Alright, love, listen up. Yesterday evening I was scrolling through the property listings and spotted a threebed flat in the part of Manchester weve been eyeing exactly what we wanted, right in a decent neighbourhood. Weve got enough saved for it, havent we? If we sell the cottage, we can help Emily clear her mortgage. Lets go see it, I said, my eyes all bright with excitement. Simon just gave a tired wave and muttered, Not today, love. I was up until midnight finalising that report yesterday, and Ill probably be out late again tonight. He grabbed his car keys, the folder of papers, downed the last of his coffee and was out the door.
I sighed, not wanting to argue. Honestly, Ive been missing how hes barely home these days late nights, even weekends, but his salarys good, and Ive been dreaming of moving closer to Emily. Weve been tucking away every extra pound from his pay into a savings account, while living off my motherinlaws pension and my own wages. Im the communitycentre manager in the little village and run the local dance club on the side. Its a grind, but being near my daughter and working in a proper town centre was always the plan, so I can put up with the sacrifices.
Simon and I met in the county town while he was finishing his final year at university and I was at the dance academy. We fell head over heels, so as soon as his degree was handed over we got married and moved to his familys cottage. I dropped out after a year, didnt look back the fact that Simon was now my husband felt like the whole world was set right, and I was sure wed have a long, happy life together.
Things got rocky fast, though. Right after we settled in, Simon was called up for his year of National Service. I was already bracing for the separation, and then his mum, Margaret, swooped in. The moment she saw her son back with a wife, she made it clear she didnt like me a bit. She barely spoke to Simon, only snapping, You promised! I tried to win her over, took on any chores she suggested, but nothing stuck.
I asked Simon why he hadnt called her first, what hed promised, why she was so hostile. He told me about his sister, whod died two years ago at seventeen after a reckless romance with a bloke fresh out of prison. Shed run away, theyd taken a motorbike, he was drunk, she was killed, and the lad went back to jail for good. After the funeral, Margaret made Simon swear never to marry without her sayso. He broke that promise, and thats why shes still sour.
I wasnt sure whether to stay with Margaret, but I told her I wasnt moving out I loved Simon and would do anything to get on with his mum. And you know what? Within a couple of weeks Margarets frost melted. She saw I was hardworking, cheerful and kind, and even though shed always been a bit prickly, she admitted I was a good match for her son. She also learned Id lost my own mother eleven years ago, grew up with my dad, whos now remarried to a woman with two little kids. My stepmum told me straight up Id have to fend for myself, but I didnt marry Simon for any of that I loved him, plain and simple.
Margaret eventually hugged me, tears in her eyes a mix of sadness and relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. A year later Simon got a job at the district office and started commuting daily. I became the organiser and head of the dance club at the community centre. Money was tight, especially after Emily was born, but Margaret helped us out she looked after her granddaughter and never held back. Then Simon landed a spot at a solid firm, started travelling for work, got promotions and his salary shot up. The tiny village hall was replaced by a brandnew community centre, and I was put in charge. I kept my dance club running, took the kids to competitions and they kept bagging prizes. Life finally settled into a comfortable rhythm: we bought a nice car, refurbished the house, and even managed a seaside break now and then.
Everything was sweet until Emily moved to Manchester for university and got married. I missed her like mad, and the thought of finally working in a big city cultural centre nagged at me. So I suggested to Simon we save up, sell the cottage and buy a flat in the city where Emily lives, using the proceeds to clear her mortgage. He thought about it for a minute, then happily agreed, saying theres a branch of his company there, so I could transfer. He warned it wouldnt be easy his whole salary would have to go straight into a savings account, and wed survive on Margarets pension and my wages. The whole family backed the plan, and we started saving.
Things got tougher, but I never complained. I wasnt raised as a spoiled kid, after all. Simon began staying later and later at work, citing extra responsibilities that meant a bigger paycheck. I believed him, never suspecting anything shady, but it gnawed at me. When I timidly brought it up, he snapped, Im working from dawn till dusk to bring in more money, and youre going to whinge about it? Decide what you want me living next to you or a flat by the city? Do you want a grandchild to pop over by bus? Just bite the bullet and endure. I swallowed my pride and kept my mouth shut, but the tension stayed.
One night Simon came home at half past one in the morning for the third night running. I finally said I wasnt up for moving anywhere else, I just wanted him home in the evenings so we could do things together, visit friends, be a proper couple again. He listened, stripped off his work clothes and lay down, staring at the wall. The next morning he was late again. Then, without warning, he vanished. He left for work one morning and never came back. His phone was switched off, and I couldnt even call anyone at his office Id never really known any of his colleagues.
I rang every morgue and hospital, terrified and sobbing, and eventually decided to drive into Manchester to his firm. Margaret was there, eyes rimmed with exhaustion, looking as sleepless as I felt. Dont worry, Mum, well find him, alive and well, I said as gently as I could, hugging her. Tears welled up, my throat tightened, but I kept telling myself, Hell turn up, I know it.
At the bus stop a friend shouted, Hey, you heading into town? Going to buy a new car? I was baffled. She went on, I saw Simon at the bank a few days ago, pulling out a huge sum from his account. Thought he was buying something, but I heard hes in trouble with the council. My heart stopped. Perhaps whatever that money was had something to do with his disappearance.
I raced to his office, only to learn from the receptionist that hed quit a week ago and gone off to some unknown job. I filed a missingperson report at the police station; they took my statement seriously and promised to start a search.
The next day an officer called me in, looking annoyed. Why didnt you tell us youd divorced three months ago? That changes everything. Did you find any of his documents at home? He showed me a copy of a court order and a marriageend certificate. I was stunned Id never heard of any divorce.
Back home I told Margaret everything. She gasped, clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with terror. What? she whispered. I could barely breathe. After a moment she stammered, Im sorry, love, its my fault. Simon told me theyd been serving you legal papers about a loan fraud. He asked me to hide them so you wouldnt get upset. He said hed sort it out with a judge he knew. I didnt realise they were actually for a divorce. I never meant to keep this from you.
Did he fake the divorce? I asked, my voice shaking. She nodded, tears streaming. He told me this morning hes left with another woman, theyre getting married, and hes taken all the money his salary. She sobbed harder, I was thinking of moving into a care home and signing it over to you, hoping youd forgive me. I stood up, shivered like Id walked through a freezer, but the cold was inside me. I remembered the lilac bush and the two birch trees we planted by the fence years ago, still standing strong, unlike our marriage.
I left the house, stood in the yard for a few minutes, feeling the chill creep through my bones. Then I turned back, faced Margaret, and said, I wont let you go, Mum. Simon betrayed me, not you. I love you like my own mother, and I know youd never hurt me. I hugged her tightly, both of us crying.
That night, after wed both calmed down, we phoned Emily and told her everything. She was horrified, swore shed never forgive Simon, and then suggested we all move in with her. Were expecting twins soon, so well need you, Gran. Sell your house, come to us. Our flats threebed, theres room for everyone, she said. Margaret and I looked at each other, tears mixing with smiles, and said yes.
Later, Simon did turn up once, dropped by the city, but Emily wouldnt even let him in. Maybe he wanted a second chance, maybe not. Either way, nobody was waiting for him any more.
