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xXx
The following morning.
Unable to sleep, Clarisse got ready and headed off for a walk, unaware that Joseph was stood at his bedroom window. As he stood watching her walk away he rested his elbow against the window frame and his hand on the back of his head. Looking towards the clock and seeing it had only just gone 6am, he sighed and turned to walk over to the chair in his room.
Returning sometime later, Clarisse slipped of her coat and hung it up before walking through to the kitchen. Seeing Joseph sipping his morning tea, she walked over and grabbed a cup.
"Good morning." Joseph said, watching her pour herself some tea.
"Is it?" She asked "Would you like some more tea?" She asked, looking across at him as he shook his head.
"No, I'm okay." He said watching her put the teapot back down "Thanks anyway." He added as she lifted her cup, taking a sip.
"You're welcome." She said and moved to sit at the table.
"Couldn't you sleep last night?" He asked as he put his cup down.
"No." She answered with a shake of her head. "How did you know?" She asked and watched as he slowly made his way around to her.
"I saw you leaving the house a little past 6 this morning," He said while sitting beside her "I couldn't sleep either." He added as she looked at him "I was worried about you."
"Well Rupert turning up like that took me by surprise, I had a lot to think about." She said slumping back in the chair, leaving her hands wrapped around her tea cup. "I just wish I knew why he was here."
"I know," Joseph nodded and watched as she sipped some more of her tea "But whatever the reasons, you do not have to face it alone." He said as Clarisse put her cup back down on the table.
Slowly she turned her head to look at him "Thank you, Joseph." She nodded and sat back "I just feel bad as the evening was going so well and perfect."
"Well, we will just have to do it again one day, and soon." He said as she looked at him "Listen, I know him turning up like that ruined the night but it's not going to be like that next time, or the next... if you want a next time that is?" He asked, looking at her.
"Oh, of course I do." Nodding she looked at him as he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Right then, when this is all sorted out we will try again, and trust me it will be even better next time." He smiled and watched as she smiled back.
"Thank you, Joseph." She smiled while putting her hand up to cup his cheek "You always know how to make me smile, don't you?"
"Always." He nodded and put his hand up onto hers as they heard the front door closing "Pierre?" He whispered as Clarisse lowered her hand.
"I hope so." She nodded and looked towards the door as Pierre walked in "Pierre!" Clarisse exclaimed and stood up.
"Hello, Mother." He smiled as Clarisse walked around to him.
"Welcome home." Clarisse smiled and hugged him.
"Thank you." Pierre smiled and watched as Joseph stood up.
"Did you have a nice trip?" Clarisse asked as they pulled apart.
"It was busy." He smiled with a nod and poured himself a glass of water "How are things around here? What did I miss?" He asked and watched as Clarisse and Joseph looked at each other "What's going on?" He asked.
"Your Father is here..." Clarisse answered, looking up at him.
"What, here in the house?" He exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh goodness no!" Clarisse exclaimed "He's staying over at the Village inn."
"Oh, good." Pierre said putting his glass down "When did he arrive?"
"Last night." Clarisse answered while leaning back against the counter and folded her arms.
But just as Pierre was about to answer there was a knock at the door "I'll get it." He said heading towards the kitchen door.
"Are you okay?" Joseph asked while standing in front of Clarisse.
"Yes," She nodded while looking up at him "Thank you." She said as Joseph smiled.
Moving over to the table, Clarisse took a seat as Joseph watched her. "It will be okay, you will see." He said smiling as Clarisse looked up at him.
"I hope so." Clarisse answered, giving him a small smile then looked towards the door as it opened. Her face fell when she saw Rupert following Pierre into the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" She asked, quickly standing up.
"Oh that's a nice greeting, isn't it?" Rupert answered.
"Why are you here, Rupert?" Clarisse asked again.
"I told you last night, I am here to talk with you about the divorce and what you will get, nothing else." He answered. "I take it you do want this all to be over and done with?" He asked.
"Yes, I do." She nodded.
"OK, well meet me over at the Inn tonight at 7 and we will talk about it. We could even have dinner." Rupert said.
"No, she will not meet you over at the Inn." Pierre said as everyone looked at him "You will come here tonight for 7, and talk about it all here. That way I can keep an eye on you." He added and watched as Rupert looked at Clarisse as she remained looking at Pierre. "It's that or the lawyers office!"
Looking back at Pierre, Rupert nodded "Very well, here it is then." He said walking over to the door and looked back at them "See you about 7." He added and walked out.
Moving over to the kitchen door, Pierre watched to make sure Rupert actually left and after the door was closed, he turned back to Clarisse "You didn't mind me saying that, did you?"
"No, I don't mind." She answered and looked over at him "Thank you."
"It's okay, and please don't worry. He won't dare try anything with me here, I promise." He said, giving her a hug.
"Thank you, Pierre." Clarisse answered as Joseph stood watching.
x-X-x-X-x
Later that evening.
Standing in the doorway to Pierre's office, Joseph watched Clarisse and Pierre going over a couple things before Rupert's arrival. After a few moments Pierre stood to go and get them some tea, where they realized that Joseph was stood at the door.
"Hello, Joe. Have you been stood there long?" Pierre asked while walking over to the door.
"A moment or two." Joseph answered with a small smile and looked over at Clarisse.
"Oh Joseph, I'm sorry." Clarisse exclaimed "I've been so busy today, haven't I?" She said motioning towards the paper work on the desk in front of her "I just want to get this divorce sorted out once and for all, then hopefully I will never have to see or talk to that man again." She said and looked up at Pierre, then Joseph "And hopefully I will be able to move on too." She said, giving him a small smile as Pierre walked over to the door.
"And we will, don't worry, Mother." Pierre said as they both looked over at him "I will be right back." He said and walked out.
"I understand." Joseph said, while sitting down opposite her at the desk "Is there anything that I can do?" He asked.
"Actually," She started as she stood up and walked over to the door and closed it. Turning back to Joseph as he turned in the seat, watching her "I was wondering, when Rupert is here and to save the tension... could you maybe go for a walk? Or maybe go for a drink over at the Inn?" She asked as she walked back over to the desk and sat in the chair beside him.
"But wouldn't it be better if I was here when he was? Just in case he does try something?" Joseph asked, looking into her eyes.
"He wouldn't dare try anything with Pierre here," She said while reaching over, putting her hand on top of his "I just don't want any tension and he may not talk if you were in the house." Clarisse said, looking at him "After last night, I'm just scared that if you are here he will start his old tricks and prolong things. You know how long I have waited for this, I just don't want anything to go wrong... I hope you understand?" She said giving his hand a small squeeze.
"Of course I do." He nodded "OK, I will go over to the Inn, but if he tries anything then please come and get me straight away?" He said and watched as Clarisse nodded.
"I will, don't worry." She said and watched Joseph as he stood up. "Thank you, Joseph." She added as Joseph gave her a small smile.
"Ok then, I will leave before he arrives." He said as Clarisse stood and moved to stand beside him "Good luck, I got everything crossed that it goes well."
"Thank you, so do I." She said watching him walk to the door.
Smiling back at her, Joseph walked out just as Pierre returned with tea for them and watched as he walked to the door. "Where are you going, Joe?" He asked.
"I will explain, Pierre." Clarisse called out and watched as he looked back at her.
"Is everything okay?" Pierre asked while walking into his office, closing the door behind himself as Clarisse nodded.
Sitting down opposite her, Pierre listened as Clarisse quickly explained to him to why Joseph was leaving. And a short time later, Rupert arrived.
x-X-x-X-x
Walking through the door of the Inn, Rupert looked around the room. Spotting Joseph sat at the bar, he walked over and ordered a drink as he sat on the barstool beside him.
"You've finished then?" Joseph said looking at Rupert as the barmaid placed his drink down in front of him.
Taking a sip of his whiskey, Rupert nodded and looked at him for a second while placing his glass back down "Yes we have. Though once we got rid of Pierre, we didn't get much talking done. If you know what I mean!" He said smirking to himself and watched the barmaid pouring other peoples drinks as Joseph shook his head, ignoring him. "She was amazing as ever, and just how I remembered her." He added and watched as Joseph stood and walked out.
Laughing he turned his attention back to the barmaid as she stood in front of him. And a short time later Clarisse walked through the door, pushing the hood of her coat down she looked around the room, and stopped when she spotted Rupert laughing with the barmaid. Walking over, she stood behind him and listened to the conversation for a moment.
Laughing to herself she tapped him on the shoulder and watched as he slowly turned around. "Clarisse! What are you doing here?" He exclaimed in surprise.
"Surprised to see me? You can relax you know, I'm not here for you.. I'm here to let Joseph know we've finished." She said looking around the room "Have you see him?" She asked and looked at Rupert.
"Oh, you just missed him. He walked out a few moments ago, he seemed to be in a bit of mood too."
"What did you say to him?" She asked.
"What makes you think I said anything?" Rupert asked.
"Rupert, I know you. Now what did you say?" She asked asked again.
"Well, I didn't say anything." He answered and watched as she turned to walk out, stepping from the stool he moved to grab her arm "Hey, wait a minute." He exclaimed and stood surprised as she spun around and slapped him hard across the face, causing everyone in the bar to stop talking and stare at them as Rupert put his hand up to his cheek.
"Don't you ever touch me again, do you understand?" She snapped "And if I find out that you did say anything, you will regret it for the rest of your life!" She said "Do I make myself clear?" She asked and watched as he slowly nodded "Good." Turning she walked out into the pouring rain.
Crossing the road, she began walking down the path leading back to the house but stopped when she heard a car speeding up the road. Seeing it was Joseph driving, she stood watching as he sped onto the road that led out of the village. "Joseph?" She whispered to herself.