3 comments/ 5794 views/ 0 favorites A Painful Divorce By: erinsisle A violent man makes it easy to kick him out This is totally a work of fiction Katie woke late and lay on her back feeling thoroughly fed up and out of sorts. She knew that she ought to get a move on but was unable to motivate mind or body. It had been the early hours of the morning before she had finally fallen into bed having delivered her ungrateful husband to Dublin airport. He had been particularly difficult in the days running up to this particular business trip leaving her in no doubt that to his mind she was merely a drudge who's only purpose in life was to serve him. The final insult was delivered just before he had dressed to depart. Shaun had pushed her down on their bed, beside the case she was dutifully packing for his trip, and effectively committed rape. This was the only word she could find to describe his selfish action because her vagina had been dry and his forceful entry despite her pleas had been painful. But at least her humiliation only lasted for six brutal strokes before he grunted and used her body as a receptacle for his useless seed. "Why in heavens name did you do that?" She had complained bitterly as he climbed off but his reply was typically unrepentant. "That's just to remind you who's the boss in this marriage." She eventually gathered herself together with a sigh to shower and dress before locking the front door behind her now suddenly keen not be late on this first day at the new office. The agency had sent Katie as cover for a secretary / receptionist who was on her two week summer holiday but within an hour of arrival she was at least able to relax for the job seemed pleasant enough. The two regular secretaries were friendly and what she had seen so far of the staff was okay. Apparently Monday in this organisation was normally busy and today was no exception so until she was driving home Katie had no time to dwell further on her marital problems but it was a different matter when she was putting together an evening meal. However it was not only good to be without him but also to be looking forward to the next ten days during which she would have both the house and her life to herself. No walking on egg shells around a husband whose moods dictated her own, ten days of freedom from his constant fault-finding and ten days of liberty from his selfish if infrequent assaults on her body. Her marriage although in the beginning promising so much had only delivered disappointment. Firstly she was childless although to hear both his and his mother's accusations it was all Katie's fault despite her medical checks showing otherwise. He typically had not felt the need to be tested himself being absurdly confident in his own masculinity. All that might have been bearable if only she respected the man but even that proved to be impossible when she discovered that he was self opinionated, boorish and ill mannered. However the final nail in the breakdown of their relationship was his inability to satisfy her in bed. Not that he ever acknowledged any deficiency on his part, particularly the last. Any attempt to explain what she needed during sex was brushed aside by his unshakeable confidence in his own prowess which consisted of minimal foreplay followed by penetration in the missionary position leading to his own early orgasm and then a rapid descent into sleep. Left lying there listening to him snoring Katie was left frustrated and wakeful. So in the end she decided to get a job. .............. Katie was a very bright young woman with a good degree but, as she soon found out after her absence from the job market, the only work now available was as a typist. At least working for an agency gave her plenty of variety and got her out of the house even when her husband was away on behalf of his employer which seemed these days to be more often than not. On the second day at the new assignment things became less hectic and not being part of the regular team meant that she was twiddling her thumbs for chunks of the time so on the third day she made sure she took something to read. She had taken a break to use the toilet and returned to her desk just in time to find a member of staff waiting. It was a man she hadn't met until now and in her confusion Katie was glad to sit down for her knees had immediately threatened to give way completely. He was drop dead gorgeous and his voice instantly sent messages straight to her frustrated sexual organs. "Hi, we haven't met before. I'm Chris Doherty." "I'm Katie. Can I do anything for you?" Anything, she thought, I'll do anything at all. "I have a report which needs to be prepared urgently and both typists are up to their ears already so could you possibly get me off the hook?" "When's it got to go out?" "Tomorrow night if you can manage it." He had leant forward and she was virtually drowning in his liquid eyes and the elusive after shave so her voice shook when she replied. "I'll...argh...do my...best." "I'm sure you will. Thank you so much, that's grand." However she was well into the text before discovering a problem with which the other secretaries couldn't help. "Go and see him," said one, "sure we'll cover for you on the switchboard." "Where do I find Mr Doherty?" "His office is on the left down the far end." Katie tapped on the door and he waved her in while still talking on the phone. She stood before the desk until he gestured for her to take a seat. She had seen his eyes travel down her long legs then up to her breasts which were outlined that day in a tight sleeveless cotton top. The long lingering look caused her to involuntarily raise her chin not missed by the senior executive who smiled as he replaced the receiver. "Problems?" "I can't make this section out." He came round his desk and bent to look over her shoulder but was forced to steady her shaking hand with his own in order to read the paragraph out loud. His breath in her ear then made her doubly dizzy and she had to concentrate hard as he verbally corrected the text. "Do you think it will be ready before you go home tonight?" "I think so," she managed to get out, "that is if I don't get too many incoming calls." Later he came out to reception just as the junior staff were leaving for the night. Katie was still hard at it. "How are you doing?" His voice was considerate but she detected a deeper concern that the report might not be completed. "Half an hour, maybe three quarters, should see it finished." "Oh that's a pity, I would have liked to go through it tonight." She gulped and then committed herself. "Look I've got nothing to rush home for so I'll stay on until it's finished." "Would you, that's very kind but I have to go to a meeting..." He broke off to reconsider his movements. "...Although I could come back later to pick it up." "Where's your meeting?" He mentioned a place which was on her way home, or at least not that far out of her way. "I'll tell you what, I'll finish up then deliver a copy to you on my way home." "Are you sure?" His eyes were trying to tell if she was happy with the offer but apparently satisfied he made another suggestion. "Do you know a restaurant called 'Carpe Diem'?" "Yes." "Then I'll meet you there at eight." Katie was ten minutes late having had problems parking but he waved from a table at the rear as she made her way through the crowd of drinkers. He then stood to greet her arrival which was not something her husband ever bothered to do and as she sank into a chair he poured his saviour a glass of wine. "Let me buy you dinner, it's the least I can do for that." He pointed at the manilla envelope which she had placed on the table. "Thank you, it will save me cooking for myself. What are you having?" "Sea Bass and a green salad with a side of French Fries." "Perfect, I'll have the same please." For a moment she had grown light headed at her daring in deciding to eat out with this man but he was easy company and by the time they were onto coffee she found that he had with great subtlety persuaded Katie to tell her life story. However at some point she became ashamed to have been so critical of her absent husband. After all she had said 'yes' to his proposal of marriage and again said 'yes' in the church so she must make the best of it. "I'm sorry to have burdened you with all that, it must be the wine that's loosened my tongue." "I doubt that. If you want my opinion I think you are to be congratulated for being so long-suffering." He reached out and briefly touched her hand. "From what little I've seen of you he doesn't seem to appreciate what a gem he's got." "But you have only known me for twelve hours at the most." "Enough to recognise your thoughtfulness and inner beauty." Now she was thoroughly embarrassed and immediately blushed to the roots of her hair but he was unrepentant. "I'm sorry if I've been outspoken but it's true." "I don't think I have any of the qualities you mentioned but thank you for dinner and if you bring me your alterations first thing in the morning I can make any corrections needed." He walked with her to the car and she drove off high on adrenalin. In fact so aroused was Katie that even before she got home she was already weaving the encounter into a satisfying sexual fantasy. ............ Katie woke energised that Thursday morning and bounced around getting ready for work. Not even a sour telephone call from her husband could dent her high spirits. "What's the time in Singapore?" She could sense his bad mood from even half a world away. "What? Oh the time, it's tea time. Why? "Just interested." But then she got the reason for his difficult mood. "I rang you last night but there was no answer." It was an accusation rather than a friendly enquiry. "I went to the pictures." "Alone, you know how dangerous that can be." For 'dangerous' she thought, read 'likely to get picked up'. "No I went with my sister." She made a mental note to warn Grace. But for once all this ill will did not remotely disturb her equilibrium and she was already at her desk when Chris arrived and promptly asked one of the other women to cover the board. "Could you come through for a minute so I can give you the revisions." At one point their hands touched before she regained the safety of her seat in reception and logged on to the word processor. But it was a minute before her brain could get into gear because he had unwittingly touched the very hand which had been busy the night before between her legs. Finally having completed the report, got his signature, printed everything off in duplicate, comb bound the document and delivered it into the hands of the courier, she was able to relax. One of the lads in the office bought her in a lunchtime sandwich and she sat in the near deserted place gathering her thoughts. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Chris had appeared silently to perch on one of the visitor's chairs. "No of course not, I'm just having a quick bite." She might not have had much experience with men but she had more than enough to realise that he found her interesting. Why he should feel that way she hadn't a clue but was happy to accept whatever occurred. They talked for ten minutes or so as he delved deeper into her life exploring her likes and dislikes. "You look very fit?" He was evidently curious. "I play Camogie." "Oh, women's hurling. No wonder you're so trim, but I have to say that the few times I've watched a game it seemed to be nothing short of a blood bath." "That's why we wear helmets and shin pads, but what do you do for relaxation?" It was a sign of her growing ease in his presence that she could seek to know more of him. "Squash is my passion." "Are there any courts here in the City?" "Oh yes. In fact I'm playing tonight." In retrospect she realised that this was the turning point in their relationship when she then spoke entirely without conscious volition. "Can I come and watch. I've never seen a game of squash." He replied without hesitation as his face lit up in pleasure. "I would like that. I'll come for you about sixish and we can walk to the club." She spent the afternoon being amazed at her effrontery but also in a perceptible state of arousal but the interminable wait was eventually ended when they travelled down in the lift together. "Are you married?" She asked out of the blue wondering as she spoke why it had never occurred to her before. "No." It was said without any discernable emotion until he continued in a now brittle voice, "I was stood up at the altar." But it was then that the lift doors opened and any chance to follow up was gone for the moment. Katie watched enthralled as Chris was narrowly beaten by one of the club professionals and then sat nursing a drink when he disappeared to shower and dress. It was no good denying that she was now feeling a powerful lust for this man that she had only known for a few days, and watching his sweat soaked muscular body perform eventually resulted in one of those sudden gentle orgasms which could steal up without warning. Indeed if she had allowed herself the luxury of deeper thought she might have realised that she was actually already head over heels in love. He took her to an "All Bar One" to eat and by the time they walked to her car she was ready to rip his clothes off. "Get in for a moment," her voice was thick with desire in the darkness of the car park. Aghast at her temerity she pulled him across the hand brake and kissed him deeply. She had wanted to taste his lips ever since their first meeting so her greedy tongue explored his mouth voraciously until they eventually had to break for air. "Are you sure this is what you want?" By now his voice was charged with emotion. "Oh yes." This was the point of no return but she welcomed everything which might ensue. "I would have liked the first time we make love properly to be in more comfortable surroundings but until then can you bear to do something for me here and now?" He laughed in her ear. "But what about me?" "I'm afraid that you'll have to show me how." For some unknown reason this seemed to amuse Chris but all was forgotten as he began to caress her breasts. Somehow he had released them from the half bra and between the actions of his own searching tongue and that of his delicate thumb and fore finger her nipples had grown rock hard. Katie was still devouring his mouth when he raised her skirt and her legs opened wide to welcome his hand. It cupped her mound and her hips rose to greet the invader. Having broken away to sigh in appreciation her tongue returned to play with his as two fingers began rubbing softly on either side of her clitoris and then ringed the rim of her vagina. "Oh that's heaven." To be in the arms of a man who knew what a woman needed was pure bliss and she was almost disappointed when she felt her orgasm approaching. She had so wanted to prolong this new and beautiful sensation but all too soon discovered that she could not have delayed the finale even had she wanted. By this time Chris had slipped the same two fingers into her vagina and found a spot which was driving her headlong towards a climax. Her hips bucked and her head fell back as she came, and came, and came, leaving her gasping and thoroughly satiated. She was still trembling in his arms when she remembered that he must be in need of relief. Getting herself together Katie tentatively put a hand on his groin and felt the captive member and being familiar with men's clothing if not the act of fellation she soon released his erection. But what came next was something in which she was totally unversed. She knew in theory what to do but how to cope with the ejaculation was her initial worry. However that was for the future and now she was just enjoying the process of milking him. With her head buried in Chris's lap she felt him approach the edge and in the excitement of the moment simply took everything in her mouth. It tasted slightly musky, a bit salty, but not in anyway unpleasant so she swallowed the lot. Later and having restored their clothes to some sense of order she leant into his embrace. "Thank you Chris." In reply he simply kissed her ear but she was still worried at what he thought of her performance. "Did I do everything right?" He laughed and hugged her closer. "It was just perfect." ................. The next day there was no morning call from her husband although the phone did ring as she quit the shower. She picked up at the fourth or fifth warble. "Hello?" But there was no reply. "Hello?" She tried again. Could she hear breathing at the other end? No it must be one of those annoying automated sales calls so she replaced the receiver without giving it another thought. It was not long after Katie had opened up the switchboard that Chris rang in to confirm he was out of the office and in meetings for the day. Her heart sank but she was mollified to some extent when he suggested they meet at the Squash Club on the Saturday evening provided she was free. She had already successfully banished her disappointment in favour of pleasurable anticipation when her sister rang to offer a bit of Friday night retail therapy. Grace was waiting in the ground floor Foyer where they embraced. "I like late night shopping," her sister giggled, "that's why I work so hard to earn the pennies." Grace was in some respects completely the opposite to her sister. A year and a bit older they were like two peas from a pod in appearance but Grace was outgoing and confident, glad to be both single and desirable, and above all proud of her status as a high roller in this money driven city. "I can't afford that." Grace was holding a dress up against Katie who had suddenly spied the price tag. "Come and try it on." There was no denying her sister so Katie gave in. She thought there's no harm in just dreaming but when she appeared walking on air the sight was not lost on her perceptive sibling. "The shoes aren't right of course but that dress was made for you." "Well maybe, but it's nice to daydream if only for a moment." "That man," Grace sniffed expressively, "earns more than enough to buy you something like this." "No he doesn't." This was a recurring argument not helped by the fact that although Katie had no idea what salary her husband earned Grace would undoubtedly know pretty much to the exact Euro. "Well I shall pay and that's an end to it." Then they went for a drink where they sat surrounded by designer bags and sipping cocktails. The conversation was totally confined to sister talk until Grace paused with her eyes directed over Katie's shoulder. "Don't look now but there's a totally gorgeous fella heading our way." "Hello." It was the voice of the man who lately occupied all Katie's thoughts. "I thought I caught sight of a woman I know but now realise that I was mistaken," then as he drew closer, "my god you are so alike you could be twins." Although only staying a moment to be introduced to Grace he spent the whole time looking deep into Katie's eyes before pulling himself together and indicating a small group of men across the room. "Please excuse me, I'm with some business friends but I'll see you tomorrow night Katie." She watched him leave knowing that her cheeks were burning. "You've slept with him." Grace's face was a study as she went straight for the jugular. "No, but damn near." Katie was suddenly filled with pride that he of all men found her attractive. "But will you?" "Oh yes." A Painful Divorce .............. The Saturday morning brought a telephone call. Although not from her husband it did explain the silent call of the previous day. She had lifted the receiver feeling sure it would be from Singapore but it was a female voice that Katie didn't recognise. "Shaun won't be coming back to you." "Who is this?" "He's mine now and there's nothing you can do about it." "I think you've got the wrong number." "Mrs Katie Fletcher?" "Yes?" "Well say goodbye to your husband, you've lost him to me." The caller then abruptly disconnected leaving Katie shaking with fury. What was that all about and who the hell was she? Although her mind was in a turmoil Katie retained enough sense to ring Grace immediately and relate the contents of the strange call. "As your lawyer I can only advise you to be careful until we get to the bottom of this." "Get to the bottom of what?" "The person who phoned you was Shaun's bit on the side." "Ah, so that's what you think this is all about." She broke off then as the certainty contained in her sister's voice hit home. "How long have you known about this?" "Three or four months." "Bloody hell...but why have I got to be careful?" "It seems to me that if he intends to leave you for this woman then you must stick tight to the house and also give him no grounds for divorce." Katie was struck dumb so Grace became worried. "Are you still there luvvie?" "Yes, I'm just very shocked. It's a lot to take in all at once." "Well my darling, you would be far better off without Shaun but for god's sake talk to that lovely man I met last night and warn him what's happening." ............. Chris had already played his match when she arrived at the club and went over feeling unsure of the welcome she would receive. But she was buoyed up when he kissed her tenderly. "I thought I was seeing double last night." "It sometimes causes problems." "I bet. But what do you want to do tonight?" There was no doubt in her mind what she needed but the days events were causing Katie to reign in all previous expectations. "Chris you know what I want," Katie was surprised at her daring, "but something happened today which I must tell you about." "Okay, then we need somewhere quiet. Is it alright if I invite you back to my place?" "That sounds perfect." "Come on then, we'll use your car because I came in a taxi." She was mute for the short ride and realising her mood he kept equally silent although having to fight hard not to take her hand in an attempt to heal the obvious hurt. But when they were finally in his sitting room she came back to life. "Oh what a marvellous view." She was looking out at the River Liffey visible through the floor to ceiling glazing. "It is pretty amazing and keeps reminding me how lucky I am." He then showed considerable skill in rustling up a couple of omelettes and they sat at the breakfast bar to eat. "Now out with it. Tell me all." But still she hesitated not wanting to be over confident at her position in his life until finally taking a deep breath she launched into an explanation. "I must say first of all that we have only known each other for a few days," he broke in to say "four days going on five," which forced her to smile before continuing, "and you owe me nothing." He had taken her hand and interrupted again when she paused to take a breath. "It may have only been a short while but it's long enough to be entirely certain that I love you." Her eyes immediately filled with tears which she dashed away with the napkin. "Say that again." "I love you." So she had not misheard him. It then, not surprisingly, took her an appreciable time to collect her thoughts but the eventual reply was heartfelt. "And I love you." She was now reduced to a bout of unattractive snivelling but he seemed not to notice. "So tell me what has got you into such a state." "I had a phone call at home this morning......" Katie then recounted everything including her conversation with Grace and leaving nothing out. Chris remained silent the whole time evidently concentrating hard as his first tentative question soon made clear. "Does Shaun have any reason to suspect that you know about this woman?" "No, that is unless she confesses to ringing me." "And does he think that you have extramarital affairs?" "How could you ask me that?" "Don't be annoyed my love. I merely ask if he is the jealous sort?" "Okay, sorry. No, I don't believe it would ever occur to him that I might have a mind of my own." "So he is unlikely to have had you followed?" "You mean by a private detective." He nodded and her mind raced at the thought even as Chris summed up. "On the whole it would seem unlikely, but I think you need to talk in more detail with that clever sister of yours, and we must be careful where we meet." "You still want to see me despite all this?" He smiled at the sudden fear in her voice. "Oh I think so." She punched his shoulder. "Stop it, I'm serious." "Ouch...that hurt...Look, I love you and that's that." She looked at him under her eyelashes. "Is that your bedroom through there?" He got the message immediately and she left her food half eaten. Katie went through to the bathroom. "Can I have a shower first?" She raised her voice to be heard. "Only if I can join you?" He came in with a pile of fresh towels and a couple of bathrobes and having put them down she found herself in his arms. "I want to undress you." Her head was pressed against his chest where she could feel his heart thumping. "Yes please." Where had this new found confidence suddenly appeared from? Had it been hidden somewhere waiting to be unlocked by this Prince Charming who was now carefully unbuttoning her blouse? He slipped it off her shoulders and backed off to hang the garment on a hook his eyes never leaving hers. She watched his hands then reach out to unclip her bra and heard his sigh as he cupped the now unfettered breasts. "Beautiful, they're just beautiful." She shivered at the depth of emotion in his voice and felt her nipples harden in his palms. They were now stood facing each other with his head bent to admire her milk white skin while Katie simply felt delirious with happiness, every worry now discarded. Chris then knelt and ran his hands gently down to her slender waist before unclipping the skirt and opening the zip. He let the material slide with a rustle to the floor but this time it was Katie who audibly sucked in a gulp of air as he buried his head in her groin. "Chris wait, I need to shower first." But he was deaf to the entreaty and merely removed her cotton panties to kiss the treasures revealed. "Stop darling. Please don't kiss me down there until I've washed." She hauled him up beside her and pushed him over to the cubicle where he set the temperature of the power shower under which she immediately ducked. Meanwhile Chris shucked off his own clothes. Katie giggled as he joined her with an impressive erection preceding his entry. "I think that needs soaping." She had already reached out with a sponge in her hand when he reacted. "Wait my love, all in good time otherwise I might loose control." He moved her arms away and took the sponge from her grasp. His subsequent journey down her body was full of wonder but when he seemed to forget his original purpose she was finally forced to soap them both. Later having got it wet yet again she shampooed her hair and was entirely unconcerned at the rats tails which were left when he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. "I think it's time," he murmured in her ear, "but let me feel if you're ready." "Of course I am," she wriggled as his finger explored, "It seems that I've been wet ever since the first moment we met." Later as she lay beneath his recumbent body Katie was struck by the feeling that she was truly happy for the first time in a good few years and her arms involuntarily gripped Chris tighter as she exalted in the contact of their sweat slicked bodies and above all in his obvious love for her. Then she raised her hips and passion took over once again to drive all extraneous thoughts from her mind. "Chris...Chris...Fill me full...make me pregnant." ............. Shaun rang at seven on Sunday morning forcing Katie to swim up from the depths to answer. Her body felt languorous and totally satisfied. "I rang last night and you didn't answer?" His voice was both petulant and critical. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you expected me to stay at home just in case you were able to ring." "Don't try to be clever, you aren't very good at it, and anyway I tried your mobile as well." "It was probably turned off." She was damned if she was going to offer any excuse. "So where were you?" "I was out fucking another man." "See, now you're just trying to be clever again." Katie let that go and tried something less controversial. "So how's it going in Singapore?" "Okay I suppose." Why did she ever bother? "I'm meeting Grace tomorrow night after work but I'll make sure that my mobile is on." "Good, see that you do." Was it just her newly suspicious mind or did he sound different, distracted perhaps? ........... In the office at the start of the second week she was amazed that she managed to do anything without making a mess of it. Chris had arrived not long after her and it took all Katie's willpower not to fly into his arms when he called out 'good morning troops as he swept through to his own office. "God but that lovely man was surely made to warm a needy woman's bed." This was from the older secretary but she was only saying out loud what all three women were thinking. But fortunately Katie was not required to contribute as the younger woman then gave her opinion. "No chance of him climbing into any of our beds ladies for he's never been known to mix work with pleasure." They managed to stay apart for great chunks of their time in the office and when they passed in the corridors it was with the merest acknowledgement so she welcomed the end of the working day and sped off to meet her sister. "You did the deed didn't you, sure I can see it written all over your love struck face." They were in a taxi going down O'Connell Street and were about to cross the bridge. "Grace it was absolutely grand, I had no idea how good it could be to have sex with a considerate man and one you love." "And how would you ever know having only ever slept with that slug Shaun." When they were seated in the restaurant Katie recounted the Sunday morning telephone conversation particularly the part where she had claimed to have 'fucked' another man. "You didn't really say that, did you?" "I did and he just complained that I was trying to be clever." "When is Shaun due back?" "Wednesday or Thursday. Why?" "That baggage of his lives here in Dublin so you will have to be very careful from now on." Katie was so wrapped up with thoughts of her lover that she failed to see the real significance of what her twin had said until the penny suddenly dropped. "You mean I can't see Chris?" "I mean precisely that." "Ah Jesus then how will I manage to survive?" Katie was horrified at the thought but soon accepted that a temporary parting was necessary. "It might already be too late but let's hope for the best." "Every time I look around now I'll be worried that I'm being watched. It might be that woman over there or the man at the bar who's obviously just pretending to be waiting for a friend?" "Stop it or you'll go mad and don't use the phone at home or even your mobile to ring Chris because it will show up on the bill. If you can't bear to be totally out of contact then buy a 'pay as you go' mobile and give your new man's address for the invoice." So on her way to work that Tuesday morning she stopped off and bought a phone putting one hundred Euros in cash onto the Sim card. She later found an excuse to be in the region of Chris's office and slipped in to give him the number and relate what Grace had said. "Okay, we'll have to be careful until your husband's fate is settled but then I wont answer for my actions." Chris rang her after supper and asked what she was doing. "I'm just getting into bed." "What are you wearing?" She had already melted at the first sound of his voice but this query completely turned her on. "Nothing." "Oh god, nothing at all?" His voice had thickened instantly. "I never wear anything in bed." "And are you lying down yet?" "I am now." "Were you going to touch yourself?" She giggled because her hand was already exploring. "Of course. Are you?" "What do you think?" "I think we are having our first telephone sex." Chris was not in the office on Wednesday but in the afternoon her new mobile rang. "Are you alone?" She knew it would be Chris for he was the only person with the number. "Yes." "Is he coming home today?" "I haven't heard from Shaun so maybe it will be tomorrow." But when Katie got home her husband was sitting waiting. ........... Despite her simmering anger she remained cool and merely sat down opposite feeling curious as to what he would say. The silence built but she felt no urge to break it for surprisingly she was actually enjoying his obvious discomfort. But it was the strident shrill of the telephone which eventually broke the impasse. He stood as if relieved to be moving and lifted the receiver. "Hello?" She watched closely and saw his face change as he listened. "No I haven't had chance yet." He listened again before speaking. "Of course." Shaun slowly put the phone down and returned to his seat obviously determined not to catch her eye which was when Katie finally decided to attack. "Was that your fancy woman?" She spoke matter of factly no longer caring anything for him or his reaction. Shaun's behaviour over the past few years had driven away any remaining fondness that remained but true to type he retaliated vindictively. "She's twice the woman you will ever be." Katie ignored the intended malice and brought matters to a head. "So what have you decided?" "Well first of all you must move out." Katie recoiled visibly. So he did think that she was stupid. "And why would I do something so foolish?" Even he was forced to pause and re-evaluate the situation but she was remorseless. "Did you really think that you could browbeat me into leaving my home so your tart can move in?" She could see the impotent rage building within him and like his father before he gave way to the only behaviour he understood. He was at her before she could react and the first blow from his fist caught her on the temple and the second on her jaw which was when she slid to the ground only hearing in the distance the insistent sound of their front door bell which undoubtedly saved her from more serious injury. Katie came back to her senses prone on the marital bed with the family doctor tending her aching face. "What's the damage?" She croaked. "You have a severely cut and bruised face but I am glad to say that neither your skull nor your jaw are fractured." Grace's face then appeared from behind the doctor. Her sister spoke bitterly. "He could have killed you if I hadn't arrived." The doctor was finishing up when he commented from long experience. "There are far too many men about who resort to using their fists." But Grace would have none of it. "Yes and why? Because they have been brought up by their mammies to believe that the sun shines out of their arses." When she had shown the man out Grace returned toting her smart phone and took a series of photo's. "What are you doing?" Katie was horrified. "I'm collecting evidence for the divorce court." Katie suddenly remembered her husband. "Oh god where is Shaun?" "Gone. He hadn't even unpacked his case so he just threw it in the car and fled like the coward he is." "Grace, thank you. What would I do without you. But how did you know to come at that very moment?" "It was just that sister thing, you know what I mean, we both have it." Katie lay back with her face hurting abominably but then started up again. "What about Chris?" "I found your new mobile in the bottom of your handbag and rang him. He wanted to come round straight way but I dissuaded him. Not without difficulty I might add but I also managed to talk him out of squaring up to Shaun which would have blown everything." "Do you think Shaun will come back?" Katie really meant will he come back and hit me again. "He might try but I've already had the locksmith round to change everything. The new keys are on the hook in the kitchen and I've taken one for the front door." Later Grace came to the bedside again to discover Katie half asleep but still conscious. "Here's your new mobile, I'll leave it on the side table in case you need it." She fussed at the bedclothes before leaving with a last comment. "I'll be back in the morning to see how you're getting on but I may be a bit late because I need to go into my office first." Katie heard the outside door close as her mobile rang. "Hello darling," she croaked. "Are you alright?" "Bruised and battered but the doctor says that nothing is broken." "Thank God." "Grace was wonderful." "Yes, she's been lecturing me over the phone so I'm a bit calmer than I was when I first heard what the bastard did to you." "I'm afraid we will have to stay away from each other until she say's it's okay to meet." "Fair enough but that's going to be hard." "Ain't it just," she tried to giggle but the pain cut in, "so it's phone sex for the moment." This time he managed to summon up a laugh which she interrupted. "But not now my sweet, I hurt far too much." By the time Katie heard the key in the lock on the following morning she had already struggled into the shower and dressed herself but the thought of food turned her stomach. So when she came through to the kitchen and Grace poured hot water into the cafettiere she refused the offer of toast. "Don't stare at me, I look a sight." And indeed she did with the one side of her face swollen and rapidly turning an angry shade of yellow. "Never mind, it's all in a good cause as it happens." "What do you mean?" "The divorce of course." Katie was by now sitting apathetically and unable to turn her mind to anything but clearly something was still working if only at a subliminal level. "I must ring the agency." "I've done it already, they are sending someone else for the last couple of days." Katie had subsided again but Grace was here on a mission and would not be deflected. "I've had my suspicions about Shaun for some time so for the last six months he's been watched," this announcement jolted her sister back to full attention, "and it's proved money well spent." "Jesus, so you've already had private detectives on his tail?" "Yup, so I know who this mystery woman is and we have all the evidence needed to prove adultery." "Who is she?" "A married woman from over Clontarf way. Her husband works for the same firm as Shaun and they met at some company do. You were probably there when he first clapped eyes on the woman." "I don't remember anything like that." "Why would you? Anyway he takes her away with him on his jaunts around Ireland so we've got plenty of proof." She finished her coffee then began again. "My trip to the office this morning was to arrange the immediate serving of divorce papers and to take out a restraining order on Shaun which did not meet with any difficulty because he beat you so badly. Anyway, from now on he can't come within a mile of you." A Painful Divorce .......... It was three months after the divorce papers had been filed before Grace would allow Katie to meet with Chris. Since the night Shaun had beaten up his wife the clandestine lover's contact had been confined to the secret mobile phone and delightful as the remote sex had been it was no substitute for the real thing. Katie dressed carefully for the occasion thankful that the bruising had completely gone. Shaun had taken his company car with him so she had rung for a taxi and at Chris's suggestion also packed an overnight bag. He used the remote entry phone to let her into the building and was waiting on the landing. She came out of the lift and straight into his outstretched arms. "This is where you belong my love, I'll never let you go again." THE END