To Clara’s dismay, Ollie had already disappeared, probably for one of his long runs, so her plan to plead her case was completely scuppered. There was also no sign of Mary and Derek, naturally. They’d been at the hospital all night.
One of the production assistants appeared at the door. ‘Morning all.’ She clapped her hands. ‘Thirty minutes to show time. The vans to take us to the beach are outside. Mary and Derek – who is doing better – will be meeting us there.’
Clara raised her hand. ‘Ollie’s not back from his run yet.’
‘He’s already outside, Clara. C’mon, let’s get moving, gang.’
Clara hurried back to her room to pull on the yellow and purple tie-dyed sundress she’d chosen to wear for the public execution of her marriage.
But maybe it won’t be an execution.She tried to be optimistic as she grabbed her sun hat.Maybe he’s feeling the same way I am?Though not talking to her last night and skipping out before dawn to run didn’t seem to bode well.
Outside, the others were getting into the vans. Clara spotted Ollie in the one in front and pushed past Paul and Liz to get in beside him.
‘Hey,’ she said.
‘Hey.’ He looked showered and wasn’t in his running gear.
‘I assumed you’d gone for a run.’
‘No, just a long walk.’
‘Oh.’ She messed with the straps of her dress. His hands were clasped in his lap and she longed to take one and feel that reassurance and comfort she’d always used to get from Ollie.
‘Let’s go.’ The production assistant had jumped in beside the driver and now they were pulling away from the villa. ‘Divorce Day, everybody!’ she whooped.
On the beach, Clara felt at a remove from everything that was happening. In the distance, waves were crashing, cameras and the production team were swarming everywhere and nearby Ollie was blank-faced, but all she could focus on was the roar of anxiety inside her.
By now, the sky was streaked with soft pastels of rose and orange as the sun began its ascent from the horizon. Mary and Derek had joined them, Derek in a wheelchair with a small shawl draped over his lower half to conceal the enormous bandaging that resembled an adult nappy.
Mickey, the director, stepped onto the altar. ‘This is it, folks. The moment you and an average of 650,000 viewers at home have been waiting for. Immediately after the ceremonies, we’ll be heading back to the compound to record talking heads. Alsoat the villa, a psychologist will be at your disposal in case anyone’s feeling a sense of hopeless, despair, et cetera.’ He tossed this off casually and made his way back to his chair under a parasol.
The filming began with Jez Fuller reminding viewers what an incredible, envelope-pushing showDivorce Islandhad been. Then, one by one, he invited each couple up and held both their hands like he was officiating a wedding. Liz and Paul, who’d been the most acrimonious right from the very beginning, were first.
‘Do you take this man to divorce or to make it work?’ Jez asked Liz, who answered with defiance: ‘Divorce.’
Jez turned to Paul. ‘And do you take this woman to divorce or to make it work?’
‘Divorce,’ Paul said coldly.
‘A unanimous divorce!’ Jez, beaming, clapped his hands and the rest of the cast joined in awkwardly. He faced the camera to his right. ‘But it’s still up to you, dear viewer, to decide if this miserable couple should get the divorce of their dreams. Text voting is still open.’ He winked.
Next up were Darina and Richie, who opted to make it work, which tracked – Clara felt vindicated in her belief they’d always been trying to game the show, only pretending to be having problems in order to win the money.
Rob and Sean chose divorce, as did Mary and Derek. Clara glanced at Ollie but there was still no hint at what he was thinking.
‘Clara and Ollie, join me now,’ Jez commanded.
They made their way past the other couples, up onto the altar. Jez took their hands and turned to Clara.
‘Clara, do you take this man to divorce or to make it work?’
Clara answered without hesitation. ‘I want to make it work.’ She tried not to sound as desperate as she felt as she looked upat Ollie.
Ollie didn’t even wait for Jez to ask him the question before answering: ‘Me too, Clara.’ He broke into a teary smile and grabbed her up into a hug.
‘Oh my God.’ Relief crashed over her. ‘Thank you. Thank you. I love you, Ollie. I love you.’
Being buried in Ollie’s arms after going so long without holding each other was the most wonderful feeling, and she started to cry.
