Jess could only assume Leila’s nightmare had been caused by her time away in Pakistan. Michael had said she’d been rebellious, throwing things and no doubt giving the Kayani woman cause to think again about her trophy child, although a consequence of Leila’s behaviour had been vicious punishment at the hands of her monstrous husband. There was no simple solution. Time was what they needed and she had no idea how long it would take for Leila to forget or at least get over her ordeal, if she ever could.
By morning, the children were almost back to normal and Leila even allowed Jess to help her wash in one of the spare bathrooms, the en suite being temporarily out of commission. It took Jess most of the morning to clean up the bedroom and bathroom, and she called one of the handymen Peter had used to come and replace the broken mirror.
For the rest of that week, they all went upstairs together, and while the girls slept, Jess filled her time sitting on the chaise longue reading from Peter’s extensive collection of books. But she realised this wasn’t sustainable and began to wonder how she’d continue to cope alone in a huge house with three demanding children.
The twins would soon celebrate their fourth birthday and be ready for pre-school, and although Jess still had recurring fears about letting them out of her sight, especially after what had happened to Leila, she knew she’d have to loosen the reins at some point. Similarly, she could not know what, if any, education Leila had had whilst away, and she needed to go to school. She wasn’t sure when the new autumn term started at Chalton Primary, but guessed it was only weeks away, so she resolved to make an appointment with the head teacher and take the girls there to meet her as soon as possible.
***
The following week, Michael rang and suggested they meet again to go through some administrative issues. Much to Emma’s relief, Michael agreed to come over to Chalton so that Jess didn’t have to be parted from the girls. He brought his PA Sandy with him and, having had three children of her own, she was adept at keeping the girls occupied while Jess and Michael were in discussion.
Michael explained that Peter’s estate amounted to approximately six million pounds, half of which was tied up in Chalton Manor, the remainder spread over a wide range of investments that included bonds, shares and cash. Peter’s army pension had died with him but there were plenty of assets to generate a reasonable income, and even if some or all of them had to be liquidated, Michael estimated she could easily live off them for fifty years or so without having to sell the house.
Jess had never heard of so much money. She’d always assumed Peter was comfortably off but had never considered what that might amount to. There was no elation; the money meant nothing to her without Peter, but she took comfort from the fact that, as Peter had intended, they would all be provided for. Nor did she fully understand all the terminology and felt quite bewildered when Michael was trying to explain, but he assured her he would continue to manage her affairs until such time as she became more familiar with them and could do it herself. The one asset she knew only too well was Chalton Manor.
“Michael, I don’t think we can go on living here indefinitely. The place is far too big, costs too much to heat and maintain, and we don’t use more than two or three rooms. We’d be much better off in a small, three-bedroomed cottage or something like that. I’m sad to think of giving up Peter’s house, but it’ll always be Peter’s house to me and I think one day soon, the kids and I will need to have a place we can really call home. I am quite happy to stay in the area, but if we are going to move, I will need some help. Sorry.”
“I quite understand,” said Michael. “It’ll take a while to arrange everything, three to six months maybe, but I’ll get Edward Ross, one of my junior partners, on it. What about all the contents?” Jess looked in dismay around the dining room where they sat at the large mahogany table.
“Gosh. I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Don’t worry, I am sure we can find a home for them somehow.”
“I really am very grateful to you, you know.”
“You’re family, Jess.”
***
They agreed she’d need to take driving lessons and get a car, and she’d need childcare from time to time. Leila would enrol at Chalton Primary and start the following month. Sophie and Lucy would go to pre-school classes in the same building. Although school was just a mile away, in the village, Jess needed to get her own transport as soon as possible.
Michael had already helped her open her own account at the bank and funded it from the balance of Peter’s client account held at his practice. It still had surplus funds left over from the search for Leila. The will had to go through probate, so he explained it would be a while before all Peter’s assets were transferred into her name.
Michael had assumed that she would want Leila’s surname changed to Jeffries and he had brought the requisite forms for Jess to sign. The twins had been born Jeffries, their birth certificates indicating, at Jess’s request, “father unknown”. Jess was more than happy for the respective fathers to be expunged from her memory.
“And I want my marriage annulled,” she declared. She had had no reason to think about it before, but as all the facts had become clear, it took on a new significance. Mo’s behaviour had been even worse than she’d assumed at the time and she didn’t want any further connection between him and her family.
“That won’t be necessary,” said Michael.
“Why not? I want all links severed.”
“You weren’t actually married to Mo, Jess.” She looked at him, uncomprehending. He was simply wrong.
“Yes I was! One of those religious people, an Imam, did it. There were witnesses. Family.”
“You were married under Sharia law but it was never registered. Under British law, your marriage to Mo doesn’t exist.” She sighed and shook her head. She shouldn’t be surprised at anything any more.
“Oh well, that figures. It wasn’t much of a marriage anyway. He was never home and when he was, it was just to—” She broke off, unwilling to complete the sentence. Michael averted his eyes and she saw something in his look, his awkward body language. And then it dawned on her.
“I wasn’t the only one, was I? He had others.”
His silence was all the confirmation she needed. Michael shifted in his seat, but then nodded.
“Under Sharia law, a husband can have up to four wives at any one time.”
She shook her head, no longer astonished at her own naivety.
“It all fits. He wanted boys. Sons, not daughters. So he had several of us. We were just slaves; well, I was.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t be. It makes it all the easier to cope with. Knowing all the facts.”
Michael sighed.
“That’s about it, Jess. Everything is in hand. I’ll get back to you as and when I need signatures or have something to report. If you need anything in the meantime and I’m not available, just call Sandy.”
“Okay, thanks.” And then as an afterthought she asked. “Michael, why don’t you and Emma come over on Sunday for lunch; that is, if Emma can bear it.” They both laughed. “It’s the least I can do for all the help you’ve been.”
“We’d love to,” said Michael.
***
Michael drove Sandy back to the office and then went home. Yet again, he’d failed to confront potentially the biggest issue of all. He’d spent many hours agonising over it and hadn’t come to a firm conclusion. But Jess’s expressed desire to sell Chalton Manor had tipped the balance. It was a game changer. It seemed to him inevitable that he would now have to divulge to Jess one last crucial piece of information. It was his duty, but he could not possibly imagine how she would take it.