I never planned to get married, to be honest. If it hadnt been for my future husbands relentless wooing, Id still be a free spirit, flitting about like a carefree bird. Thomas, like a lovesick moth, fluttered around me, never letting me out of his sight, bending over backward to please meyoud think I was made of glass. Long story short, I caved. We tied the knot.
Thomas settled into domestic life effortlesslycomfortable, familiar, like a well-worn pair of slippers. A year later, our son Oliver was born. Thomas worked in another city, coming home only on weekends, always bringing treats for Oliver. One visit, as I rummaged through his pockets before laundry (a habit after once washing his drivers license), a folded note fell out. Unfurling it, I found a school supply list (it was August) and, scribbled in a childs handwriting at the bottom: *”Daddy, come home soon.”*
Ah-ha! So *this* was how my husband amused himself while awaybigamist! No hysterics, just grabbed my bag, took Oliver (not even three yet) by the hand, and moved in with Mum. Indefinitely. She gave us a little room: *”Stay here till you sort it out.”*
Revenge simmered in my mind. I recalled an old schoolmate, Ryan. Perfect! Hed fancied me for years. I rang him up. *”Ryan, still single?”* I asked casually. *”Lucy? Blimey! Married, divorcedfancy meeting?”* he chirped. Our unplanned fling lasted six months. Thomas, meanwhile, delivered monthly child support in silence, handing it to Mum before shuffling off.
I knew Thomas was living with Emily, a single mum whose daughter called him *”Dad”*Emilys doing. The moment I left, shed swooped into *his* flat, knitting him socks, cooking hearty meals. Id learn all this later. For now, our marriage seemed kaput.
Then, over coffee (discussing divorce), nostalgia ambushed us. Thomas confessed undying love, admitted Emily was a clingy mistake. My heart softened. We reunited. (He never knew about Ryan.) Emily vanishedgood riddance.
Seven blissful years passed before Thomas crashed his car. Surgeries, rehab, a walking sticktwo gruelling years. The ordeal broke him. He drank heavily, withdrew. My pleas fell on deaf ears.
Enter Paul, my “work husband”married, expecting his second child. How we ended up in bed, Ill never know. He was shorter than me, unremarkablenot my type! Yet off we gallivanted: galleries, concerts, ballets. When his daughter arrived, Paul vanishednew job, new priorities. I didnt mind; hed been a temporary balm.
Thomas kept drinking.
Five years later, Paul would proposelaughable. Thomas briefly sobered up, working in Germany. I played dutiful wife. He returned, we renovated, bought gadgets. Life? Perfect. Until he relapsed. His mates carried him homelegless. Id scour parks for him, finding him sprawled on benches, pockets emptied.
Then, one spring, glooming at a bus stop, I barely noticed the birdsong. A whisper tickled my ear: *”Can I help, love?”* I turnedgood grief, a silver fox! Me, 45was I still *that* irresistible? Flustered, I bolted onto the bus. He waved. I daydreamed about him for weeks before caving.
Henry (his name) was relentlesswaiting for me daily, blowing kisses, once arriving with tulips. *”Where am I meant to put these at work?”* I hissed. He beamed, handing them to a nosy granny nearby. *”Ta, duck! May ye find a fiery mistress!”* I flushed crimson.
Henryteetotal, fit at 57, divorcedwas magnetic. I plunged headlong into the affair, torn between him and home. Three years of turmoil. My son Oliver caught us dining out. *”Work meeting,”* I lied. He just nodded*”In a restaurant. Right.”* He urged me not to divorce: *”Dad might come round.”*
A friend, on her third husband, warned: *”Still waters run deep”* The penny dropped when Henry raised his hand at me. *Done.* He begged; I stood firm. My friend gifted me a mug: *”Youre doing great, sweetie!”*
Thomas knew everythingHenry had called, gloating. *”Hearing him,”* Thomas admitted, *”I wanted to die. I drove you away.”*
Ten years on, weve two grandkids. Over coffee, Thomas squeezes my hand: *”Lucy, stop looking elsewhere. Im your happiness. Believe me?”*
*”Always, love.”*
