Nobody's Fault by Derek Haines (rm book recommendations txt) 📕

torn away in one swift blow. He now could not see a tomorrow.
That evening he rang his parents in Perth for a little sympathy and support. The phone rang out. No one was home. He rang his sister. She must have been out with them. He wanted to ring his children, but thought better of burdening them. He thought about all the friends he had lost in his life. He would have given anything at this moment just to have kept one for a time like this. Maybe if he and his friend had packed a can opener and a warm jacket each, they might have made it to Sydney all those years ago. Maybe they would still be friends. He wondered what his runaway partner was doing now. The regrets of his life ran mercilessly through his mind and tangled with each other like the crazy patterns of a kaleidoscope. Events and people and times merged into a pattern of regret, loss and failure. He was suffering very real clinical shock. He treated himself with time, and whisky. He needed someone to talk to. Someone to just say ‘It’ll be ok.’ A shoulder to cry on. He had no one. He was totally alone.
After spending four days of misery, he was slowly coming to terms with the reality of the situation. He was a mess emotionally, but he knew he had to get out of the house. A few days in Sydney. At least see his accountant and solicitor to check what he should do. He needed their advice with regard to the business. His wife was a director and shareholder. There would be problems very shortly with who could sign cheques. ‘Fuck, what a mess!’ he mumbled to himself. Then, for some stupid reason, he remembered he had promised Tony from Triple T a beer. ‘A bloody good idea.’ he thought to himself. After arranging times to see his accountant and solicitor, he rang Tony.
‘Hello, Tony here.’
‘David Holdsworth Tony. How about that beer?’
‘I couldn’t think of anything better Dave. When?’
‘Can you get away for a liquid lunch on Friday?’
‘Dave, I haven’t had a lunch in over a year! I think it’s about fucking time though.’ Tony exclaimed.
‘Ok, terrific Tony. Meet you at the Drover’s Dog at noon.’
‘Perfect. See you then. Bye Dave.’
David felt a little better. At least he has something to do. Even if it was two appointments to discuss things he would prefer not to discuss, and lunch with an acquaintance. He had at least stopped moping around feeling like breaking down into tears. It was a start.
‘Ok, what next?’ he asked himself out loud, as if there was a purpose to the day now. He walked outside and checked the mailbox. ‘Welcome back world.’ he announce to no one except himself, as he flicked through the envelopes to find mostly bills. Coming back inside, he dropped the mail onto the kitchen table and made himself a cup of coffee. Lit a cigarette, and then opened the mail. All normal and mundane. Until he saw the company credit card. He read the list of items slowly, and his colour started to go red. ‘That fucking whore!’ he shouted at the account in front of him. ‘What the fuck has been going on?’
Listed on the account, which David hardly ever used, where items for fuel, twice on the same day in many cases, jewellers, dinners, electrical stores. The locations were all similar. All around Bankstown. Then he went to the creditors file in the small office in the house and looked for the previous months accounts for this credit card. His wife paid all the accounts normally, so David did not as a rule see them. He discovered a pattern. For four months, unless his wife was driving a taxi around Bankstown, she was filling two cars with fuel. Dinner receipts seem to coincide with her trips to Sydney, and there was enough money spent at furniture and electrical stores to fill a house. He sat dismayed at what he had discovered. ‘Bad enough to have done this to me,’ he thought, ‘but to leave it for me to find. God, what did I do to deserve this?’ Then, he realised the card was still active, along with three other supplementary cards linked to his that his wife had. It took him two hours to have them all cancelled.
He spent the rest of the day tracing the company and personal accounts back for six months. He found more sorrowful discoveries. By the end of the day, he had a file prepared to show his accountant. There was going to be some trouble ahead, he could smell it. Her parting words rang in his ears. ‘I won’t make it difficult.’ she had said. ‘We need this over quickly.’
David now wanted it over as fast as possible also.
Friday.
‘Great to see you Tony.’ Dave said as Tony walked towards him at the bar of the Drover’s Dog.
‘Hello Dave. Long time no see. How are you then?’
‘Shit, don’t even ask. Let me buy you that beer first.’
‘Two beers thanks love.’ David asked the barmaid as she walked past.
‘Comin’ up.’ she replied cheerfully.
‘So tell me Tony, how’s Triple T?’
‘Dave, same answer. Don’t even ask. Looks like we both need a beer!’ Tony said with a wry smile.
Their beers arrived at that moment.
‘Cheers.’
‘Salute.’ replied Tony. They both emptied half of their schooners!
‘Ahhhhhh. Shit I needed that!’ Tony said licking his lips.
‘Better get another two under way by the look of it huh Tony?’ Dave chuckled.
‘Good idea. Two more thanks, if you would be so kind my dear.’ Tony asked the barmaid.
‘So what’s up Dave? You’re mouth is smiling, but your eyes aren’t my friend.’
‘Well Tony.’ Dave hesitated and had another mouthful of his beer. ‘My wife has left me.’
‘Shit Dave. I am sorry. When?’
‘About ten days ago. It was bloody sudden. Just, poooof, gone!’
‘Did you see it comin’ at all Dave?’
‘Well, that’s the worst part I suppose Tony. No. Not really. You know if I look back now, yes, there were some signs I suppose, but I didn’t take any notice. She was a bit cool for a couple of months, but, shit, then all hell broke loose. It was all over in a flash.’
‘Is there a bloke?’ Tony asked
‘Yep. A fucking auto electrician I am told. I found credit card statements. Looks like she furnished his place for her arrival. She has been filling his fucking car with petrol on my company’s account for three months.’
‘Shiiiitttt.’ exclaimed Tony in disbelief. ‘I don’t know what to say Dave. Christ!’
‘Well, I was told by my solicitor that it’s just part of life now. My accountant was telling me that nearly one third of his time is spent sorting out companies and partnerships and businesses affected by separation and divorce.’
‘So you are doin’ all the legal stuff straight away?’ asked Tony.
‘Yep. There’s no going back from here.’ replied Dave.
‘So what happens? I don’t know much about it.’
‘Well, my solicitor says I am lucky. No kids. So its just fifty fifty. Split down the middle. Property, company and assets.’ replied Dave.
‘But she is the one who fucked off. Surely that makes a difference?’
‘Nope. Charlie Stewart, my solicitor, laid it out clear as a bell to me. Under our laws now, there are no grounds for divorce any longer. Went out years ago. All applications for separation and divorce are no fault. Just irretrievable breakdown, or something like that. So it doesn’t matter a hoot what she did. As far as the Family Law Court is concerned, it’s nobody’s fault.’ explained Dave.
‘And your solicitor said you were lucky?’ Tony said with an inflection.
‘Well, I know from my first divorce years ago. If I had kids, it would be a wipe out. I lost almost everything then. House, car, furniture. I walked out with a suitcase of clothes and thirty percent of bank accounts. Which was thirty percent of fuck all anyway!’
‘Christ.’ was all Tony could say. He slowly sipped on his beer.
‘Enough of my troubles. How’s Triple T going Tony?’
‘Fucking tough going! I had to re-finance last year, and business has been tight. Losing the Sam’s work didn’t help. That’s your fault.’ Tony said with a big smile.
‘I am sorry about that Tony.’
‘No. It’s not your fault Dave. Just pullin’ your leg. It’s just the way of business. And it’s only one small part. It’s just a tough business. It will come good. Always does.’
‘You’re the eternal optimist Tony. How do you keep that big smile on your ugly face?’
‘I was born with it! Can’t get rid of it Dave.’ Tony laughed. Two fresh beers arrived.
‘Well, here’s to happier days Tony.’
‘Yes. To happier days Dave.’
They both took a sip of their beers, their initial thirst being quenched by the first two. They sat quietly for a moment. Tony’s mind was grinding away. He felt sorry for Dave. But he was inwardly saying, ‘I’m glad it’s him and not me. Poor bastard.’
‘So what are you gonna do Dave?’ Tony asked.
‘I don’t really know Tony. Things are a bit up in the air. I had things planned out to take it easy, before this hit! Suppose I’ll just see what happens. Probably move down from the coast though. Better off in Sydney. Easier to get everything done. And it’s not much fun by myself up there. Haven’t been there long, so I don’t know too many people.’ It crossed Dave’s mind as he spoke, that he didn’t know too many people any fucking where!
‘Well, if you need anything. Moving your stuff. Anything. You just let me know ok?’ assured Tony.
‘Thanks Tony. I will.’ Dave said without thinking he would.
‘Do you like liver Dave?’
‘Errr yes?’ Dave answered the odd question with a raised eyebrow.
‘Good. My wife makes a special dish for me. Fettuccine Antonio. Liver, bacon and kidneys in a carbonara sauce. Come to dinner one night, I’ll have her cook it for us. Ok with you?’
‘Thanks’ Tony said, not really expecting an official invitation to follow. ‘I’ll bring the wine huh?’
‘Ahhh Dave! Only if you can afford and know which special wine goes with it!’
‘Well, you better tell me old buddy!’
‘1956 Chateau Rothschild Lafayette. Two hundred and fifty bucks a bottle! If you can find it!’ Tony announced with a wicked grin.
‘Well, you might have to settle for a 1997 Hunter Valley shiraz!’ Dave said meekly.
‘All tastes the same after the tenth glass Dave.’ Tony was laughing loudly. He was enjoying his liquid lunch. And Dave’s company, even if he was down on his luck.
‘Have you got things to do this afternoon? Tony asked.
‘A few things. Yes. I have to sign some papers at my accountants. They should be ready this afternoon, and I have an appointment at the bank to get the signatures sorted out. I have to freeze the accounts until things get settled a bit.’
‘I have to get back to the office Dave, but, if you are still thirsty at five or so, I have a very good bottle of scotch in my office drawer. Any interest?’
‘I’ll see how I go. But it sounds like a good idea to me. If I am not there by five thirty, start without me though!’ Dave smiled.
‘Ok Dave. I better get back. See you at five if you can make it.’
‘Yeah, sure Tony.’ he said shaking Tony’s hand.
‘Great to see you again.’
‘You too Tony.’
As Tony left, Dave ordered himself another beer. And a steak sandwich and chips. He could feel he needed a bit of