A Perfect Marriage by Laurey Bright Page A

Then, she'd known with utter conviction that her father would always look after her.
    Everything changes, she thought sadly. Max had said there was no reason now why Ted shouldn't stay. She ought to be glad. Instead she felt an unutterable depression.
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    Ted took the news, when she broke it to him after breakfast, surprisingly calmly. He was shocked, of course, but then he picked up her hand and held it, saying, "Poor Lina. I've been so wrapped up in my own troubles, I didn't realise things weren't going right for you:'
    Grateful for the sympathy, she blinked away tears. She hadn't mentioned Kate Payne. That could come later. At least Max had given her time.
    She hadn't asked Max if or when he would tell his famfly. Nancy or Michelle would have been her first confidante in any other crisis. But how could she talk to Max's mother or sister about his defection? With sudden dread, she wondered how they would react to her being Max's ex-wife. Surely they wouldn't exclude her? Their friendship was too long-standing for that.
    But Max would want to introduce his new love to his family. She imagined the awkwardness that would result if she spent as much time with the Archers as she'd been used to, sharing their birthdays and celebrations, being invited to impromptu gatherings, sometimes popping in unexpect-
         edly for coffee or bringing a treat for lunch. Sooner or later she would find herself confronted with Kate hanging on Max's arm.
    No, she would have to distance herself from his family. They'd probably be grateful.
    Nancy phoned that evening. "Celine, dear, are you all right?"
    "I'm fine," she answered steadily.
    "Max has just been here."
    "He's told you, then."
    "I can't believe it!" Her mother-in-law sounded shellshocked. "You two are so right for each other. We thought you had A Perfect Marriage   !"
    I thought we did, too. But she'd been blind, fooling herself. She wondered if Max had confided the real reason to his family.
    Nancy's next words dispelled that thought. "You're probably going through a bad patch," she said. "Everyone has them, you know. I tried to tell Max, but he said he doubted you'd have him back. Would you like to talk about it? I could come round, if you like."
    So Max had put the blame on her? Made his mother believe it was Celine's idea? Anger clamped her fingers more strongly on the phone. "No," she said. "I can't talk about it yet. Maybe... maybe later."
    "Well ... any time. You know I'll always be here for you both."
    Will you? Celine thought bleakly. What if Max divorces me to marry Kate? She didn't want Nancy to be torn between her loyalty to her son and to the daughter of her old friend. "Thank you," she said noncommittally. "I'm all right, really." She paused, then asked, "Did Max seem ... okay?"
    "A bit strained," Nancy said. "I suppose you both are. A separation, he said. Well, that's not final, is it?"
    Ask Max, Celine was tempted to say. But instead she said, "It will give us both some time to think."
    "Yes." Relief entered Nancy's tone. "He made it seem so . .. definite . When I see him again, can I tell him you're thinking about things?"
    "No!" Celine bit her lip, trying to control her voice. "Let us work it out in our own way, please, Nancy. I'm sure Max will ... will keep you posted."
    "I hope so. I don't want to interfere, but Celine, I think of you as a daughter, you know."
    "Yes, and I'm grateful."
    How would Nancy feel about being asked to think of Kate as a daughter? she wondered as she hung up. As Max's wife?
    She'd welcome the girl with open arms, Celine guessed, for her son's sake.
    Michelle phoned the following day. Obviously the news had gone around the family. Michelle, probably primed by her mother, tried to express her dismay and bewilderment without prying or apportioning blame, but she finally said, "I can't believe that you and Max-I mean, you've known each other forever-you seem so ... well, perfect together! You're both so calm and sensible