Writing for Fun
April 2016
Vengeance - Jeanette Rothwell
'Infliction of punishment in return for a wrong committed' That is what the dictionary quoted about the word Vengeance and Julie wholeheartedly agreed with the definition.
She stood in the middle of her spacious lounge calmly watching the sombrely-clad ensemble, their hushed voices sounding louder than they intended. 'Did she know?', 'Will she have to sell this house?' 'Is anything left?' 'Will she contest the Will?'
She forced a grim smile and made all the right noises to the guests. Her cheating husband, Gerald, had passed away, and although he had been a very successful businessman, there was very little left in the kitty.
He had been siphoning off tens of thousands of pounds every month into some untraceable offshore account, probably for her, the unknown mistress he had kept hidden for so long. Julie had always done all the bookkeeping. He had boasted at how much money he had saved by using her instead of having to pay an accountant. He told her that he was investing in a start-up company when she enquired about the missing money.
However, two could play at that game. She also siphoned off some money every month telling her husband that it was all to do with a tax loop. He had always been greedy. She had a nice little nest egg squirreled away now.
A voice at her elbow whispered, 'Madam, we're running out of white wine, shall I go and get some more?' Her loyal cleaning lady was always on hand to help her.
'No, it's ok, I'll go and get some,' she answered.
She walked through her lovely house, confident that she would not have to sell it. It contained so many of her artistic touches, her flare for interior decor, the beautiful couches, cushions, flower arrangements, flowers taken from her beloved garden. Gerald had never been interested in the house or garden, just happy to invite his business acquaintances to his well run attractive house, giving no thought as to its running or maintenance. She had always been the loyal wife, entertaining his guests, playing a waiting game.
Julie had discovered the existence of the mistress three years ago. She needed to check a detail on the paperwork for his car which he kept in the glove compartment. He was otherwise engaged so she took his keys to open the car and reaching in to the glove compartment she immediately spotted a black velvet box. Curious about its contents, she opened it to reveal a very sparkly diamond bracelet and a card which read 'To my darling Mary, Love always G xx'. For a while she sat there feeling shocked and cold but then replaced the offending box. She then hired a private detective who discovered a mistress who had been living in a very expensive apartment for quite some time. She decided to say nothing, quietly planning.
Gerald had been to the Doctor and after a thorough examination had been warned that his cholesterol was sky high and he would need to change his lifestyle dramatically. He came home with a diet sheet which she dutifully attached to the fridge door.
It had then been so easy. Gerald had been only too happy to finish off the delicious meals she provided seemingly from the fridge which contained so many low fat ingredients. However, the other fridge in the Utility room, which was unknown territory to Gerald, contained butter, double cream, full-fat cheese and yoghourt and other rich tasty food. He thought she was so clever to make such lovely meals from the unappetising ingredients he spotted in the kitchen fridge.
His heart attack was sudden and fatal.
She pulled out a couple of bottles of white wine from the big fridge/freezer and carried them back to the black-clad mourners, gently smiling.