Jory POV

I stayed in a B&B last night. Julian was fast asleep while our argument happened. He wouldn't have wanted to come anyway.

I sat on my bed, in room 04, thinking about what had happened the previous night. 'How could she do that to me?' I muttered, 'She knows I was pressurised.' I concluded that she knew it wasn't my fault and used it as an excuse to divorce me. And that she had always hated me.

I looked around my rented room. There were empty cans of beer littering the floor. 'This isn't graceful', I thought, 'I'm a ballet dancer! Not some thug who gets through ten beers in one evening!' Suddenly I jumped up.

I decided I would have a more positive view of life. I scampered around the cheapy room, scooping up any litter and mess.

Melodie was bound to tell Julian about our divorce. She would make it seem like it were all my fault. I decided I would tell Julian the whole story, beginning to end

Later that day, I packed my things and paid my bill.

Felt so angry with myself that I'd stormed out of my own house. I'd worked damn hard to earn my living. She should have been the one who buggered off to some grotty old B&B.

I started up my engine angrily and sped back to Foxworth Hall. Boy would she regret making her crime look like mine to my only son. We both knew the police would discover the truth. I'd been taken in twice.

I stormed into the house not bothering to shut the front door.

'Melodie! Get the hell down here!'

I could have yelled worse but I knew Julian was in the hall dancing.

I heard a faint 'clip clop' of high heeled boots. A door slammed. An engine started. I spun round to see Melodie driving away down the long drive way.with Julian in the back seat.

'Get the hell back here! Melodie! You biiiiiiiiiiiitch!' I screamed.

I leapt into my own car a sped after her. I swerved corners, squeaking my tires as I turned. I finally saw her in the distance. I was at maximum speed for the old car. I drove dangerously fast, my eyes glued to the turquoise car.

Gradually I caught up with her. I swerved in front of her so that she had only two choices of either pulling over or crashing. So she pulled over. She slammed her car door shut, prior to ordering Julian to lock all the doors.

'What the hell do you think you're playing at, Jory?'

'I was about to ask you the same question. You not only plan to abandon me but you decided to take away the only thing I've recently cared about!'

She slapped me hard across the face. I kept my head facing the ground but moved my dark eyes to meet hers. She looked uncomfortable. I stared and stared.

'Stop it, Jory, stop it!'

I walked towards her car, still staring at her until I passed her. I banged on the window and yelled, 'Julian! Please, let me explain! I didn't turn your mother into the police! It was forced from me!'

He glared at me with enraged eyes

'You hit Momma. When I'm older and bigger then you, I'm gonna hit you ten times harder.' He looked at me darkly. I was speechless. I looked at Melodie, then back to Julian.

'Julian, I didn't hit your mother, is that what she told you?'

'She also told me you would deny it. I was a fool to trust you.'

She'd turned Julian against me. She fluttered her eyes at me and gave me an evil sneer. That did it. I snatched her car keys from her. She put up a vicious fight. She clawed me with her long nails and actually drew blood.

I finally squirmed into the car and locked all the doors despite her desperate protest. As I drove off, I threw my own car key out of the window. It landed at her feet.

'What are you doing? Why did you leave Momma there?'

'Julian,' I began, 'I have to tell you the whole truth. What your Mom said was mainly lies. Did she tell you what her crime was?'

'She said she stole a jacket and that she regretted it.'

I looked at him and laughed.

'What the hell are you laughing at?

'The stories Melodie comes out with. I suppose you believe her?'

'Yes. She's my Momma.'

'I see. But aren't I your Daddy? Why don't you believe me?'

'I might. I depends on how likely your version of the story is.'

'I'm afraid it isn't the most believable of tales. But it is true.'

He looked up at me with those big brown eyes.

'What's gonna happen to you and Momma? What happens when you divorce?'

'Julian, I will explain it all to you when we get home.'

'Why don't you tell me now?'

'It's.complicated. I'd rather tell you when we were at home, where I can give you a hot drink. It's not nice, what you are about to hear. You're only eight Julian.'

'You're just saying that so you have time to think up a good story.'

'Julian' I sighed, 'Please.let me tell you at home, you will understand.'

There was a long silence. I pulled up in Foxworth Hall drive and we walked into the kitchen.

I put the kettle on and made tea and a hot mug of Ribena. I knew I had to tell him. He would never trust me again otherwise.

We walked into the sitting room careful not to spill our drinks.

'Julian,' I said as I sat down and put my drink on the coffee table. 'This is a true story. It will be hard to believe and may upset you. Your mother and I decided we wouldn't tell you until you were mature enough to understand. We didn't want you to be told like this, and under the circumstances this is the worst possible time to tell you. But seeing as I have no choice, I may as well begin.

'Your mother and Uncle Bart were quite close throughout our marriage. They did everything together - whether it was sensible or dangerous. Your Mom used to sneak out at night when she thought I was asleep. I'm talking about three to four am. She would visit him and they would go to restaurants and nightclubs. I used to follow her - and before you say anything, yes I know it was wrong. Stalking is illegal. But I'd forbid myself to go to rest at night until I knew where she was. It started out as this happening once or twice a month, then a few times a fortnight, then a few times a week until it was practically every day. One night she dared to bring my brother back to our house - not Foxworth Hall, it was this shack in the middle of nowhere. The next morning I discovered a thong and.well, other items hidden down the side of the couch. I asked her about it but she merely argued with me and told me I didn't trust her. She was right. I didn't.

'A couple of weeks later I discovered my brother had been killed. I was upset but I knew Melodie would come back to me and love me more then ever. She became so close to me, she told me everything. She even told me the answer to the question the police had been baffled over. How had my brother been killed? Julian, have you heard of Russian roulette?

'No'

'I shall explain. Two people have a gun each. In the ammo barrel of each gun there is one bullet. The player spins the barrel and pulls the trigger to the opponents head. If the bullet is in another part of the barrel, player two has a go and does the same thing. If the bullet is there, the player is shot and killed.'

'Why would they do that?'

'The player who lives takes all of the cars and properties. Bart was the one who was killed and so that is how we have Foxworth Hall. Oh, and the reason Bart had the Hall originally is because your Great Grandmother preferred Bart. So now you know.'

Tears were lining his big brown eyes. He sniffled.

'But that means Momma's a murderer! I can't stay with her! I can't go back! Please, Daddy, Please! Don't make me go back to h-'

Before he could finish a car pulled up in the drive.

'Melodie!' I breathed. 'Come on hide!'

But we rammed into her as we left the room.

'Come here, Julian' she cooed while squatting, 'It's ok darling - you're safe now'

He hid behind me.

'Hand him over' She said as she stood up.

'No' I said firmly

'I won't ask again, Jory. Hand him over.'

'No'

In the light of our crystal chandeliers, she pulled out a silver bladed knife. I stared at it, as did Julian.'

'Are you sure?' she asked.

I swallowed.

'I'm sure.'

I prepared myself into a defensive position but she was too quick. She lunged forward and stabbed the knife straight into my shoulder. It ripped through my shirt and pierced my skin like melted butter. She held it in for seconds as I screamed in agony. I lost my grip of Julian as I attempted to pull the sharp blade. But I couldn't. It was too painful. I opened my eyes. Everything was blurred. I could make out Melodie carrying Julian into the car - he was kicking and screaming - 'No! Let me go! Daddy, help me!'

The screams were fading - she was either driving off with Julian or I was fainting.

My son had been stolen from me and she was certain to contact her solicitor and claim our house and possessions through divorce. My whole life had been thieved from my grasp.