Verity Harris stood in the headnurses office, knuckles white around the edge of the desk. Her cheeks flushed, a lump jammed her throat.
Verity, do you realize there are complaints about you? This is the third this month! You cant keep working like this, Marion Clarke said, the ward manager, her voice sharp.
Verity trembled, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
Im doing everything by the book, Marion. Nurse Crutch is nitpicking every tiny thing. Shes impossible, never satisfied, she shot back, her tone harsher than intended.
Regardless of her temper, you must speak to patients with respect. Youre a nurse, not
Not what? Verity snapped. A doormat who has to endure abuse?
Marion exhaled, lifted her glasses, and rubbed the bridge of her nose wearily.
I get it, Verity. Divorce is rough, and youre still bruised. But the job is the job. Take some leave, get some rest. Im not sure how much longer I can shield you, she said, softer now.
Verity left the office, tears threatening to spill. A break will fix everything, she whispered to herself. It had been six months since Ian walked out, and the wound still ached. Each day was a grindshifts, an empty flat where her own footsteps echoed, the cold reminder of a life once shared.
In the staff break room, her only confidante, Lucy Morgan, waited with a cup of tea.
So, whats the news? Lucy asked, concern in her eyes.
Theyve offered me a few days off. They say Im on the brink of a breakdown, Verity replied.
Maybe you should actually go. Get away for a bit, clear your head, Lucy suggested.
Verity shook her head.
Where would I go? Ians alimony is a pittance, and his mother, Evelyn, has slipped some dodgy paperwork onto me. She says his income is tiny and the flat is in her name.
Youre a shrew, Lucy muttered. I told you not to sign those papers.
I thought we were a family. I never imagined he could treat me like that.
Verity poured herself tea from the thermos, sinking into the cracked chair, hands shaking. She was exhaustedby the job, the relentless thoughts, the hollow ache in her chest.
Lucy, have I really changed? Am I becoming angry? she asked, voice cracking.
Lucy placed a hand on her shoulder.
Youre just protecting yourself. After twenty years with a man who left you for a younger woman with no children, anyone would feel bitter, Lucy said.
I dont want to be bitter, Verity whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. I just want a normal life, free of this pain.
That evening she trudged home on foot, saving on bus fare. October was bleak, rain slicking the streets, leaves clinging to her shoes, the wind slipping under her coat collar. She stared at the pavement, lost in thought.
When Ian left, she had convinced herself it was a nightmare, that hed return, hang his coat by the hall, ask what was for dinner, and theyd slip back into the routine they once knew. Instead, his mother arrived, a stack of papers in hand and a cold stare.
Ian needs his space, Evelyn said, tapping the table. You suffocated him with your care. Theres no love left in the marriage. Verity listened, unrecognising the woman she had called Mum for years.
The flat is in my name now. Its my property, Evelyn declared. But I wont throw you out. Stay until you get your bearings.
I lived here for twenty years, Verity whispered. Ian and I renovated it, bought the furniture
You bought it with my money, Evelyn snapped. Dont forget, Ian is my son, and Ill always side with him.
Silence fell. Verity packed her belongings and moved into a tiny council flat on the outskirts, shared with a neighbour who drank too much and a communal kitchen that smelled of cats. It was hers, and no one could snatch it away.
She paused outside the building, spotting a familiar black sedan at the entranceIans car from six months ago. Her heart tightened. He was here. Why?
Climbing the stairs, voices drifted from the landing. Ian and Evelyn stood before her door, Evelyn gesturing wildly, Ian nodding.
Verity! Ian called, relief flashing across his face. Finally! Weve been waiting an hour.
She fumbled for her keys, about to unlock the door when Evelyn stepped forward.
Wait, we need to speak first.
Theres nothing to say, Verity tried to keep her voice steady, though her insides trembled. Please let us in.
Dont be like that, love, Ian pleaded, looking older, weary, dark circles under his eyes. Were here to make amends.
Verity froze. To make amends? she repeated, disbelief coating each word.
Yes, Ian finally sees his mistake, Evelyn cooed, her tone sugary. He was fooled by that materialistic girl, repents, wants to come back.
Back, Verity echoed, the word reverberating in the hallway.
Were a family, Evelyn continued, twenty years together, you cant just walk away.
Ian extended a hand, but Verity stepped back.
Lets talk inside, properly. Ill explain everything, she said, forcing calm.
Explain what? Veritys anger flared. What you left me for in the dead of night, claiming you loved someone else? Or how your mother threw me out of the home I poured my heart into?
Verity, dont start, Evelyn warned, lips pressed thin. We came with good intentions.
Good intentions? Verity laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. You show up because your son is alone, because the girl he chased turned out to be smarter than me. Now you expect me to take him back?
You dont get it, Ian began, but Verity cut him off.
I understand perfectly. Six months ago you told me I smothered you, that there was no love left, that you needed space. And you were right.
Verity
No, let me finish. I spent thirtyfive years ironing your shirts, cooking your favourite meals, putting up with your mothers meddling. I gave up my career because you wanted a housewife. I never had children, and I endured your mothers cruel remarks, calling me defective.
I never said those things, Ians face went pale.
You didnt say them, but you stayed silent while your mother demeaned me. Silent while I wept.
Evelyn sighed dramatically.
Enough, Verity. Ians here to apologise. Hes remorseful. Isnt that enough?
It isnt, Verity stared Evelyn deadondead. Do you know what Ive learned in these six months? I finally live for myself. Yes, Im broke, yes, Im in a tiny flat, but this is my life. No one can dictate how I live it.
Can we at least go inside? Ian asked, glancing toward the neighbours door where footsteps echoed. We dont want to be seen by strangers
Strangers? Verity smirked. To you theyre strangers. To me theyre neighbours, and they treat me better than you and your mother ever did.
How dare you! Evelyn snapped. I was like a mother to you!
A mother doesnt evict you from your roof, Verity replied coolly. A mother doesnt strip a woman who cared for her son for two decades of shelter.
The flat is mine on paper!
On paper, yes. On conscience, no
Conscience is irrelevant. The law is the law, Evelyn snapped.
Verity nodded slowly.
Youre right. The law is the law. Im not asking for the flat, money, or an apology. I just want you both to leave and never return.
Verity, wait, Ian grabbed her wrist. Im truly sorry. I was a fool. That Christina
I dont care about Christina. Who she was, why she left, its irrelevant. Im done caring, Verity said, releasing his hand. Im over it.
But we spent twenty years together! We had love!
We had love on my side. You had something elseconvenience, habit, Verity replied. Now, step aside.
She turned the key, her hands steady now, a calm she hadnt felt in months settling over her.
Ian, tell her, Evelyn nudged her son. Dont just stand there like a statue.
Mum, hold on
I didnt sit through two hours of traffic just to be driven out by a stubborn woman! Youll regret this, Verity. Good men like my Ian are hard to find! Evelyn shouted, her lipstick flashing.
Verity faced her, saw the expensive coat, the flawless makeup, the commanding posture. Then she looked at Ian, head bowed like a punished schoolboy.
Youre right, Evelyn, Verity said quietly. Good men are scarce. Thats why Im done hunting for them.
Youll regret it! At fortythree, who needs you? Youll be alone! Evelyn wailed.
Maybe, Verity shrugged. But better alone than with someone who never values you.
She opened the door and stepped into the hallway, turned once more.
Ian, I wish you no ill. Live happily if you can, but without me.
Verity, wait
She shut the door, leaned against it, eyes closed. Voices drifted from the other sideEvelyns protest, Ians soft reply, then the clatter of a lift.
Verity retreated to her flat, slipped off her shoes, collapsed onto the battered bed. Silence wrapped her like a blanket. The loneliness was no longer terrifying; it was a relief, as if a weight had finally lifted.
Her phone buzzed. Lucys name flashed.
Hey, hows it going? Handled Crutch?
Verity smiled, typing back.
Handled her. And more.
She rose, walked to the window. Night had fallen, street lamps flickering, the city humming with lifecars, hurried strangers, bustling pubs. She was part of it now, not anyones wife, not anyones daughterinlaw. Just Verity.
Morning light filtered through thin curtains. She lay awake, replaying yesterdays scene. Had it really happened? Yes. Ian and his mother had stood at her door begging for reconciliation, and she had turned them away.
She did her exercises, a habit shed reclaimed over the past monthsmorning runs, a yoga class at the community centrenot to impress anyone, but because she finally had time for herself.
At work Lucy noticed the change.
Youre glowing, she said, surprised. Whats happened?
Ian showed up with his mother, wanted to make up, Verity replied. I sent them offpolitely but firmly.
Lucy clapped her on the shoulder.
Brave girl. Im proud of you.
Lucy, I didnt sleep last night. I realised Id spent twenty years in his shadow, living for his wishes, his mothers criticism. Id forgotten who Verity is, what she wants.
What do you want now?
Verity paused.
I dont know yet. I just know I wont go back to what was. It feels like breaking out of a cagescary at first, then you realise you can fly.
Beautifully put, Lucy smiled. What if he comes back?
He wont. I saw the look on his faceexpecting me to bow. Hes lost.
Later that week Verity entered Marions office.
Marion, about the leave. I think Ill take a week, maybe two, she said.
Of course, Verity. Where to?
To my sisters in the countryside. Its been ages.
Her sister, Gail, lived three hundred miles away in a small village in the Cotswolds. Verity hadnt visited in yearswork, the flat, Ian.
Gail greeted her with an embrace.
Verity, darling! Come in, come in!
The cottage was modest but cosy, the air scented with fresh scones and apples. A ginger cat purred by the hearth, geraniums brightened the windowsill.
Youve lost weight, Gail noted, pouring tea. And you look pale.
Divorced, Verity replied tersely.
Good riddance to that Ian! Hes a scoundrel, a leech, Gail laughed, slamming her palm on the table. You spent two decades serving him and his mother, and they kicked you out when a new lover showed up.
Gail
Look, the funniest part: they came to make up yesterday. The very girl he dumped turned out to be a golddigger. Now hes begging to return.
And you sent them packing? Gail asked, grinning.
Exactly.
Now live for yourself. Youre still young, beautiful. Lifes ahead of you.
Im fortythree, Gail. Is there still a life?
At fortythree youre not done. My neighbour is fiftyeight and married a widower last year. Shes thriving.
Verity spent ten days with Gail: walking the woods, picking mushrooms, helping on the farm. Gail never pried about the past, just offered steady companionship.
One evening on the porch, sipping honeyed tea as the sun painted the sky pink, Gail asked, Ever thought of moving here permanently?
Leaving everything behind?
Yes. The house is big, theres work at the local clinic. Pays lower than the city, but the stress is gone.
Verity considered it. The quiet, the absence of everywhereeverywhere reminders of Ian.
I dont know. It feels like abandoning my flat, my job, everything Ive known.
Abandoning what? The council flat? The job that never values you? The city where every corner holds a memory of him?
Back in London, the grey sky pressed down, the streets swarmed, the council flat greeted her with its damp smell and a shouting neighbour.
Work was unchangedCrutch still complained, Marion still sighed. Lucy welcomed her return, but noticed a thoughtful gaze.
Whats on your mind? she asked over lunch.
Gail suggested I move to the village, Verity confessed.
Would you go?
It feels like fleeing, but maybe its exactly what I needstart over somewhere new.
Lucy fell silent.
Verity, Ill support whatever you choose. Just think it through. Village life is different. You wont have the same pace, the same distractions.
Maybe Ill regret it. But staying here, Ill definitely regret it, Verity answered.
A few days later, walking home from her shift, Verity saw Ian outside a shop window, arm around a young woman who wasnt the one hed left her for. They laughed, oblivious to her stare. He caught her eye, glanced briefly, then continued on without a word.
Verity stood frozen, then burst into laughterhalf hysterical, half cathartic. She realized she didnt need his validation, his apologies, his mothers pleas. She was free.
The next morning she handed in her resignation.
Are you serious? Lucy asked, eyes wide.
Absolutely. Im moving to Gails. Starting fresh.
What about the flat? Your things?
I have barely anything. Two suitcases and a bag. Ill give away the rest or toss it.
Lucy hugged her.
Ill miss you. Promise youll call.
I promise.
Packing took a week. Two suitcases held her whole world. On her final walk through the city, she passed the park where she and Ian once strolled, lingered by the old building theyd sharedno longer a home, just a memory.
On the bus, she watched the familiar skyline recede, the countryside stretching ahead. Fear didnt grip her; for the first time in years, she felt calm.
At the bus station, Gail waited.
All set? she asked.
All set, Verity replied, a genuine smile breaking across her faceno bitterness, just relief.
Life in the village wasnt easy, but Verity never regretted the choice. She found work at the local health centre, rented a modest cottage near Gails, and evenings were spent on the porch, tea in hand, chatting about everything and nothing.
Sometimes she recalled that night shed shut the door on Ian and his mother, the tremor in her hands, the terror of solitude. Now she understood that moment had been the start of her true lifea life where she finally held the lead role.
