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‘Yes, your husband’s family, asking questions, probing for information about you. It sounded odd and I brushed them off, saying I didn’t know you and knew nothing about your circumstances. I promise, Ava, I did. But obviously, your husband has means and he’s rather persuasive.’
‘Oh, yes, he is.’
‘He found out that I worked at the university and offered a sizeable donation to my anthropology department and later, to the archaeology department on the condition I report back about you. I refused, of course. A complete invasion of privacy.’
That provided her some comfort.
‘He was quite manipulative and any refusal by me was met with a withdrawal of his generous offer. I was placed into an untenable position. The university really wanted that money and weren’t aware I was being blackmailed. So, I either had to provide the information or I would lose my position at the uni, or so they threatened anyway. Honestly, Ava, I thought about telling you, about retiring early to get me out of the pickle. I disagreed vehemently. But then I realised, someone would be spying on you if it wasn’t me and, in the end, I thought it’d be better if it was me who had some principles and my intentions were at least worthy.’
‘So, this whole looking after the horses, loaning them to us, was a ruse?’
‘No, it wasn’t. That was genuine. I needed your assistance and I’ve appreciated it. In the end, it did however, provide another purpose.’
Gosh, this was a real kick in the guts and she said so. ‘I thought we were friends.’
‘We are, well I hope we are and can come through this. I mean, I don’t know much about your husband but he has provided some serious financial support to the uni. It has benefited enormously and our programs have been extended and broadened because of his kind donations.’
Well, at least that was something. She hoped the archaeology department would use it wisely.
‘It’s family wealth. But tell me exactly what you divulged?’
Clive winced and she was glad. It was all so sordid. ‘At first, I was very dubious, but honestly, it seemed that your welfare was his paramount consideration. He wanted to know that you and the boy were okay. That you were safe here.’
Oh, the irony. She was frantic about their safety too, but for other reasons. She quizzed him further.
‘So, yeah, it was details that you lived here, what you were doing. I told him that you rode the horses, got some chickens, had the puppies. Were renovating. He was very interested in the fossil.’
‘He was?’
‘Yes. And of course, so was the university.’
‘What? What do you mean?’ Ava tried to think back to the course of events. Clive had conveniently come across her and the fossil. She’d sought his counsel and he had assisted her with her enquiries with the academic staff.
‘Are Matthew and James in on this?’
‘No! No, they know nothing about your husband or your past, well not from me anyway and there was a strict “not to discuss clause” with the staff at the uni. Your husband insisted on it, lest word get out that he was stalking you.’
‘Okay, so?—’
‘What it meant is that the uni was extraordinarily keen to be involved and continue receiving the funding of this generous benefactor. So, there was never going to be a problem with release of their staff to help you on this project.’
Ava’s mind spun. In some twisted way, this could work to her advantage. Seasonal academic? Research academic? Permanent funding by the uni for the dig? Or simply their assistance in publishing her research, supporting it, advertising it. Because, deep down, like other aspects of her life, she really wanted to maintain control of her project.
‘I can’t believe this was all going on and I had no idea.’
‘I know and again, I’m sorry. The good news is that now I don’t have to be the go-between anymore. You’ve made contact, he’s visited and I’m told that you’ll be communicating directly now.’
‘And this, Clive?’ She held up the topaz engagement ring. ‘You helped me sell this and then Henry gifts it back to me?’ She paused for effect. It had been Henry’s parting gift. ‘I assume you told him about me selling it?’
‘Oh, wow. Only as part of information dissemination. I didn’t know he bought it back. He never told me what he did with the information. I assumed it was always about keeping you safe.’
Ava nodded. Ish returned, ending their conversation. Then her mobile phone rang. It was Jamila, returning her call.
‘Thanks, Clive. No hard feelings, you’re a great neighbour and were put in a tough spot. I understand how forceful my ex-husband can be.’ She waved off and answered her phone. Ish jumped on the trampoline.
Jamila was pleased for her. Pleased they could talk openly on a public line and express their true feelings. It didn’t mean of course, that Ava’s father-in-law didn’t bug the line from Jamila’s end but she was prepared to take the risk.
Jamila was also optimistic about her own circumstances. The hearing was over, judgement pending. Her lawyers were confident of a positive outcome. That would mean security; her long term stay in London with her children and a property settlement to set her up for the future. It was now a waiting game. She wasn’t going to downplay her ongoing vigilance, however. Each day she acted as if they were being watched and she remained on the lookout for suspect activity. What a way to live. Her heart ached for her friend, but she was also grateful she no longer had to live that way.
