And now what happens to Martha? I've given it some thought, and here is the next, smaller than usual, chapter.
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'Are you sure you don't want me to come with you, mum?' Mattie was concerned her mother was going to be alone on the biggest day of her life, after her wedding, on her own; her divorce hearing.
'No, Mattie,' Martha took her daughter's hands in hers, 'this I have to do by myself. My lawyer will be with me and he has arranged a quiet hearing in the Judge's Chambers.' Martha wasn't looking forward to seeing Martin again. He had admitted the adultery so the grounds were clear cut, according to her lawyer. She really hoped it would be over quickly and she could get on with starting her new life. The lawyers had come to an agreement that satisfied both of their clients; in return for Martha's discretion Martin would give her the yearly settlement, paid every six months, she asked for. Enough for her to be able to purchase a small house or flat, which, as she was a woman, a man would have to stand guarantor for; if she needed a loan; and enough for her to live off. She hoped she wouldn't have to ask Martin to be guarantor, though.
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The lawyer stepped forward from the courthouse and extended his hand to Martha. 'Good morning, Mrs O'Brien,' he greeted her with an open expression, designed to make her feel relaxed about the coming events.
'Good morning,' she replied, but she didn't feel as confident. Martin could be evasive and had a tendency to change his mind if he thought things weren't going his way.
Inside the Chambers, Martin was already conversing with his lawyer and the Judge. This made Martha feel very uneasy, she let her representative take the lead,
'Starting without us?' he asked, acidly.
'Just finalising details,' countered the other.
The Judge intervened, he'd thought this was going to be a smooth hearing. He'd read the evidence and the admission by Senator O'Brien and was, on balance, prepared to sign it off.
'Please, gentlemen, and Mrs O'Brien,' he indicated they should sit, 'let's be civilised about this.'
Martha felt he was a reasonable man, at least she hoped he was. It was hard, even embarrassing, to admit her marriage had failed and she began to wonder if had been her fault all along. Had she been the one to be cold, was it her fault Martin had sought 'affection' elsewhere?
'Now,' the Judge started, 'I have read the evidence and I am inclined to agree that Mrs O'Brien had reason to desire this action. Senator, you have admitted you have committed adultery with your secretary.' He looked over the top of his spectacles at Martin.
'Yes, but she threw herself at me.' Martin was going to make excuses now, thought Martha.
'Did you have to catch her?' Asked the Judge, he didn't like the way the Senator was starting to blame this girl. Even if she was a schemer.
'Well, sometimes a man needs to satisfy his baser urges, if they aren't satisfied at home.' Martin smirked as Martha looked shocked.
'Senator,' Martha's lawyer stepped in, 'I believe the excuse you have given your wife for some years was that you did not want to disturb her when you went to bed and that was the reason for separate rooms, not that Mrs O'Brien was unwilling to, shall we say, continue her marital duties.'
Martha coloured, to have their non-existent intimacy discussed like this was embarrassing.
'Perhaps Mrs O'Brien would have been happy to have been 'disturbed' occasionally.' He continued, looking sympathetically at a very uncomfortable Martha.
'Mrs O'Brien' the Judge turned to her and looked her in the eye, 'I'm sorry to ask this but, did you at any time deny your husband the comfort of your bed?'
'Never, Judge,' her voice was barely audible and a bit shaky. 'Martin showed no interest in returning to our marital bed after I lost our son, when Matilda was three.' A small tear formed at the corner of her eye as she spoke of that which they had always refused to talk about. Even Mattie knew nothing about her brother who was born too early and too small to survive. 'I believed he always blamed me for the miscarriage.' This information had only been shared with the lawyers and she had hoped not to use it but Martin had decided to indicate his infidelity was her fault. She didn't want a row about it, it still hurt but she had learned to live with it.
Martin opened his mouth to start to contradict her about this, but his lawyer silenced him. Martin had told him that he didn't know why Martha had miscarried, he hadn't asked, 'women's problems' were just that; 'women's problems!'
The Judge studied the papers in front of him, he knew Martin's rapid rise to political stardom was due in part to his wife being a constant support and hosting some of the best dinners in Melbourne, to him Martin used her for his own gain. He, himself, had a warm and happy marriage, blessed with three lovely daughters, and he couldn't see why having a son made any difference.
'I think your wife's requests are very reasonable,' he nodded, 'and,' he looked sternly at the Senator, 'you would be wise to agree to them.'
'She must swear that she will never reveal the real reason for the divorce,' Martin growled, even now he still didn't believe she would go through with it. He had provided everything for her during their marriage and he couldn't see how she would survive on her own.
'I said I would keep quiet, Martin,' Martha was getting angry now, 'you know I have always kept my word, right down to 'forsaking all others'. I believed in those vows I took, you obviously didn't.' She spoke sharply barely disguising her disgust at her husband's behaviour. After discovering him with his secretary she had had time to wonder if she had been his only lover, or if he had slept with other women. She actually didn't want to know, it would be too humiliating.
'In that case,' said the Judge, taking the cap off his pen, 'I shall sign these papers and you will both sign that you agree to the terms.' And with a swift flourish of ink Martha and Martin's marriage was over.
Martin shook hands with his lawyer and strode out of the Chambers. Martha's lawyer was about to escort her out of the office when the Judge spoke.
'Have you any idea what you will do now?' he asked.
'I'm staying with my daughter and granddaughter in Ballarat, where I hope to make a life. I've missed so much of Mattie's life and was going to miss out on my granddaughter too. I lost one child, I wasn't going to lose another.' She extended her hand to him, 'Thank you.'
'Good luck, Mrs O'Brien,' he said gently, she would be fine he decided. There was an inner core of strength in this woman.
'I think I may go back to my maiden name, eventually,' and for the first time that day, as she took off her wedding ring, she smiled.
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I have no idea how to get divorced, so this is probably very simplistic and totally unrealistic! The reinvention of Martha O'Brien will continue, with thanks to a suggestion from .