Page 76 of For Love or Money
‘It must be a bit daunting,’ she prompted, ‘being thrown into the middle of them all like this – especially having Jane here. I mean, that must be weird for you.’
Stella took a bite of pizza and nodded, chewing thoughtfully. ‘It was at first. I have to admit I dreaded her coming,’ she said with a little laugh, ‘but it’s not as awkward as I was expecting, and she’s been very friendly to me. She’s nice, isn’t she?’
‘Yeah, I like her.’
‘It must be quite hard for her too,’ Stella mused, toying with her glass. ‘She and Peter are still so friendly. Maybe I should be worried.’ She darted an anxious look at Lesley.
‘But they couldn’t make a go of it,’ Lesley said, sensing that she was looking for reassurance. ‘It’s one thing getting on well with someone; it’s another being married to them. Jane couldn’t put up with—’ Lesley stopped herself.
‘Don’t worry,’ Stella said, ‘I know it was Peter’s cheating that caused their marriage to break down. But he’s changed. I wouldn’t be marrying him if I thought he’d be unfaithful. Trust is very important to me.’
‘What about the rest of them? Scott seems to have taken a shine to you anyway.’
‘Scott’s sweet,’ she said, dipping a fry in aioli. ‘Joy and Michael are lovely, especially Joy. She’s been really kind. And Al, of course, is a sweetheart.’
‘Well, I certainly think so,’ Lesley said loyally.
‘I mean, I’m not naive. I know they’re probably not that happy about me. But they haven’t been hostile at all. Well, except Rafe.’ She took a slug of champagne. ‘He straight out accused me of being a gold-digger to my face.’
‘Pompous ass!’
Stella shrugged. ‘It’s what they’re all thinking, I suppose. I can’t blame him really. He’s just looking out for his father.’
‘And his inheritance,’ Lesley pointed out.
‘Yes, that too. You won’t believe this, but he actually offered me money to call the whole thing off.’
‘Bloody hell!’ Lesley widened her eyes, acting surprised. ‘How much?’
‘I don’t know. I told him I wasn’t interested, so it didn’t get that far.’
‘Aren’t you curious, though? I wonder would they pay me to break up with Al,’ Lesley said dreamily.
‘But you wouldn’t consider it.’
‘No, of course not. But I’d love to know what they’d offer.’ She’d have to get Al to find out. ‘Doesn’t it worry you, though, that they think you might just be after Peter’s money?’
‘Not much I can do about it,’ Stella said. ‘I’ll just have to tough it out. Eventually they’ll see they were wrong.’
‘Maybe it’s not just about you, though. I mean, what if you and Peter were to have kids?’
Stella shook her head. ‘We won’t.’
‘Really? You don’t want children?’
‘I ... can’t have them.’
‘Oh, sorry. But you could adopt. Or get a surrogate. There are lots of options nowadays, especially when you have money.’
‘Peter would be a very old father. I don’t think it would be fair to a child.’
‘And you’re okay with that?’
‘I’ve known from a very young age that I couldn’t have children. I’m used to the idea. So if that’s what they’re worried about, they can relax.’
‘Well, they must see how good you are for Peter. He’s a changed man, by all accounts.’
‘Hmm. But maybe they resent me for that too,’ Stella said thoughtfully. ‘The old Peter may have been a drunk and a philanderer, but they loved him as he was. And now I’ve come along and he’s turned into this abstemious health freak. It’s not entirely my doing, but no doubt the two things go together in their minds. I can tell they think I’m uptight and controlling.’
