Pauline Hart and her husband have been together for twentysix years. They meet at university, marry after graduating, and two years later their son James is born. It is a typical British family.
James grows up, gets married and moves to London with his wife. When he leaves, Paulines life with her husband Alex changes sharply. Suddenly they have nothing to talk about, and they dont miss the chatter. They know each other inside out, finish each others sentences, share a glance and then fall silent.
When Pauline first starts work after university, there is a woman in the office about fortyfive. To Pauline she looks old, even though shes only in her midforties. She always takes winter holidays and returns with an even tan. Her short, boyish blonde haircut only highlights the olive tone of her skin.
Must be going to the tanning salon, whispers a young colleague, Lucy.
One day Pauline cant hold back and asks the woman how she manages such a colour in winter.
We spend the holidays at a ski resort in the Scottish Highlands with our husbands, the woman replies.
Really? At your age? Pauline exclaims.
The woman laughs.
At my age? Im only fortyfive. When you reach my years you realise this is the real youth not childish, but mature. Remember, my dear, boredom is the biggest enemy of a marriage. All affairs and divorces start from it. When the kids grow up, life settles into a quiet routine. Thats when men start to lose their minds. We women never have time to be bored. We work, look after the children, and still shoulder the household chores. Meanwhile the man lounges on the sofa, rests after work and wonders what to do with his unused energy. Some drink, some look for new thrills, as the saying goes, they start hunting for a new woman.
I was foolish, thinking my husband was just tired, that a bit of TV didnt hurt. I fluttered around the house like a windmill. Then one day he announced hed fallen in love with someone else, that life with me was boring, and he left. Can you imagine?
When I remarried, I dealt with my new husband very differently. I made him help around the house, we always escape to the country on weekends, ski in winter, never give him a minute to relax on the couch. Were still together, the kids are grown, and we travel around the UK. It may not suit everyone, but take note.
Pauline remembers those words well. She notices that after a hearty dinner Alex drifts to the sofa and the TV. It becomes harder to pull him away. He used to go trekking, rapelling down river rapids. He used to plan surprise birthday parties for her!
Pauline tries to jolt Alex awake, buying theatre tickets, a cruise around the Thames on a threedeck riverboat.
In the theatre he dozes, at a houseguest party he yawns after a couple of glasses of wine, and rushes back to his favourite sofa. On the boat the cabin feels cramped. The ski slopes are a joke; his growing belly makes him refuse any active sport.
When Pauline suggests a cinema outing, Alex looks at her with weary eyes and says, Where are you dragging me? I just want a quiet weekend, a proper sleep. Go with your friends.
When they first lived together, Alex used to go camping with his mates. They formed a tightknit crew, loved whitewater rafting on fast rivers, and Alex played guitar and sang decently.
Pauline never joined them work never let her, then pregnancy, then caring for their little boy.
Dont give your husband too much freedom. Hell find a likeminded friend, warns Paulines mother.
For an affair you dont need the outdoors. You can find someone right here. I trust Alex, Pauline answers, believing his camping stories.
Later the group leader settles down, starts a family, and the trips stop.
One lazy Sunday Pauline plops down next to Alex on the sofa with a photo album. At first shes reluctant, then she gets drawn in, flipping through pictures and reminiscing.
Wouldnt you like to relive the old days, feel the youth again? she asks.
No. With whom? Everyones busy, with grandchildren.
With me. Ive never been on your trips. Show some initiative, call your old mates, maybe someone will agree.
Youre serious? We were wild and reckless then, now
Now were too clever? Pauline smiles sarcastically. Then lets go to the theatre this weekend, have a cultured night, she says, slamming the album and sending a puff of dust into the air.
Alex thinks about it. Over dinner he says, I talked to a mate, Tolik. Hell map out a route, he still has his old tents. We can rent a raft from the sports centre. Pauline watches his eyes light up, and it thrills her.
He finally shows interest in life beyond the sofa, only talking about the upcoming trek.
Youll have to think, Paul. Youre a beginner, itll be tough at first. Therell be river rapids, mosquitoes, sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags, no showers, no warm toilets, youll have to crawl under bushes. Youll probably want to turn back on day one, Alex warns.
I wont give up, Pauline promises.
Fine then, Alex says, eyeing her manicured nails, fluffy house slippers and a robe with birds. Youll need proper gear, not stilettos.
They shop together, Alex never letting go of her wrist.
I know youll buy swimsuits and dresses, but for a trek you need warm clothes and sturdy boots.
Pauline trusts him completely, obeys his suggestions. Packing the rucksacks becomes her project. Soon the bags are ready.
Put it on, lets see how you handle it, Alex orders.
Groaning, Pauline lifts the heavy pack, bends under its weight, realizing shell have to walk over uneven ground, through ditches and brambles.
Take it off, lets see what youve packed, Alex says.
She sighs with relief as she empties the bag, revealing hair curlers, a makeup case, a hairdryer, dozens of creams, shampoos and a pile of weekendwear, none of which belong on a mountain.
Your mosquitoes will have a field day, Alex jokes. Maybe you should stay home? he adds, pity in his voice.
Pauline looks bewildered. Alex removes the unnecessary items, leaving only the essentials. The pack becomes much lighter.
I can do this, she declares, feeling buoyed.
She recalls trying to drag Alex into theatres and art galleries, pushing her interests onto him. He had once gone along. Now, as his partner, she should stand by him in both hardship and joy.
The closer they get to departure, the more doubts creep in. At the train station, a platform crowded with three other men and a woman, they wait for the coach that will carry them away from civilized comforts.
Are the other men divorced? Pauline asks quietly.
No, their wives are at home with grandchildren, Alex replies.
The journey is lively; the men tell funny stories, Alex pulls out an old guitar from the luggage rack and strums a few chords. Pauline decides that if this goes well, shell truly enjoy it.
But after they alight a few miles from the station, Paulines back aches from the pack, her legs tremble, sweat drenches her face. She feels ashamed to complain while the men lug sleeping bags, tents and a deflated inflatable boat.
The countryside is beautiful, yet she sees nothing, focused on not tripping, not falling, not breaking a bone. When they finally reach the river, all she wants is to lie on the grass and stop moving. The men quickly light a fire, pitch tents as if theyre not exhausted.
Youll get used to it, encourages Tina, the wife of one of the men. Lets fetch water, we need to cook dinner.
She feels tears of longing for a warm shower and a soft bed.
Then the fire crackles, Alex plays the guitar with feeling and sings. She forgets how lovely his voice sounds. Here he is alive, bright, laughing. She sees again the Alex she fell in love with at first sight.
The next day you still not thinking of running away? Alex asks, eyeing the blisters on her hands from the raft ride.
No, Pauline answers firmly.
At the rapids she hesitates. The river roars, sharp stones jut from the water. She wants to suggest staying on the bank, but seeing Alexs mischievous grin, she stays silent, clinging to the rafts side, forgetting the oars, terrified of being swept into the cold.
When the rapids finally pass, she exhales deeply and shouts triumphantly louder than anyone else.
A week later they return home, exhausted but happy, their minds full of new memories. Pauline realises she will miss the new friends, the songs around the fire, the open air and quiet.
After a shower and a hearty homecooked dinner, they sit sidebyside at the laptop, scrolling through photos, teasing each other, laughing. They havent done this in ages. The trek has brought them back together; they now share common interests again. They fall asleep in each others arms, just like in their youth.
What about doing another trek next year? Pauline asks, curling close to Alexs warm side.
You liked it, did you? Alex laughs. Its not a West End show or a fancy restaurant. Its life.
Now I know what to prepare for. You wont be embarrassed for me, she promises.
It wasnt embarrassing. For a beginner you were brilliant. I didnt expect it. You surprised me, Alex replies.
Pauline blushes at the praise.
When James calls, she chatters excitedly about the adventure.
Your life sounds wild, I thought youd be bored and lonely, he jokes.
Were bored, actually. How are you?
Were waiting for a baby a boy or a girl, James says cheerfully.
After her holiday, Pauline returns to work glowing, eyes bright, wearing a beaded friendship bracelet on her wrist.
Did you holiday down south? Youve got a nice tan. Lovely bracelet, a colleague remarks.
Its a talisman. A shaman gave it to me, Pauline replies.
So, to revive a fading relationship, dont stay stuck at home share your partners interests. Extreme adventures may not suit everyone, but theres always something else to try. As one writer once said, Never regret the effort you put into saving love. Pauline slips the bracelet over her wrist each morning, a small reminder of rushing water and shared laughter. She starts leaving notes in Alexs trekking bootssilly jokes, song lyrics, promises of next summers trip. On Sundays, they no longer linger on the sofa; instead, they pore over maps, arguing good-naturedly about routes. The silence between them has changedits no longer hollow, but full, like the quiet after a storm when the air still hums. One evening, as Alex tunes his guitar by the window, Pauline watches the light catch the silver in his hair, and she thinks: this is not a second chance, but a continuationolder, wiser, and deeper than before.
