There's a fair amount of poetic license in this chapter, but justified I felt! R&R and enjoy!

You're still keeping all of us going.

Chapter: 36. Oh how the mighty fall!

Penelope:

Penelope was in a complete state of shock; what the hell had just happened? One minute he was sitting with a brandy, the next he'd launched into a full-scale attack leaving her in no doubt he was now running the show. As a direct result of one pretty brutal conversation her entire marriage and life as she known it had been completely and utterly destroyed! Everything was so cut and dry to him but all she could think of was that the security of a marriage and a home had all but gone, oh she knew she had no option but to accept his terms; if she didn't he would have taken them both to court, but never in her wildest dreams did she envisage her life would ever turn out like this. Wandering aimlessly from room to room she wondered where on earth she should even start, 'better start packing' he said but pack what? What would he even allow her to take with her?

He'd made it abundantly clear he wanted her out of the house as soon as the ink was dry on the divorce papers; did that mean a rushed departure with little more than her clothes or something else? She'd never been unsure of him before she'd always been a confident woman; but now with that confidence shattered, she felt as if she needed his permission to even take a breath. This had been their main home for over 30 years; they'd moved in just before Rebecca's 3rd birthday, in very different ways every room held it's own special set of memories. The dining room had always been a particular favourite; the table was hand carved from French oak, they'd had it imported from a supplier they'd met on one of their many jaunts to France. It was larger than could ordinarily be purchased both insisting it needed to actually fit the room; each chair was pieced together using traditional methods, none of your repro nonsense Henry had said, just good old traditional workmanship, they'll even outlive us Penny girl he'd assured her. As she walked around the table she let her fingers lightly caress the honey coloured wood; she remembered how it glowed in the soft lighting during the many dinner parties, birthday celebrations and the numerous family Christmas's. It had seen a lot that table; but sadly it was one of the beautiful things she knew she would have to leave behind! The house in France had its charm of course; it was old and rustic and the furniture they had chosen reflected its style, but it was only ever a holiday home before, now it was to be her permanent home and no matter how grateful she was to even have a home to go to it would never be as nice as the house she was about to leave behind. She knew she was in no position to insist on taking certain things, but maybe if she marked the things she would really like to keep; he would take pity on her and have them sent over to France. She sat down heavily on the bottom of the stairs reaching the conclusion she must actually be in mourning; she was mourning the loss of her home, her marriage and the only lifestyle she had lived for over 30 years, the saddest thing of all was there was nothing she could do to change it, her covert scheming and deception had caused all this and now she was paying the price, be careful what you wish for she thought, it can be your undoing!

Henry:

Henry listened intently as Tim revealed what 'Aunt Penny' had asked him to do; he explained further that she had threatened to expose his sexuality to his family, and he had taken the decision to inform his father he was a gay man! Tim offered he was now playing a waiting game to find out if his father was going to disinherit him and regaled the story that he'd even suggested he marry and have children to keep it hidden. Henry's expression had remained emotionless on the exterior but his mind was whirring with the full extent of his soon to be ex-wife's treachery and how difficult this must be for his nephew. The silence was unbearable: Tim began to fidget, unable to read what Henry was feeling and even worse what he would do with all this new information, panicking a little he enquired

'Uncle Henry!...I.. I'd really like to hear your views on what I've told you?' Henry shook his head

'My views Tim, are that I'm sorry you were ever put in this position! You see now why in your chosen profession it pays not to have any skeletons in the cupboard. The business world is tough! There are people out there who would like nothing better than to try to discredit you! But to receive a threat from a member of your own family He sighed heavily is outrageous! He suddenly felt thoroughly ashamed.

'You've been good to me Uncle Henry! I wanted you to know my loyalty to you could never be compromised! I took the decision to speak to father on my own, it was time to come clean!'

'Tim, you leave your father to me! I don't want you worrying any more about this ok? It was a brave thing to do; and I want to emphasise how grateful I am for you exposing your Aunt's intentions, FYI He smiled that little problem has been solved! Looking at his watch he commented in little less than 3 hours, all being well I should be in a position to drop the fraud charges. Your Aunt Penny is moving to France! Now business as usual Tim, oh and don't forget to give me all the information about going back to university! We need you to pass the bar don't we?' He winked. Henry had wondered after he had left the house if Penny would try something else just to make things difficult; but with this new information in his arsenal he was now confident things would go according to plan. Unwittingly Tim had given him all the ammunition he needed, a word with his brother was now on the cards, I need to set him straight on a few details and the boys future needs to be secure he thought!

Rebecca:

Arriving in the Dordogne had been relatively easy, getting through Bordeaux however had proved to be a complete nightmare! She'd missed the turn off for the motorway leading to Perigueux and Mussidan; and was now faced with tackling the confusing one-way systems just trying to make her way back to Bordeaux airport. Driving the same circuit several times over she had no alternative but to stop and ask for directions back; once she was there however she would be able to relax a little in the lovely bright airy Chateau set in the tiny hamlet of St Martin De Riberac, even the address sounded good she thought, new home and a new life! She was so close she could almost taste it, hoping someone would be there to greet her all she wanted was a hot bath and the luxury of a home cooked meal waiting. What she was greeted with however was nothing like she expected; the house was completely closed up, the shutters were drawn and there was not a sole in sight! Damn it! She thought, Mummy must have forgotten to let the people know I was coming; this just won't do! She flicked the light switch on but all she got was nothing, remembering Daddy always reminding Mummy to turn the electric off at the junction box whenever they were leaving in case of electrical fires, she found the junction box and threw the lever. She was at least grateful for power throughout the house; it would prevent her from stumbling about in the dark and she could at least charge her phone to make contact with the outside world. Moving into the kitchen she began opening cupboards to find something, anything to eat. On further inspection the fridge-freezer was empty, the cupboards were bare and even if she had found something to eat she would need to wash the plates first as absolutely everything was covered in a thin film of dust! Even the dustsheets covering the furniture gave the house an unloved feeling; I do hope this isn't an omen she mused. It had been over a year since her parents had been to the house and ignoring the fact if she wanted things pristine she would have to roll up her sleeves and do it herself; there's nothing else for it she thought I'll have to head into the village to find a hotel; everything will look different in the morning, sorting all this out can wait until Mummy gets here! Dumping most of her things in the lobby she packed enough clothes for an overnight stay and locked up. Driving down to the village she had a great sense of satisfaction that Hugh's money would pay for a room in one of the better hotels, she'd have a lovely room, possibly even order room service and sleep in luxurious bed linen, only what I deserve she thought! Unfortunately for her the town was playing host to a large wedding with all the rooms fully or pre-booked to accommodate the arriving guests. Even the local B&B's were full, leaving her no alternative but to grab some decidedly dodgy looking fast food and retreat back to the empty lifeless Chateau. This is becoming tiresome now she huffed, oh well I'll just have to make the best of it until Mummy gets here! Champagne is always a good idea she thought tearing off the foil and popping the cork; no glasses though!….Choosing to drink unceremoniously from the bottle to avoid washing up a glass thinking, I do hope things will improve this is so not what I bargained for!

The final payback:

The timescale Henry had given her to sign the papers was now up; she had received a call from Henry's lawyer Thomas to say she would be collected and brought to the office to sign her part by midday. Henry had the codicils added to the original paperwork and there were to be a few surprises as well. Penelope would be required to provide her signature indicating her acceptance of the amended offer in his presence, and he was to witness it, he told her. The signed documents were then to be expedited without fail within one hour of completion to the courts citing unreasonable behaviour as the cause for petition. Thomas informed her that Henry had spared her the shame of detailing the nature of the complaint indicating it was a private matter and as it wasn't to be contested they would deal with it privately. She would then be driven back to the property and given a further hour to remove her belongings and hand over her set of house keys; any further dealings would be conducted through his office and he strongly advised her to engage the services of a lawyer to handle her part of the settlement. 'Do you understand Mrs. Forester?' He'd said acutely aware of her silence.

'Yes! She mumbled, still reeling from the finality of it all 'and the money….

'Will be paid into you account on the first of every month! He interrupted, his tone remaining clipped and professional. 'I'll see you later then?' She uttered ending the call.

Arriving at his office seemed strange, I'm about to sign away everything; I wonder just how many people here are about to do the same thing? Thomas presented her with the papers and read through the changes

'There is one other matter! In due course, once the divorce is finalised you will receive a letter indicating any other charges held against you and your daughter have been dropped. There are however, a few proviso's attached; Both You and your daughter are required to cease contact with Master Samuel Charles James for a 10-year period. Your daughter will be required to sign over sole custody in favour of Samuels' father Mr Charles James! And if you meet all the criteria Henry will bestow a separate payment to you of 5 hundred thousand after one year! If however, you fail to comply with this request fraud proceedings will be reinstated!'

'That wasn't part of the deal!' She exclaimed exasperatedly 'I'm merely following Mr Forester's instruction!' He indicated giving her no wriggle room 'I see, well it looks like I have no choice other to do as Henry says then, doesn't it! She huffed signing the additional agreement I would ordinarily say it's been nice to see you again Thomas She said icily But that's clearly not the case on this occasion! Is it?' She announced flouncing out of the room. Seething in the knowledge Henry had engineered the entire deal to hurt her and Rebecca by covering every angle, he had left them no way back from this, he wanted them out of his life and he was going to ensure he got his wish, but at least there's to be a little nest-egg after a year.. This whole thing as it turned out had seemed somewhat surreal; she'd known both partners of the firm for years and here was Thomas being nothing but business like with her, if nothing else it was a clear indication of where his loyalties were and it certainly wasn't with her. As she sat in the back of the car her stomach churned, she clenched her bag so tightly her knuckles turned almost white; this is it, she thought, we won't get to see Sam again until he's an adult and he's left it to me to deliver the final blow to Rebecca, thank you very much for that Henry and in 6 weeks time I will be a divorced woman. She closed her eyes trying to take it all in; this is so horrifically final, I don't actually know how to be a single woman I've been part of a pair for so long, but resolute as ever she bucked herself up. Oh well Penny old girl, there's only one way to find out, maybe Henry's sarcastic comment of a B&B is a good idea after all! The chateau could even become a wedding venue? With renewed determination she made up her mind; I may be down but I'm not out, Rebecca is going to have to pull her weight! As far as she's concerned I no longer have the means to provide for her anymore; I'm giving her a roof over her head and things are about to change, for once in her selfish pampered life she's will have to help me and work for a living!

Henry received the call from Thomas indicting the papers were now signed and on their way for submission,

How did she take it? Was there any opposition?' He enquired keeping his fingers crossed and knowing he was potentially playing with fire.

'Lets just say Henry, you played a risky game, but it paid off! I have the evidence in my hands as we speak!'

'Good! Henry offered, almost letting out a sigh of relief Money has always been a good motivator. A good result Thomas, well done!'

'I was merely the messenger Henry, you were the brains!'

Penelope arrived at the chateau with several cases wedged tightly in her car, opening the door she was met with Rebecca's belongings scattered throughout the lobby; incensed at the sight she screamed…..REBECCA! WE NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS TALK!