Chapter 5 β Can Chris and Debbie get it together again?
The weeks moved on, I started divorce proceedings and tried my best to see my children as often as possible. Debbie did not try to prevent this and for that I was grateful. Despite my assertion that I wanted custody, my solicitor advised that I would be very unlikely to succeed even with the evidence I had to hand.
Debbie tried many times to arrange a meeting with me. She said she wanted to try and explain things but I refused to discuss it with her.
Easter was approaching and my parents persuaded me to attend the Easter Party at the Rugby Club.
I went with them and we were sitting at a table near the stage with together with Andy and Sarah. They had been good friends during my separation, Sarah in particular was very supportive even if she refused to take sides. After all she was a long standing pal of Debbie since before our marriage.
I went for a pee break and came back in time to see Irene, Bob and Debbie come in the door rather nervously, looking every which way as if sensing an ambush.
Instead it was me who had been ambushed. I got up to leave, anger coursing through my veins. My dad took my arm and said. "It's time you pair stopped this nonsense and cleared the air. Your mother and I set this up so don't go accusing anyone else. Before this divorce thing goes any further, at least try and talk first. If you still want a divorce after you have both had your say, then you'll have our support. But just think of your kids when you are talking and leave the selfish betrayal feelings to one side for a moment."
Irene for once was very quiet and at one point actually came over to me and apologised for her part in the bust up. She told me Debbie was heartbroken at the thought of divorce and wanted to try and explain her actions to me.
Debbie just sat there waiting for me to say something, anything. Andy, bless him tried to get the conversation started by asking open questions of Debbie in a vain attempt to draw her into speaking. She sat there, her head down and looking at me from under her eyelashes. She was clearly very nervous and may have been hoping I would start the ball rolling. I was not of a mind to show her any sympathy, but by God she looked so beautiful. I could see she had lost weight, too much to my mind. She suddenly stood up and made a bolt for the Ladies. My mum went to follow her, but Sarah, said. "No! Leave her to me, I think I know how to draw her out."