She was the perfect wife, until ...
I am so excited - The Politician's Wife is now live!
Who will you choose? Her apologetic husband? Her younger lover? The older suitor who has been waiting patiently?
You got to know Susannah. You met James and Lloyd. Now, here is Chris. What do you need to know about Chris Lowe? Well, for a start, he is James' Chief of Staff and has had a crush on Susannah for years.
Part 1: The Devoted Wife - Pressed into hiding
Susannah
“Gabby, it’s mum. Look, I need to get away – the fridge is full and there are a couple of lasagnas in the freezer. Look after your sister and I’ll talk to you soon.”
Susannah didn’t trust herself to wait until the girls arrived before leaving. She didn’t want to resent them if they returned happy from being spoilt by their grandparents. She also didn’t want the guilt if they appeared confused or upset.
An old brass key lay at the bottom of her bag. Her father’s old fishing cabin at the lake. Hours away from everywhere. She and James used to hide away when they were dating, but truly it was her happy place. To sit amongst the trees, listen to the bell birds sing all day. Drop a line in the lake and pretend to care when she didn’t catch anything.
Everyone knew where the cabin was, but very few knew how much it meant to her peace of mind. No one would think to look for her there – and yet, if they knew her well enough, they would.
Not needing to dress for anyone else, she packed a spare pair of jeans, shorts, a couple of pairs of undies and an old jumper that reminded her of sitting on the bleachers at a football game. Oversized and stretched beyond recognition – she could curl her knees inside by the fireplace.
Whatever food from the fridge could fit in an old esky cooler came with her. From memory, the pantry at the cabin would have enough tins of food and a stocked freezer to keep her going for days if not weeks.
She spent more time selecting which wines to take than either her clothes or food. James built quite a collection, each bottle labeled with the special occasion he wanted it saved for. Empty spaces where Grange celebrated children graduating high school, she took the two for celebrating graduating university. Others for leaving home, getting married and having their own babies. Rows of bottles purchased when they still had a future.
At the back she found the “Suzie” collection. Bottles to celebrate her first client, first year in business, first million dollar client, first million dollar turnover. Sadly she packed them away. Either he forgot ever buying them, or he didn’t realize she exceeded all these goals years ago.
An hour after arriving at the cabin, Susannah regretted not being better prepared. At the very least, she should have picked up a load of wood on the way up – but part of her plan was to pay cash and leave no trail. Instead, she made do with lugging fallen branches and cutting them down with an old saw she found in the shed.
Getting a fire started and keeping it burning gave her a focus. She even forgo using the toaster, instead holding the bread over the flames with the metal tongs until they became too hot to handle.
With no one to watch and to be impressed, she spent the days as she wished. Crying if she wanted to – as loudly or as softly as the need overtook her. She watched the currawongs fight the smaller peewees for food, cheering when they were run off when more of the peewees joined in.
She took the small boat out on the lake, letting it drift until the light dimmed and she was ready to return home, to her cabin.
For the next week, her only contact with the outside world was with her daughters – and then only by text. They knew she was safe and needed time. James called twice – wanting her to sign the press releases. His office called several times.
Chris Lowe kept calling but leaving no messages. Until his text, “S – I need to talk to you. Put the billy on.”
Not the kettle, or jug. Not “turn the coffee machine on”. No, the deliberate term of the billy meant he knew she had gone bush.
Her hair hadn’t been brushed in days – about the same time since she had showered. But if she was about to have company, she’d better get some fresh food in and before she dared to set foot in a shop, some soap and water would need to be introduced back to her body!
Hair pulled back, no makeup and old clothes proved a perfect disguise. James and his whore – no, must now start thinking of her as his “girlfriend” – were still front-page news. Both had gone to ground, so the original photos and footage were being rehashed. In some of the press, Susannah had become the story – what does the wife think? Will the wife leave him or stand by her man?
Susannah wished the wife knew the answers but wasn’t in the mood to buy a magazine and get the experts’ advice.
Sliced deli meats, fresh bread sticks, and marshmallows for roasting. On impulse, she dropped some cheeses in her basket. For years she had suppressed her cravings for cheese because of James and his lactose intolerance. Now, the purchase of five different types was her own little rebellion.
It would almost be a shame if Chris did arrive at the cabin – all she needed was a good book – preferably one where the undeserving met a violent and timely end – and a platter of finger food to pick from.
For the first time in a week, she felt peaceful. Things still weren’t okay – but she felt ready to deal with them.
If only James didn’t look so happy with his … new girlfriend.
Christopher
He had waited a week for everything to settle down.
For James to come to his senses and realize what a wonderful woman he had in Susannah, and only a fool would walk away for a narcissistic scatterbrain like Lara.
For the party to realize they had backed the wrong horse and to support Susannah – not only out of loyalty to her family but because she had been the strength and brains behind every one of James’ campaigns. She was the one who recognized and thanked every volunteer – sent hand made cards on birthdays and congratulated them on their children and even grand children’s achievements.
He had even waited for Susannah to do the unthinkable – forgive her husband and stand by his side in the glare of the cameras and public judgement.
The party had started to panic because not only couldn’t they control her – but they couldn’t even find her. At first, they thought she had run away to her parents’ farm. But a quick “welfare check” proved that theory wrong. Only when James confronted their daughters and they didn’t even know where she was, did he check the credit card bills for a clue.
Nothing.
Forced by his daughter’s lack of knowledge and party concern, James decided to take some sort of delayed action.
“I’m being slaughtered in the press, we need to change the narrative,” James kept asking them to do the impossible. Unfortunately, the story was too delicious for the media to drop. Especially when Lara appeared more glamourous every time she stepped out of the unit she now shared with James. Even more so because no one had heard from the wife.
“Sorry, sir, the party has decided to hold any policy announcements until they are confident of getting airplay,” Lara’s temporary replacement never expected to be thrown into this volcano as her first job. Unfortunately, since James refused to sack Lara or permanently move her aside, all they could get was a young temp.
“Then put out another statement in my name.”
“Sir, the media don’t want to hear from you,” the girl stuttered, looking around for support. Damn it, Chris couldn’t let her sink because of her boss.
“James, what she means to say is that we have been getting numerous requests to hear from Susannah, whether or not she is releasing a statement or giving an interview. Until she does, I’m afraid it will be difficult for you to get any other message out there.” Perfect political speak. Unfortunately, it only served to further frustrate and enrage James.
“Then do something,” James never usually raised his voice, not to him and definitely not in front of others.
“We are certainly trying, the team has a 30 day communication plan we can put into action as soon as Susannah has …”
“I’m not interested in plans, I want action.”
The louder James got, the softer Chris responded, conscious that the other staff were looking to him for reassurance and how to act.
“We need to wait for Susannah.”
“Chris, you fuckwit, find her.” James yelled at him, in front of the entire staff. Chris watched as they collectively inhaled and took a step away from their boss. This time, James had gone too far.
“No,” a quietly spoken response.
“Did you hear what I said? Find my wife and tell her to get her ass back here and help me clean up this mess.”
“Sir, with respect, you need to let her work through what she wants to do. She’ll come back when she is ready.”
“Either get her back here, or issue the press release in her name. I’m being crucified. The party wants to start damage control and the first step is her statement.”
“Sir, I’m not going to send something out in Mrs Dawson’s name that she didn’t approve.”
“Chris, you might think you are family because you have eaten at my table, but I am here to tell you not to forget your place. You are not her friend, you work for me. I’m not asking – I’m telling.”
“I regretfully decline.”
“And I’m being as clear as I can possibly be – do your fucking job. Issue the release and find my wife.”
Standing to take his punishment, Chris was taller than James who towered over most people. Solidly built, he flexed in the knowledge that the only thing that saved James from ending on the floor was his own quiet dignity and upbringing.
He felt the blush of anger creep up his neck and only calmed after the decision was made.
He hadn’t liked James the man in years, only staying out of respect for the party and his own regard for Susannah. Who deserved better and now, thanks to the stupidity of her husband, could do better.
Chris sniggered as he looked around at the ashen faces. Everyone knew their careers were linked to their boss. Already some were trying to arrange coffee with other offices, looking for opportunities. Unfortunately, partners needed to be able to trust their spouse and their spouse’s staff. Everyone had become tainted by hiding James and Lara’s affair.
Susannah. Not at the farm, but hiding away. Somewhere she could be anonymous and get by with cash.
Suddenly, Chris knew exactly where to find her – only he didn’t want to find her for James. James and Lara deserved each other. Susannah deserved to be free to fly.
Susannah deserved to know she had options, and not all of them were cheating bastards.
“S – I need to talk to you. Put the billy on,” he texted. He walked around the room, shaking some hands hugging others. Most of them had worked together through two or three campaigns. They were like family.
James glared at him as the reality of what he was doing dawned. As he thanked staff one by one for their friendship and support, personal messages for their family who he regarded as his own, tears began to fall.
The hugs became longer, the realization he didn’t need to submit anything in writing to make it official.
“James, we’ve stood by you through sick and through sin,” a few chuckles, “But I am not going to issue a press release that you or even worse, Lara, have written and put it out in Susannah’s name. I can’t believe you would even think of doing that to your wife, and right now I am ashamed to be working for you. So I won’t.”
To his credit, James offered to shake his hand. Chris brushed passed it on his way out the door. Finally, he was free to find Susannah and be the first to genuinely apologize for letting her down.
Susannah
She looked for a strange car as the trees thinned and her cabin came into view. After rushing around to get decent enough to go into town, grabbing some groceries and rushing home, it was almost a let down when Chris wasn’t waiting for her. After thinking she wanted to see him, then wanting to be alone, she was surprised at how guttered she felt at the empty driveway.
Was it too much to hope one person knew her well enough to find her?
No matter.
The fire didn’t take much to start raging again, and after some practice, she worked out how to balance a piece of the breadstick on a poker and hold it ever so close to the heat so the cheese would soften. Perfect.
“Is that for me?” the deep voice from behind her caused the bread and cheese to fall into the flames. As he joined her at the fireside, she watched as the cheese bubbled and melted onto the wood.
“You only had to ask nicely,” she turned into the first comforting arms since it all began.
“Sannah, Sannah, Sannah,” so good to hear her old nickname as she succumbed to his bear hug and the reassuring stroke of her hair. “Been a rough few days.”
Oh, to be held by a man strong enough to crush all her pain. She allowed the waves of emotion to flow over her, confident he could take it and not judge her for being weak or emotional. Tears fell and her body shuddered in full meltdown as he led her to the chaise.
As she calmed, he left her to prepare a fresh piece of bread and she watched as he needed no second chance to hold it the perfect distance from the flame.
“The least I can do,” she broke it in half to share.
“Thanks,” he took a bite, “This is actually really good!”
“Local cheese, local bread and fresh air.”
“Hold that thought,” he cut up the rest of the bread and cooked another couple of slices with the cheese. The rest he put in a platter with the meats she had left on the bench. “Wine or beer?”
“There’s a white open in the fridge, or a bag of reds on the floor.” Two glasses and the bottle joined them on the chaise.
“What will we drink to?” she asked, hoping he wouldn’t destroy the moment by mentioning why she had run away.
“Nothing at all,” the sound of their glasses ringing and fire crackling seemed perfectly normal.
“You found me.”
“Wasn’t hard.”
“No one else has managed it. Or perhaps,” she tried to hide the bitterness, “No one cared enough to try.”
“Sannah, I’ll get to that in a minute, but I’ve been trying to get the courage to talk to you for months.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It was – and then it wasn’t. Now, I don’t know how to say it.”
“Then refill my glass while I cook us more cheese on bread,” she hoped he hadn’t come all this way to convince her to go back home and be the good little wife. In the years Chris worked for James, she felt a connection born from countless campaigns and waking up to see Chris had crashed in the study after a long night for whatever James needed. He was as much a part of her family that sometimes she automatically set a place for him for Sunday dinners. Most of the time she forgot he only worked for James, and really didn’t owe her anything at all.
“Okay,” she handed him another piece, “Talk to me.”
“I’ve known about James and Lara since before they got together.”
“Oh,” she took a large sip of her wine.
“There were signs, and at first I thought he was too smart to fall for her game.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back. Her life had become a train crash that needed reviewing and replaying – where did the wheels actually leave the track?
“She started playing him after her first week in the job. I tried to keep her based in the office, but she made him see the ‘benefit’ in her reporting to him instead of me.”
“Why would you do that?”
“What?”
“Why would you want to keep them apart.”
“Because of you.”
She opened her eyes to see something unfamiliar. His face, his eyes. He looked at her in a way no man, especially her husband, had done in years.
“Me?” Softly, scared of the answer.
“I wanted to protect you and keeping them apart seemed to be the only way.”
Disappointment. He was only doing his job. She took another sip of wine craving the warmth that only it offered.
“Oh, I guess it didn’t work.”
“Sannah, I’m sorry I didn’t stop them, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. You have to believe me, the only person I wanted to protect in this whole situation is,” he ran his lips between his teeth, “You. I wanted to protect you.”
“I deserved to know. I deserved the truth.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I thought he would come to his senses, and you would never need to know.”
“And yet, here we are, and now I know.”
“He wanted me to send out a press release, in your name,” Chris handed her the single piece of paper. She scanned it.
“Is this a joke?” The crumpled paper turned to ashes as she turned back to him, “How dare he!”
“I refused.”
“Oh.”
“I resigned. I can’t promise that no one else will send it out, but I promise you that I couldn’t, and I didn’t.”
“Oh.”
Her heart raced as she tried not to read anything into his words, and his face. It had been too long since she wanted to be wanted by a man other than James. In the minutes of silence, she took in Christopher Lowe, the man not the employee. His eyes, deepset blue with the longest eye-lashes she had ever seen that reached his eyebrows. In rapid succession they twinkled, blinked and clouded over with desire.
“Oh,” she said again, this time with a hint of what she hoped he would see as an encouraging smile. She was too raw, too vulnerable and too needy to make the first move.
“I could never hurt you,” he reached for her hand and she allowed her fingers to play with his palm. Soft skin, strong hands. “Would never hurt you,” his eyes deepened, and she couldn’t look away. Still, their fingers played.
“Oh,” all manner of questions barraged her, but all she could manage was a single word that even to her sounded more like a whimper.
She sat up and touched his face with her free hand, feeling the light stubble down his cheeks, stroking the firm line of his chin. A strong face with the gentlest of eyes. Now their fingers became intertwined with their dance. The fire crackled in the background as sun started it’s descent behind the mountains.
“I only ever stayed … because of … you,” he drew closer as she was unable and unwilling to break his penetrating gaze. Without thinking, her tongue rolled across her lips, moistening them just in case.
“And now?” her fingernails traced the fullness of his mouth.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Phew! Do they? Does she? Is it a rebound or real? Get your copy of The Politician's Wife now - while it is still $2.99!