Chapter 5: Treachery Confirmed

Frank's marriage to Jane was tolerable in the beginning. He loved her very much although increasingly doubts began to creep in. Frank quickly realised that something was missing. The marriage lacked the closeness and warmth that he had expected as a newlywed and which he saw in other peoples marriages. The romance of the marriage had disappeared almost immediately after the ceremony. Jane's refusal to live with him during the working week was he supposed in part understandable especially, with the pressure from her mother to stop with her at home. He could understand Jane being nervous about her pregnancy especially as it was her first child.

Jane generally welcomed him warmly at weekends. She enjoyed the physical part of the marriage, but once that part was over it seemed to him as though her emotions were switched off. She never seemed to be quite as despondent as he was about parting on a Monday morning. He tried everything he knew to get Jane to come and live with him. The flat was more than adequate, but everything he tried was in vain. It hurt him badly that she would not even consider coming for a visit for a few days to see the apartment for herself.

It was as if, they had reverted to a status of being good friends and casual lovers rather than husband and wife. His mother in laws hostility to Frank was daunting and implacable. As time went on she seemed more determined than ever to make Franks life uncomfortable and to split them up.

Frank on his part, determined that if the marriage failed then it would not be for the want of trying on his part. In part his mother in laws hostility made him determined to beat her and was an incentive to him to make the marriage work.

Inevitably, after meeting Jill and having shortly afterwards become lovers. Frank started to develop a new perspective on his relationship with Jane. After Peter was born Frank assumed that now they had a family everything would start to change. But apart from having a child around, nothing changed at all.

Frank would like to have had more children. Jane at first agreed that it would be nice to have another baby but despite their apparent efforts nothing ever happened.

Frank was sorry; he loved children yet as time passed he began to realise that more children would have complicated his life, specially as he began to come towards the realisation realise that his marriage could soon be over. More and more when he thought of the future. It was a future with Jill that was there with him and not Jane. The longer the marriage continued, the more Frank knew that he wanted to make his life with Jill. He knew that the time could not be too far away when he had to make a decision between the two women in his life.

During his relationship with Jill, Frank determined to keep his marital problems to himself. He reasoned that Jill should not be burdened with his problems. Although Jill being very sensitive to his moods and occasionally having to put up with his frustrations realised what he was going through.

Periodically, Jill assured him that she would not break up his marriage. Once or twice she suggested heart in mouth, that perhaps they should split up. Telling him, that perhaps his marriage would be better if she was not around.

The years passed by quickly. The stalemate continued Jill had developed into a beautiful young lady. At 5' .8" of height with a slim well proportioned body and shiny dark hair. She attracted the attention of many young men,. Her vibrant, yet restrained personality made her popular with almost everyone she came into contact with. Despite this attention from other men Jill was a very determined lady. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. As time went on Franks love for Jill had matured. They rarely if ever squabbled and revelled in each others company. Even after Jane had moved to the midlands to live with Frank, he always that he found plenty of opportunities to spend time with Jill at the flat.

This was apart from any time they had together when they were away on business. All the time during their marriage, Frank was surprised that Jane never once queried Franks prolonged absences. In fact it seemed that she was happiest when he was away.

She never complained about his work, or ever hinted that he might be having a relationship with anyone else. Frank increasingly hated leaving Jill to go home to Jane. He loved everything about his job and he loved working with Jill. Frank knew that it was only Peter that was holding the marriage together.

Jill had from time to time, told Frank that her parents had started expressing disappointment that she seemed to have no boy friends. They had occasionally hinted that they were looking forward to their grandchildren.

All through their marriage Jane seemed to keep a close relationship with Chris her ex boyfriend. Frank began to suspect that Jane still had a closer relationship with her old childhood sweetheart Christopher than she had ever admitted. The fact that Christopher was an ordained priest in the Church of England allayed Franks fears initially. Shortly after Jane moved to the Midlands, it seemed coincidental that Christopher took a parish in nearby Sutton Coldfield.

Franks suspicions were increased when on a number of occasions after Frank had been away Peter had made passing references about Uncle Chris. For a time Frank supposed that this was due to the fact that Chris and his wife Katie were reasonably close friends, with both families visiting each other socially. Jane never mentioned to Frank that she had seen Christopher, although Frank was sure that he was a regular visitor to his home when he was away on business.

The fact that he was having a relationship with Jill prevented him from taking Jane to task, but his mind began to focus on the lavish Christmas and birthday presents that Christopher had given to Jane since their marriage and the amount of attention that he paid to Jane whenever they visited his house.

Chris too, was always very generous in the presents he gave to Peter; far more than Frank could afford, despite the fact that he was very well paid by the company.

Pressure of work often prevented Frank from taking Jane to see her mother. This meant that she drove herself home to Manchester. The journey taking about two hours. The frequency and length of her visits to Manchester had seemed to increase as time went on, especially after Chris gave up his parish and moved back to Manchester as part of the Industrial Chaplains group. Usually when she had been away at her mothers, Jane seemed glad to be home. Usually no matter how tired Frank was, she always seemed to insist that Frank make love to her. Yet he sensed their lovemaking had little meaning for her any more.

Jane's visits to her Mother did not matter so much when Peter was younger. But once he had started school there was a danger it would inhibit his education. One day after a fierce row, Frank had told Jane that he would not allow her to spend more time with her mother. He pointed out that if her mother needed looking after, she had more than sufficient funds to pay for a nurse or, if really necessary for a live in companion. Jane could, he told her visit her mother alternate week- ends to ensure that the arrangements were working out well, but her first commitment was to their marriage and to Peter. Jane bitterly resented this arrangement, she fought him every step of the way but eventually for the sake of peace Frank was happy to let Jane go to her Mothers most weekends as long as it did not affect Peters schooling.

His mother in law said to Frank one week - end, on one of the rare occasions when he had taken Jane home.

" I would have had her living at home if she had married Christopher as I wanted her to, instead of you"

Frank now for the first time, realised the reason behind his mother in laws animosity. At first he had thought that Jane's Mother did not want her to marry anyone, now it seemed that her animosity was personal and directed solely at him.

Although both families mixed socially. He did not like or trust Christopher, despite his being a Priest. On the other hand Christopher's wife Katie was charming and when Jane and Christopher would go off somewhere, or talk privately he would be left to entertain Katie. Frank had always liked Katie, she reminded him of Jill. They were similar in most respects. Katie was a very attractive woman with the same dark colouring as Jill. She was he thought a much more relaxed personality. She was easy to talk to and had a very well developed sense of humour.

Christopher was a big man with a large physique. He had close cropped hair and at six feet tall he weighed about sixteen stone. He was the build that most people would associate with manual labour rather than the Church. To Frank he lacked the essential humility that he had always associated with a priest. Frank privately thought of him as loud mouthed and arrogant. He enjoyed playing rugby and was good at most sports. He also bitterly resented the proprietary way in which he monopolised Jane and ignored his own wife.

Frank was sure that Katie, Christopher's wife shared his misgivings especially where Christopher's attitude to Jane was concerned. Christopher and Katie had a daughter who was a few weeks older than Peter. Jane's mother seemed to encourage Christopher and obviously enjoyed Franks obvious discomfort, at Christopher's attentions to Jane. One day Frank exasperated at the increase in the amount of times that Jane went home to Manchester. Said to Jane

" You can go and live with your Mother, but if you do that means we are finished. I will fight you for custody of Peter. It's up to you entirely, go against my wishes and I will treat it as you have ended our marriage."

Jane responded angrily " You can't get custody - he's not yours"

"What do you mean.?" Frank said, bewildered.

Jane turned away in confusion. "I meant that he's mine I've brought him up all the time while you were away on business. You're hardly ever here"

"No Jane let's get it right I'm here, but you are always at your mothers" Frank angrily responded.

For some weeks afterwards Jane's remarks returned to haunt him. Somehow her explanation and her confusion did not quite satisfy him, it did not, ring quite true.

Apart from his personal worries about Jane and her Mother. Frank enjoyed his job. He particularly enjoyed getting on to the factory floor, and getting involved in production matters, although he knew that his continual presence was irritating to both Mark Higgins the works manager and to Harvey.

His administrative duties were not so interesting or challenging and Frank deliberately avoided doing them wherever possible. Mark Higgins was a good production engineer in his own right, and obviously he quite naturally resented Franks continual presence, and what he saw as interference in his work. Although they were good friends, and on the whole got on well, they tended to disagree violently at times over matters of technology and production planning.

After Harvey's heart to heart talk to him, suggesting that he should consider moving to the USA. Frank in his heart knew that Harvey was right; he needed new challenges. The thought still persisted, at the back of his mind, that if he got Jane away from her mother he could still save their marriage. He made up his mind then, that was the last chance they had. He knew that he did not want to leave Jill, but he decided, that he must give his marriage one last chance. He decided one day that he would talk the matter over with both Jill and Jane to get there initial reaction. That evening at Jill's flat, as they relaxed in the warmth of the fire, Frank outlined the proposal that Harvey had made to him earlier that day.

Frank was surprised at the intensity of Jill's response. She jumped up angrily, from her chair, pacing the room as she spoke.

"After all the work you have put into the company you deserve to be his heir" she angrily responded.

"You ought to tell him where to stick his job and set up on your own"

" I haven't got that sort of money, Sweetheart" he responded.

"Anyway, Harvey's always been good to me, I've been well paid. I could never do that to him."

Jill told him emphatically. "If you go I will come as well."

It was immediately clear to Frank, that Jill had been desperately frightened that he would leave her. Although he loved her dearly. The intensity of her reactions in this type of situation frightened him slightly.

He sensed that his re-assurance had put her mind at rest, but understanding her as he did, he knew that she was probably feeling real animosity towards Harvey.

The next day, although he had now virtually decided not to take up Harvey's offer sheer cussedness on Franks part made him tell Jane that they could be moving to the USA to live and work.

Jane immediately replied "You will go on your own then"

"We can take your mother if you wish"

" I still won't go" Jane replied.

"Why?" Frank responded. " We would be much better off financially, a better school for Peter and a better life for us all"

Frank watched Jane carefully. It seemed to him that she was obviously seeking a credible excuse.

"Mother wouldn't like it!"

"How do you know until you ask her?" Frank replied.

Suddenly Frank became angry. For the first time he was now absolutely certain that he came very low down on her list of priorities"

I bet you would go if it was Christopher asking you?" Frank said.

Jane's face went white. "What are you implying?" I don't want Peter growing up amidst all the drugs, sex and violence of America " Jane responded angrily. "You go if you want to, but count us out"

It was during the following week, that Harvey first began to mention to Frank about his tiredness. It was on the following Monday following their chat that Harvey first spoke to Frank about it. They were sat in Harvey's room at the office, which doubled as a Company Boardroom. Frank liked this room. It was a room which was Harvey in his natural setting. It reflected his character and his philosophy towards life. All around him were objects that showed his interests. The paintings, his golfing trophies and books that had particular value for him.

He had seen the room gradually change in character over the years and as Harvey had grown older. The change in his interests. Harvey loved this factory. It was something that he had created; it represented his life work and the people who worked for him were his friends. Harvey had chosen the furnishings wisely. The deep leather chairs, the carefully selected period furniture and the collection of landscapes that Harvey enjoyed but had not been able to find room for at home.

It was a room in which Harvey looked very much at home. A room that Frank noticed duplicated the ambience of Harvey's lounge at home.

"Have you given any thought to our discussion of last week?" Harvey asked Frank.

"Oh yes. I would love to accept it" Frank answered. "But, unfortunately, I do have certain domestic problems. For instance, my wife will not leave her Mother"

The thought crossed Franks mind as he spoke to Harvey, Janes reaction to the suggestion had now made him think seriously about getting a divorce, taking Jill and going with her. The thought of leaving Peter behind in England, and not seeing him again had now become the main problem.

Harvey said to Frank. " I am now approaching 68 years of age. I have not felt on top of things recently, so, I have decided to take life easier. I am considering taking an extended holiday somewhere, probably to the states, as I have relatives there. You must from now on take over more management responsibility from me, to ease my load Frank. Can you for instance, give Mark Higgins more responsibility?"

Frank said "I'm sorry that you are not feeling well. Will you let me think about things for a day or two. I will have a word with Mark and perhaps I can come up with some suggestions "

It was also during that week that Jill started to put more gentle pressure on Frank, to break away from Alpha Productions and to set up on his own. She pointed out that she personally had got plenty of money, and the contacts to get the orders, while Frank had all the expertise they needed.

In the next few weeks, Frank began to feel the pressure of Harvey's absence. He was being distracted from doing the development work that he liked doing.

Despite the fact that he had pushed more administration on to Jill, George Armstrong and Mark Higgins, Frank began to appreciate for the first time, how much of the work Harvey had done.

Harvey still came in to the factory occasionally, or perhaps had long conversations on the phone with Frank, but he seemed distracted. It was to Frank as though Harvey was beginning to lose interest.

As the pressure at work built, so did Franks resentment. His problems with Jane were still worrying him. He knew that he should do something, but he lacked the courage to make the first move.

He rashly mentioned his problems to Harvey one day when he had made one of his rare visits.

Frank knew even as he spoke that he sounded petulant. Harvey had turned on him saying angrily.

" Frank you are the bloody managing director. "Earn your bloody money for once"

Jill having overheard Harvey's remarks, was incandescent with rage. It was only the thought that Frank would hate her for it, that she refrained from bursting in and taking Harvey to task.