Confusion
Sunday morning my Cell-phone started ringing the moment I switched it on. I'd got a whole collection of missed calls and messages, mostly from Caitlin's mobile and our home phone. Plus a couple from Jimmy's phone. I called Jimmy back, and Linda answered.
"Hi Lin, sorry that I had to make that scene last night, but it had to come out sometime. I wanted everyone to know what had been going on."
"Well we certainly all know now! But you left before the finale, Jean had another good rant at Tony after you had gone, and he hit her. She was calling him all kinds of names, he lost his temper and gave her a real back hander, and Jean's got the makings of a right shiner. Phil jumped in and decked Tony, then we called the police, they came and took Tony away. From what Jean said, I gather it wasn't the first time Tony has been violent to her."
"Oh yea, before the police came, Caitlin got at Tony as well and gave him a good kicking in his privates, then he threw up all over our new carpet. Cait was calling him all kinds of names. We couldn't really make much sense out what she was shouting, but we all got the impression that what was going on between her and Tony was not what you would normally call an affair."
"I can guess, Cait's always had a very high sex drive. She's probably decided she just wanted more than I can give her."
"No No. I'm sure its not Caitlin wanting the sex, she appeared to be blaming Tony, She kept calling him names and saying this was all his fault. Unfortunately Caitlin worked herself up into such a state that she went all hysterical on us and was completely incoherent."
"When the police finally arrived they called the paramedics to her, who then got Phil and Carla had to take her to the hospital. Carla called earlier and told us Caitlin had been put under sedation for the night. We were all worried about your kids. Where are they?"
"They're fine, they are with Caitlin's folks for the nght. They'll look after them until she's feeling better."
"What about you, where are you staying? We know your not at home we went around there last night."
"I'm all right. I'm staying with a friend for a few days. I think I've decided to take that job in Devon, I haven't got Caitlin to stop me now, so I might as well go and enjoy playing the big boss."
"You're definitely going to leave Cait and divorce her then?"
"What choice have I got Lin, I'm not staying married to a woman that goes sleeping around, I've got some pride."
"But you still love her don't you?"
"Yes of cousre I love her, more now than when we got married. Well you know all about that, I stood by her then, and soon fell in love with her. I have fallen deeper in love with her every year. To be honest I don't know how I am going to survive without her, but I will have to. Look, I've got to go Lin, I've a hell of a lot to do today, I'll call again you later."
"No wait a minute Roger. I don't know what happened when you were married, but I do know you two have always made a wonderful couple. As long as I've known you, you have always seemed so in love with each other. Please Roger? Come round here and talk things over with Jim and me before you do anything drastic."
"Well you should get Jimmy to tell you the story of my wedding. It's different from how most people marry. And OK I'll talk things through with you two, but I don't know what good it can do. Bye."
"OK we'll see you tonight for diner then, Seven o-clock alright with you?"
"Yea, I'll be there. But Lin?"
"Yes."
"NO Caitlin!"
"OK, I promise!"
With that I disconnected. I had guessed Linda had planned to have Caitlin there tonight but she was wasting her time. Caitlin and I were through.
Jean called me around lunchtime, and asked if I knew how long the affair had been going on. I told her that I was playing my cards close to my chest at the moment. If she started proceedings against Tony, I would give her everything that I had, but not until then. She asked for my solicitors' details and said she would be at their office first thing Monday morning. I told her I would meet her there.
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Six o-clock saw me parked up the road from Jimmy and Linda's place. Caitlin's car was parked out front, so I waited for her to leave. She came out with the children about six fifteen. I saw her look up and down the road, she didn't spot me because I was in Greg's car again.
When she had gone I left the car were it was and walked down to the house. Jimmy and Lin saw me coming, and they were both at the door to greet me.
"Hi Rog. From your timing we assume you saw Caitlin leave?" Jim said, as Linda gave me a hug.
"What was she doing here? Explaining how she's the innocent party, how her fucking Tony was all my fault, I suppose. Well I'll tell you now! I'm not interested in her excuses; so please don't you two start trying to put any pressure on me. Caitlin is strong willed and she has always done her own thing. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knows what I think about adultery and what I'm going to do now."
"But Rog it can't do any harm to talk?" Linda replied.
"Three or four weeks ago she had all the opportunity she required, if she had felt she needed to talk to me, she could have done so then. But while I didn't know she was shagging Tony, she saw no reason to talk about it. Now I've found out, she suddenly want's a nice conciliatory chat. Well that one's out of the window. I told her last night, Caitlin shagged her way into our marriage and now she's succeeded in shagging her way out of it."
"I heard you say that last night Roger. But I'm sorry, I don't understand what do you mean by it." Linda asked.
"Haven't you told her Jim, I'd have thought it was a juicy bit of gossip!"
"What happened between you and Caitlin back then was your own private business. You have always been my friend, my best friend come to that. The only people I have ever discussed how you and Caitlin came to get married with, have been you and your brother. I've always thought that I would be breaking your trust, so I have told Linda nothing about it."
"Oh Shit Jim. I'm sorry. That was rude of me. You're a better friend than I realised. I assumed, you thought I was a bloody mug like most of the guy's did."
"No I never thought you a mug. You believed Claire was your kid and you did what you thought was the right thing at the time, and I have always thought it was the right decision you made. That makes you a better man than the guys that would have walked away."
"Sorry Guy's. But you've lost me here. Could you please tell me what you talking about." Linda was looking very confused.
"Look Rog, you and Lin go settle yourselves in the lounge and then you can tell Lin the whole story. I'm bound to get it all wrong, I'll get on with the dinner."
"Domesticated him haven't you." I said to Linda as she led the way into they're lounge.
"He's a darn sight better cook than me." she replied.
I sat on the sofa and Linda perched herself on the edge of one of the armchairs. I could sense she was impatient to hear the saga of how Caitlin and Roger got married.
"Where do I start? You know I've never had to tell this story before, I have always assumed that it was relayed to everyone behind my back."