A week alone would have softened her, smooth as silk, but when he saw what had happened in that time he froze the moment he crossed the threshold.
Emily hadnt been herself for a while. Cracks were forming in her marriage to Tom, and she felt trapped in a painful limbo. It all began with the little things, as it usually does.
After work Tom started lobbing poisonous remarks at her. His jokes turned spiteful, each word cutting deeper than a slap. Day by day his behaviour worsened, even when they were on holiday he gave her no respite.
Look at you, you look like an old hag! he barked, never putting the phone down. Other blokes have wives who look like wives. Mine looks like a shriveled prune!
Sure enough, Emily seemed older than her years. Her job was hard and relentless, leaving lines around her mouth. Hearing that from her own husband hurt the most. She worked for the family, earning twice as much as Tom, so he had no excuse to moan.
Tom spent his money however he liked, never asking anyones opinion: Where I want, I spend! He had no children to think about.
Emily endured that too. Money was enough for them to get by. They werent officially married, but they lived as a couple and werent in any rush to tie the knot. Still, Toms mother had long called Emily his daughterinlaw, and Emily took to calling her Muminlaw.
Muminlaw proved meddlesome and never happy. She constantly stuck her nose into the young couples affairs, and most of the nagging landed on Emilys shoulders.
They lived in a detached house on the outskirts of Birmingham. Though the town was close, the garden needed constant attention. Emily often begged Tom for a hand:
I just cant keep up Im at the office from dawn till dusk!
What’s it to me? Tom snapped. Its your house, youre the lady of the home, whats it got to do with me?
And so it was: in winter the driveway was buried in snow until Emily fetched a shovel herself; in summer the grass grew up to the windows. They had to hire a gardener now and then, and after work Emily would finish the jobs herself.
Meanwhile Tom lounged on the sofa, only getting up now and then to glance at the progress.
Emily forgave many things, but the final straw came when she returned home after a grueling day at the office. She was exhausted, dragging her feet, and had stopped in a convenience store on the way, the weight of the bag making her hand ache.
She hoped Tom would meet her she even rang, but he didnt answer. Sighing and wiping the sweat from her brow, she heard music drifting from the back garden.
She left the bag by the gate and hurried in, where a merry disco was in full swing. Inside resentment and anger roiled today she would finally let it all out.
The house was a proper party. Loud music rattled the windows, the tables were laden with snacks and the meal Emily had prepared earlier, so she wouldnt have to fuss in the evening. Tom, ignoring his wife, was dancing with a woman who had clearly overindulged and dressed rather provocatively.
Without a word, Emily crossed the room and switched the music off.
Tom blinked, his eyes still cloudy: What are you doing? he slurred, swaying.
I was about to ask you that! Whats going on? Whos that woman?
His partner kept moving as if nothing had happened.
Whats the big deal? Tom snorted. Just an old school friend, thought wed have a laugh. Or cant I relax in my own house?
If you remember, you said this is my house and you have no right to interfere. So clear out, see your guest off, and then well talk!
I wont! Tom tried to stand, but his legs gave way.
Emily already felt revulsion. Hed long stopped being a man to her just a burden, no help at all. Living with him out of fear of being alone? No thank you.
She seized the other womans arm and ushered her to the gate: Time for you to go!
Then she returned to the house: Are you staying or are you leaving yourself?
Tom shrugged, grabbed a salad and a bottle from the table, staggered toward the door and shouted, Youll manage without me, you drama queen!
Blast! his mother wailed, clutching her head. My heads splitting!
Mother, dont shout! Emily turned me away because I didnt meet her, Tom lied, knowing his mum would side with him.
Whats there to meet? she asked, puzzled.
Who knows! Shes always finding fault: this, that! Im fed up! Maybe Im tired from work too? Think its easy for me? Why should I help in a house that isnt mine?
Exactly! his mum encouraged. Let her sort out the property, claim her share, then ask! Dont let her think youre a donothing. Shes the one who should manage herself!
Thats what I told her! She took offence!
Let her be upset! Dont give in! No need to cede anything! She wants marriage shell endure! Shes not a child any longer!
What am I to do now? Tom asked, his head low.
Hang on, son! his mother urged. Shell crawl back soon, begging you to take her in. Shell spend a week alone and realise what shes done! When she returns, demand she register her name. Otherwise shell be left on her own!
Emilys brother, Mark, had been listening, nodding along.
Youre right, mum! I wont put up with her whims! Who does she think she is, ordering me around? Im no servant, Im a grown man, my own master!
Following his mothers advice, Tom decided to act. He didnt turn up at the house, didnt call Emily, and waited a full week.
His own mother, however, kept nagging him: do this, do that. When he tried to object, she reminded him of the oldfashioned discipline: a firm swat with a wooden spoon on his back.
Dont think youre at your wifes place, youre at your mothers! If you dont work, you wont get lunch! she declared, blunt and without apology.
At last, after those seven days, Tom mustered the courage to return: Im coming back, Mum! Ill see how she does without me. Shell be crawling on her knees, begging me to return!
Go, go! Dont give up! Speak clearly youll only get back on your own terms!
He left the house feeling like a victor, chin up, shoulders straight, stride confident, as if he were about to claim his rightful place.
He approached the gate, stepped into the garden and stopped dead.
Something was off.
He looked around: the garden was immaculate, the grass clipped to a perfect line, the windows sparkling, the flowerbeds neat, the paths clean, no hint of overgrowth. The gate itself was brand new, solid and reliable rather than the squeaky old one theyd had.
Tom fished out his key, only to find it no longer fit. He paused, then knocked firmly on the door.
Inside, footsteps halted, then the door opened.
But it wasnt the Emily he knew. She didnt look weary, with dark circles under her eyes. She stood fresh, smiling, eyes bright.
I thought youd be here all alone, suffering You could at least have called! she said, tilting her head playfully.
Why would I? Tom asked.
Why? My husband disappears for a week and I get nothing at all? she replied, laughing.
I dont have a husband, she said calmly.
Where will he come from? Emily giggled. Just one bloke who tried to turn up, and that was a flop. No point dwelling on it!
Toms face flushed: What are you talking about? Youll get a proper slap and speak properly! I should have raised you right!
He stepped forward, but Emily didnt flinch.
A tall man emerged from the doorway, placed a hand on her shoulder and said firmly, Hey, mate, get out. And do it quietly.
This who? A lover? Tom sneered. If you chase him away Ill forgive you and come back! Ill even promise not to hit! he declared, trying to sound magnanimous.
Then the world seemed to tilt. Either gravity faltered or time slipped; Tom, who had just been standing, was now sprinting as if chased by demons, with someone unseen pushing him faster.
Emily was on the front steps, laughing until tears fell, watching her older brother chase the former flatmate off the property. He hurled himself at the gate while her brother gave him a couple of solid kicks.
As soon as Tom was beyond the threshold, Mark slammed the gate shut and turned to his sister:
Emily, dont think about taking that fool back! Honestly, I dont understand how you ever put up with him!
Emily sighed deeply: Im a fool, thats why I stayed. I kept hoping hed change.
You cant change a man, you just get stuck with him! If you need help around the house, call me, Ill come round. And let him know hes not welcome here any more.
What if he doesnt get the message?
Then Ill explain again, Mark winked, and together they stepped into the house.
Inside, the guests were still watching the scene through the windows, glasses raised.
To the birthday girl! someone shouted.
To the birthday lady! the crowd echoed, and the glasses chimed.
Emily smiled. How wonderful it was to have a big brother caring, strong, and always there.
