Page 79 of Be More Capybara

But this had been cooking the books on a major scale. And the people who’d lose out were the shareholders, many of whom were Barton’s own employees, swapping their shares for ones in the new company that were worth less than half the amount they’d been led to believe. How was he supposed to ignore that?

He switched to his mail app. Rebecca’s email appeared on the screen.

He read it again. He could see why Helen had jumped to the conclusion that he was the one in the wrong. If their roles were reversed, he would’ve probably thought the same of her. Or would he? He would’ve given Helen a chance to explain. But that was easy to say. Helen had been burnt before.

He logged into his bank account and started downloading the statements Rebecca had asked for. He looked through the long lists of numbers. Mortgage payments, school fees, allowances for the girls, groceries. There were only a few indulgences for himself: the occasional made-to-measure suit, a new pair of handmade leather Oxford lace-ups every year, and the latest MacBook or iPad. Perhaps he should send copies to Helen.

But they wouldn’t prove anything. She’d think if he’d had his hand in the till, he’d have been clever enough to keep any dodgy payments in another account.

How do you prove you’re innocent when you’ve signed an NDA? He could ask Rebecca to put something in writing, but what? “Trust Nigel, he’s the innocent party in all of this.” With Helen in her current mood, she’d think he’d bribed Rebecca to say that.

He had no choice but to cross his fingers and hope this was all resolved quickly.

60

HELEN

Helen looked at the photo Lucy had texted her, captioned, ‘Helen and Nigel before the Capybara incident.’

She remembered the feel of his arm around her waist as Lucy had encouraged them to stand closer together. The pose made them look like a proper couple.

She sighed. But that was all before she’d read that email.

It had been hard enough losing him the first time. But now they were lovers, not just friends.

Helen texted Carrie.

Could really do with a quick chat. Is now a good time?

Carrie FaceTimed her immediately. ‘I warn you I’m on my second glass of Chardonnay. I feel like I’ve earned it today.’

‘A good or a bad day?’

‘Ultimately good. I landed the funding I’ve been chasing for months. But it was a slog. How was your day?’

‘I’ve had better.’

‘Not regretting moving to Devon, are you?’

‘No. Well, perhaps a little bit.’

‘Which bit?’

‘The Nigel bit.’

‘I thought you two had finally got together?’

‘We had, but we’re not together anymore.’

‘He’s not gone back to his wife, has he?

‘No. I could deal with that better.’ She could feel tears forming in her eyes. ‘He’s being investigated for fraud, Carrie. That’s why he left his job.’

Helen closely watched Carrie to gauge her reaction.

Carrie laughed. ‘Mr Staid? I’ve never forgotten that time when you and I were living in that grotty student flat in Acton, and I cooked us all duck for dinner. The look he gave me when I announced that I’d shoplifted it from the supermarket. I thought he was going to choke on it, as if the police were going to arrest him for swallowing stolen goods. And you’re telling me he’s been doing what? Stealing?’

‘He’s being investigated by the stock market watchdog in New York.’