Chapter 68

68

Corrine

Eleanor Harrison moved towards a decanter and poured herself a whiskey. She held up a glass as if to offer one to Corrine.

She declined. ‘You’ll forgive me if I don’t trust you when it comes to beverages.’

‘How do I know you’re not recording this conversation?’ Harrison said as she took a seat opposite Corrine.

‘This conversation needs to remain private.’

‘You mean away from the rest of the FFA fanatics? What do you want from me then? Money, I assume?’

Corrine nodded. ‘Yes, although not from you. I want what I am owed because of you.’

‘What have I done?’

‘Your support of the Marriage Act has ruined so many lives. And I don’t think you even give a damn.’

Harrison rolled her eyes. ‘That old chestnut. Why can’t people like you appreciate the bigger picture and how much it has helped the economy—’

‘Eleanor, honestly, I don’t care what you have to say. My husband and I have a fractious relationship. To cut a long story short, he duped me into signing papers that updated our marriage to a Smart Marriage when we were supposed to be divorcing.’

Harrison gave a closed-lipped smile. ‘Oh deary, deary me. So, what, you’d like me to pull a few strings and grant you an annulment? I’m afraid I have no sway in that department.’

‘No, it’s too late for that. I petitioned for a speedy divorce on the grounds of domestic abuse but he found another way to thwart me.’

‘How?’

‘He found a copy of that video recording I had hidden in the Cloud.’

Harrison’s eyes tapered. ‘You didn’t hide it very well then.’

Corrine ignored her. ‘And now he’s blackmailing me. Shortly before our divorce hearing yesterday, he warned if I don’t withdraw my application immediately and go back to him within twenty-four hours, he’ll make it public. Not only might I face criminal charges for unlawful entry and joint enterprise assault but he’ll be the one divorcing me, and on the grounds of criminal activity. Then he’ll marry someone he already has lined up. And the law being as biased as it is, I’ll barely see a penny from the settlement. But if I do return to our marriage, we can continue as we are.’

‘And was he abusive?’

Corrine hesitated. ‘No.’

‘Interesting. Using the suffering of others for your own benefit.’

‘I don’t need a morality lecture from you.’

‘So you’re not yet divorced?’

‘No, I put a hold on it.’

‘And if you go back to him, what will happen to the new bride-to-be?’

‘He’ll break it off with her. He’s using her as leverage. He admitted as much.’

‘Then I don’t see you have a choice. Stand your ground and we’re both at the centre of a shitstorm or do as he asks and we’re free.’

‘He doesn’t want me and I don’t want him. He just wants to control me. You haven’t got to where you are today by rolling over and doing what you’re told, have you? So why should I?’

‘Then I’ll ask again, what do you want me to do about it?’

‘Our finances are invested in land he’s purchased and is selling to the Government for the creation of New Towns. I need you to ask one of your colleagues to put pressure on him to rethink his choices at home or risk his contracts.’

Harrison snapped her head back and laughed. ‘And what makes you think I have any level of influence over other departments?’

‘You helped to pull the wool over voters’ eyes and got them to sign up to the Marriage Act. If you can do that, you can do anything.’

‘And if I agree?’

‘I’ll delete the video.’

‘That means nothing when your husband has it too.’

‘I’ll tell him this morning that I’ll go back to him and that I’ll play the dutiful housewife. I’ll make it my only stipulation that he surrenders that recording. He will do just about anything if it means he thinks he’s beaten me.’

‘And what do your Freedom for All compatriots have to say about you using me for your own gain?’

Corrine’s failure to answer was answer enough.

‘They don’t know, do they?’ Harrison laughed. ‘Your ability to be so self-serving would make you a very useful Member of Parliament.’

Corrine looked away like a scolded dog.

‘I will help but it’s not going to happen overnight.’

‘I know that. When, though?’

‘When it happens. There’s a paper and a pen in that top drawer.’ Harrison pointed to a console desk next to the sofa. ‘Write down his name and the name of the company.’

Corrine did as she was asked then made her way to the front door.

‘You know, you and I are not that dissimilar,’ Harrison added. ‘We’ll both screw over anyone who gets in our way to get what we want.’

‘We are nothing alike,’ Corrine snapped.

‘Keep telling yourself that. And, FYI, you were right not to accept the whiskey.’ Harrison poured the contents of her own untouched glass into a plant pot. ‘You’ll hear from me in due course.’

Corrine wanted to leave her with a wounding, parting shot. But her armoury was exhausted. Instead, she made her way out of the building, disappointed in herself for colluding with one enemy to topple the other.