- So, what news have you got from the police?, asked Matthew.
The four of them were sitting in the Crawleys' living-room after work. John and Anna had been sleeping at Mary and Matthew's house since Christmas day, four days earlier. Anna sighed.
- Seems they don't have much to chew on. They checked the CCTV and saw two suspicious people, a man and a woman, judging from their general silhouettes, going down my street early on Christmas morning, but they were both wearing hoodies so they're not identifiable.
- Two people? You mean Vera had an accomplice?
- Apparently.
- Have you got any idea who?, asked Mary, looking to John.
- Not really. One of her brothers maybe. Or maybe that boyfriend of hers she had before I left. Although I do hope for him he'll have had the sense to run away from her soon enough.
- And they got nothing from the neighbourhood enquiry, added Anna. There's only one old lady who said she heard some noise, but she was too afraid to look or call the police. So we're basically going nowhere.
- Damn it, said Mary. How long is she going to be allowed to go on persecuting you…
Anna replied with a tight smile.
- Thank you, anyway, for having us here, and for lending us that car.
- Oh nonsense, Anna, you know you'd do exactly the same for me.
- Of course. Though I think we'll be able to go back to my apartment in a day or two. The window will be repaired tomorrow.
- Are you sure? You can stay as long as you need, you know, said Matthew.
- Thank you Matthew, said John. But we'll be fine.
- And about the car?, added Mary. Any news?
- My insurance said they'll pay me what I'm due some time next week, so I'll start to look for a new one.
- God, what a mess, stated Mary. I can help but worry about what she's going to pull out next.
- Can't say it hasn't crossed my mind too, said John grimly.
- Where are you standing on the divorce procedure?, asked Matthew. Are things going fine with Alistair?
Alistair Sutherland was one of Matthew's associates, whom he had trusted John's divorce file with.
- Oh, yes, he's very good. He's disappointed that I don't want to ask any compensation money from Vera, but I told him I don't want anything from her, I just want to be divorced asap. The sooner the better. So we sent the first papers to her in Ireland, and I guess this is what has motivated her little oversea trip. Now we're waiting for a date for the first audience with the judge in Dublin. I hate that I'll have to go back there for the audience. I had hoped I wouldn't have to set foot in this city again.
- I understand, said Mary. I can't help but think that it's sort of lucky that you didn't get to have children with her in the end.
- Oh, yes, he agreed. I thank the Lord about that every single day…
Anna smiled at him and gently squeezed his hand. She knew how much he had hoped to be a father, so he being thankful for that really did show how much he longed to be rid of Vera.
x x x x
On a dull January late afternoon, Anna was putting her desk in order and switching off her computer.
- See you tomorrow Mary?, she said to her friend and co-office dweller.
- Yeah, replied the brunette distractedly, still focused on her own computer.
Anna went out of their office and knocked on another office, a few doors down the hallway.
- Hey?
- Oh, Anna, said John. You going?
- I've got this hairdresser appointment, remember. Do you want me to drive you home before I go?
- Hmm, I still got some things I'd like to finish before going.
- Ok, maybe I pick you up after the haircut then? I should be about an hour.
- Yeah, fine. Text me when you get back, I'll come down and meet you in the parking lot.
- Alright. See you then. I love you, she added with a cheeky smile and a kiss on his cheek.
- Love you too. And I can't wait to see how beautiful you are with your new haircut.
He loved to see the slight blush on Anna's cheeks as she exited his office.
x x x x
An hour and a half later, night had fallen as Anna was parking her car back in the Abbey parking lot, and sent a text to John.
"I'm back"
"I'll be down in a minute", he replied.
Anna thought she'd used the spare time for a quick stop to the restroom in Downton's foyer, a few yards across. When she came back to her car, she startled at the sight of a large man, casually leaning against her car. She couldn't make out his face in the dim glow coming from the nearby streetlamps, but she knew from his general frame and attitude that he was not John. She stopped a few yards away from the man, and carefully asked:
- May I help you, sir?
- Anna Smith?
- Yes. And you are?
- Nice car. Looks new, doesn't it?
His hand was slowly caressing the car hood.
- So? I don't see how that has anything to do with you? Who are you?, she insisted.
- Patrick O'Sullivan, at your service.
Understanding sank onto Anna like a heavy stone. The guy was Vera's brother. She immediately started feeling unsafe.
- What do you want? I'd like to get back in my car if you don't mind. My boyfriend will be here any moment, she felt the need to specify.
- Good, good. Yeah, about him. My sister'd like her husband back, if you'd be so kind to give him back to her. It's quite rude to steal another woman's husband, you know.
Anna tensed.
- I didn't steal anyone from anyone, she muttered through gritted teeth. John made his own choice, he doesn't belong to anyone. He's not mine either, to give back to anyone. He's not an object.
- Hmm, if you say so. Unfortunate though.
- What do you mean?, she asked wearily.
- Well, see, things have happened, back in Dublin, that I think my sister should be reporting to the police. You know, domestic abuse… She's got that neighbour witness, who saw him manhandling her in the street. Oh, you know, you were there too, she told me. I'm a cop myself, as I'm sure you're aware, so if she comes into a police station to complain about her abusive husband, I'll make sure she's taken seriously.
Anna looked at him defiantly for a while. So Vera's brother was no better than her it seemed.
- You'd do that even though you know it's not true? What kind of cop are you?
- Ah… Truth is often a subjective matter, he mused. Of course, if my dear brother-in-law kindly agreed to go back home to his lawfully wedded wife, then I'm sure she could forgive everything.
He kept silent for a short moment, allowing Anna to let the threat sink in. Then he stood up and walked away from her car.
- So, he concluded with a fake smile. I'll let you discuss all this with your dear John, Miss Smith. Just know that the O'Sullivan family has a high sense of honour, and doesn't like to see one of its member ridiculed by an indelicate spouse. We'll not let this lie. Enjoy your evening, he said joyfully, as he quickly walked to another car, parked a few yards away. We'll be in touch!, he added loudly before getting on the car.
As he drove away, Anna got a glimpse of another person sitting in the passenger seat. Vera. So she had hired her cop brother on her crusade. That wasn't good news.
- Is everything alright, sweetie?
Anna jumped out of her skin when John's hand squeezed her arm. She panted as she turned back to him.
- Yes. Hum. I just had a rather… unpleasant encounter with Vera's brother. Let's go back home, I'll tell you.
x x x x
- So Patrick has joined her in her delusion… That's not good, stated John, when they were back home.
- I assume he was the one who has been spotted on the CCTV footage with Vera, said Anna.
- Likely.
- I think I should pop at the police station tomorrow and tell them about him threatening you. Before they get a chance to act on it. Pity I couldn't record him. I have no proof, they'll be able to say I made it up.
Anna sighed. John came to her, kneading her shoulders with his fingers.
- Don't worry, love. We'll make it through.
- You're not thinking of bailing out to her, I hope?, asked Anna with a touch of worry in her voice.
- No, he said calmly. Although I don't fancy experiencing being questioned by the police as a potential wife abuser. God I'll be so happy the day I'll finally be divorced.
- I can't wait, she said, closing her eyes at the touch of John's lips on her forehead.
- Go relax, take a bath, while I'll get dinner ready.
- Sounds good, she smiled.
x x x x
February 2018
- So?, asked Anna worriedly, when John and Alistair Sutherland finally emerged from Dublin's courthouse after the first divorce audience. How did it go?
They had been in the audience room for more than an hour, while Anna had nervously waited outside with Mary. Vera had seen them when she had arrived at the courthouse, and the look Anna had received had chilled her to her core. She knew Vera was taking no prisoner.
- It was worse than you could possibly imagine…, sighed John.
Anna noticed the angry scratch on his cheek, and caressed it with her fingertips. John closed his eyes under her touch, and his hand met hers on his cheek.
- Shall we go grab a coffee?, suggested Mary. And you can tell us what happened.
Moments later the four of them were sitting in a nearby coffee shop.
- So, started John. Vera is opposing the divorce proposition. And we just learnt that according to Irish law, if one spouse is asking for a divorce but the other refuses it, it cannot be made effective before a two years long period of living apart.
- TWO YEARS?!, exclaimed Anna. You mean we have to wait for two years before you can be divorced?
- Minus three months, since I've left the marital home last November…
- Jesus…, sighed Anna, rubbing her eyelids with her fingertips.
- Yeah, agreed John. And there's nothing we can do about it.
- Except, intervened Alistair, if we manage to prove that John has been victim of emotional harm at the hand of Vera.
- Well that shouldn't be too difficult, stated Mary.
- We'll give all the evidence we have, of her harassment, said Alistair. But in the end, Irish justice is still very much Catholic-influenced, and they aren't very sympathetic to divorce. It is very hard for a woman to obtain a divorce on emotional-harm grounds, let alone for a man…
- Urgh…, said Anna.
- Sorry sweetie…, said John, taking her hand in his.
Half an hour later, the group was going out of the coffee shop, when two police officers accosted them.
- John Bates?, they asked.
John looked at them, surprised.
- Yes?
- Will you follow us, please?
- Er… May I know why?
- A complaint had been filed against you, on the grounds of domestic violence. Either you come with us of your own free will, so that we can interrogate you at the police station, or we can put you into handcuffs and arrest you.
- I see, he said quietly.
- No!, yelled Anna, putting herself in front of him, in the officers' way.
- Anna, please, he whispered. There's nothing you can do. It won't take long.
(I hope, he didn't dare add.)
- I am his attorney, said Alistair, so if you're taking him I am coming with him.
- Suit yourself, sir, said one of the policeman, as he grabbed one of John's arms. Let's go now.
As she watched John being ushered into the police car, and the car leaving, Anna's eyes caught sight of Vera standing across the street. The satisfied smile on her face made Anna want to murder.
- Bloody bitch!, she uttered through gritted teeth. I hope she ends up burning in hell!
Mary seized Anna's hand, and the friendly squeeze made her break up. She turned around and fell into her friend's arms, sobbing.
- I know she will, eventually…, murmured Mary, caressing Anna's hair.
When Anna had calmed down, Mary grabbed her shoulders and said firmly:
- Come on, let's go to the police station to meet them. And they'll need your testimony as a witness about the time she says he manhandled her. You can tell them what really happened, how she had hurt you. And you need to tell them about her brother's threats.
- Yes, you're right, said Anna, straightening her back, lifting her chin up. I must go and pull him out of there.
- There. Fighting spirit. That's what we're looking for. Come on.
Disclaimer: I have no idea what the Irish divorce laws really say. So I have no pretention to accuracy.
