Hey love, imagine this: Im sitting here thinking about Olivia Hart, a girl who grew up in a childrens home and ended up married to David Collins. One evening David storms into the kitchen, his face all scarlet, and shouts, Wheres the money I handed you yesterday? Hes waving his hands like a madman.
Olivia, whos just turned the patties on the stove, flips around. The sizzle of the fat hits the hot pan. What money? she says, wiping her hands on the apron. I never gave you anything.
Dont lie! Five quid for groceries, I left it on the nightstand in the bedroom! he snaps.
No, David, I didnt take it. Maybe you put it somewhere else?
Ive looked everywhere! Its gone! You mustve taken it and splashed it on your bits and bobs! he hisses.
Olivia turns the hob off, her hands trembling a bit. After four years of marriage shes used to his accusations, but each one still hits a raw nerve.
David, I didnt touch your cash. I have my own salary, why would I steal? she says, trying to keep her voice steady.
Salary? he scoffs. Your pocketmoney from the shop isnt a salary, its an allowance!
At that moment Margaret Collins, Davids mum, walks in. Shes been living with them for the past six months after selling her flat, and she claims shes been feeding Davids business although his business is just a job as a site manager for a construction firm.
Whats all this ruckus? she asks, glancing around. Another fight?
Mom, she stole my five quid! David snaps.
I didnt take anything, Olivia repeats quietly.
Margaret steps closer, eyes scanning Olivia from head to toe. David didnt give me any cash yesterday. He handed it to me for safekeeping because you, dear, cant manage money. Youd just waste it all.
Olivia feels a knot tighten in her chest. Again. Its like the whole familys on her side against her.
Margaret, if you took the cash, just admit it. Why pin this on me? she says, voice a little shaking.
Are you calling my mother a thief? David jumps in.
I never said that. I just want to sort this out, Olivia replies.
Theres nothing to sort, Margaret says, pulling a few notes from her cardigan. Heres the money. I kept it so you wouldnt blow it on nonsense. David, take it and buy yourself a decent shirt, will you? You cant keep showing up to work in that rag.
David stuffs the notes into his pocket without even looking at Olivia. Ta, mum. You always look after me.
Olivia stands there, the sting in her throat growing, but she doesnt let it show. In this house any hint of feeling is turned against you.
The patties are burning, Margaret remarks. Everythings going to bits. What a hopeless cook.
Olivia flips the burgers over, trying to breathe evenly, not let the tears spill. She steadies herself, just does the job.
Four years ago it was a different story. David had courted her sweetly, bringing flowers and taking her out for tea. Olivia worked in the same small shop she still works at a modest sales assistant, no qualifications, no connections. Shed grown up in a childrens home, then a council flat after leaving school, and scraped a living.
Then David appeared: goodlooking, confident, with a solid job. Hed noticed her while doing his weekly shop, struck up a chat, joked, invited her on dates. Olivia could hardly believe her luck a bloke like that, and she, a girl from a care home, with no family, no background.
Their wedding was tiny. Olivia had only a flatmate from the council flat as a guest. Davids side brought his mother, a few relatives and mates. Margaret watched Olivia with thinlyveiled disapproval, though she never said a word. That was then.
After the ceremony Olivia moved into the twobed flat David rented in a leafy suburb. She kept working, kept the house in order, tried to be a good wife. But slowly things shifted.
It started with little nags You oversalted the soup, You didnt iron my shirt properly, Youre not budgeting right. Then the accusations grew: You spend too much, You dress shabbily, Youre uneducated.
When Margaret moved in, the atmosphere turned sour. She took over as the households dictator, critiquing every move Olivia made, meddling in everything, turning David against her. And David, well, he listened to his mum always.
Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, Olivia says, setting the table.
Finally, David plops down, phone in hand, Im starving like a wolf.
Margaret peers at the spread. The salads watery, and theres hardly any bread. Are you trying to save on food?
I bought exactly what we need for the week, according to the list you made, Olivia replies.
Dont argue with your elders. Young people these days have no respect, Margaret mutters.
The dinner passes in a tense silence. David chews mechanically, Margaret sighs every now and then, clearly unhappy with the quality. Olivia barely touches her plate; theres no appetite.
Afterwards she washes up while Margaret and David lounge in the lounge, laughing at the telly. Olivia feels like a servant whos been allowed to stay.
That night David heads to bed without even a good night to Olivia. She lies awake, wondering when she became the unwanted burden.
Morning comes, and shes up before anyone else, making breakfast and packing Davids lunch. He leaves muttering something unintelligible.
Later, while Olivia sips her tea, Margaret slips into the kitchen. Olivia, we need to talk, she says.
Go on, Olivia replies.
This flat is cramped for three of us. We need more space, Margaret says, eyes cold.
So what, you want me to move out? Olivia asks.
Yes, find a room elsewhere. You have a salary, after all.
This is Davids flat. Im his wife, Olivia protests.
Wife? Margaret smirks. What kind of wife? No kids, useless around the house, not pretty. David could do better.
David chose me, Olivia says softly.
He made a mistake. People make mistakes, but they must be fixed, Margaret replies.
You want me to leave my husband? Olivia asks, voice shaking.
Im offering him a break, not a divorce. Just live apart for a while. It might work better that way.
Olivia stands, hand trembling, but she manages to say, Ill talk to David.
Talk, talk. Hell agree its his idea.
All day at work Olivia cant stop thinking about it. Does David really want her gone? Does four years mean nothing?
That evening she gets home early. Davids already there with his mum, drinking tea.
David, we need to talk, just the two of us, she says.
Talk with mum listening, she already knows everything, he replies.
Its about us, she insists.
David sighs, walks to the bedroom, and Olivia follows, closing the door behind them.
Your mother said you want me out. Is that true? she asks.
He turns to the window. Yes. I need space. Mums here, Im uncomfortable, and you just take up a room.
Im your wife!
A wife who hasnt given me a child in four years, a wife who makes barely enough as a shop assistant. What good are you?
David, we were cleared medically its not my fault. You yourself?
Shut up! he snaps, eyes flashing. Its your orphan background! Who knows whats in your family tree!
My parents died in a crash when I was three. Im a normal, healthy person! she protests.
Normal, he sneers. No family, no roots. I married you out of pity, now youre a burden.
Tears swell, but Olivia holds them back. So you want a divorce?
I want you gone. Just leave. Then well see what happens.
Where am I supposed to go?
I dont know. Back to the council flat, rent a room. Thats your problem.
David, I love you. Can we try to fix this?
Its too late, Ol. Its decided. Pack your things.
When?
Tomorrow. You have the evening to sort it out.
He walks out, leaving her alone on the bed theyd shared for four years, where shed once dreamed of children and a happy future. Everything collapses in an instant.
She starts packing: clothes, documents, a few pounds shed hidden, photos, books. Not much of her own stuff.
Margaret peeks in. Good girl, you get it. No drama, just go quietly. David will find a proper wife from a decent family.
I dont want drama, Olivia replies, still folding.
Exactly. Slip out, and thats that. Hell find someone new, someone normal.
Olivia says nothing. Margarets disdain is clear Olivia will never be good enough for her son.
Morning arrives. Olivia grabs her bags, leaves the keys on the table as instructed, and steps into the hallway. She pauses at the door, looks back at the flat thats been her home for four years, and walks down the stairs.
Outside, the early morning is quiet. The council flat shed once lived in is now full of strangers. Renting a place costs money she barely has only a few pounds left.
She heads to work, hoping to think things through. In the shop, its warm and quiet. She slides into the staff room, sits on a crate, bags beside her, trying not to cry.
Olivia? Why so early? Veronica Parker, the store manager, appears in the doorway. Shes in her fifties, firm but fair.
Just couldnt sleep, Olivia mutters.
Veronica squints at the bags. Whats wrong?
Nothing, really, Olivia says.
Veronica leans in. Dont lie to me; Ive known you four years. You cant hide anything from me. Tell me.
And Olivia pours out everything the husband, the motherinlaw, being kicked out. Veronica listens, nodding occasionally.
Thats awful, she says finally. Im sorry youve had to go through that. My daughter lives in another town; her flat is empty. You can crash with me for a night, sort things out later.
Olivia hesitates. I cant its too much.
You can, and stop calling me Veronica just Veronica. Im not your boss right now. Pack up, well go after your shift.
Ill pay you back, Olivia protests.
First get on your feet, Veronica replies, smiling. Well figure the rest later.
Tears finally break free, spilling down Olivias cheeks. For the first time, someones on her side without expecting anything.
That evening they drive to Veronicas modest twobed flat on the outskirts of town. Its simple but cosy. A narrow bed, a small table, a wardrobe.
Make yourself at home. The beds fresh, I changed the sheets yesterday. If you need anything, just shout, Veronica says.
Thank you so much, Olivia whispers, overwhelmed.
Its nothing. We all need a hand now and then. I was helped once, now I pay it forward.
Olivia settles in, arranging her few belongings, feeling a strange calm in a strangers house no criticism, no accusations.
The next day David calls. Where are you? I need you to collect the rest of your stuff.
What stuff? Ive taken everything, Olivia replies.
Theres still a box left. Can you come today?
Im at work late.
Tomorrow then. Mum needs the space for her things.
He hangs up, not even asking how shes doing.
Olivia returns after work the following day. David opens the door, hands her a box.
Take it.
Can I come in? she asks.
Why?
I want to talk.
He lets her in reluctantly. The flat smells strange. In the living room sits a young woman, about twentyfive, strikingly beautiful, with perfect hair.
This is Lena, David says. Lena, meet Olivia, my exwife.
Exwife? Lena asks, a hint of superiority in her tone. Were not divorced yet.
Just paperwork, David mutters.
Olivia feels a cold knot. So youve already found a replacement, she says softly.
Im not a replacement, Lena replies, standing. Im his girlfriend. Real, not some temporary fling.
David looks away. Weve been seeing each other for six months.
Six months. While Olivia was trying to be a good wife, he was dating someone else.
Right, youve been cheating and then blaming me for everything, Olivia says.
David smirks, looking down at her. Youre an orphan, no one will stand up for you. You have nobody, remember?
Olivias throat tightens, but she stays composed. So you want a divorce?
I want you out. Just for now. Then see what happens.
Where am I supposed to go? she asks.
I dont know. Back to the council flat, rent a room. Thats your problem.
David, I love you. Can we try again? she pleads.
Its too late, Ol. Its decided. Pack up.
She leaves with the box, hands shaking, heart pounding, but she doesnt look back.
On the walk home she cries. The tears flow, a flood of hurt and anger.
Veronica meets her with tea and a slice of cake. How did he turn out? she asks.
Hes with a new girl now, half a year already, Olivia sighs.
That bastard, Veronica says. He said Im an orphan, that no one will defend me.
Veronica puts her cup down. Hes wrong. Youve got people who care me, my colleagues, the lads from the shop. Were on your side.
Thanks, Olivia wipes her face. But whats the point? Hell get remarried, forget me.
Better that way. Youll be free from that idiot, and youll find a proper life.
Later that weekend, Veronicas friend Alina drops by. Shes also from the shop.
What? Kick him out? Alina says, shocked.
I guess so, Olivia replies, halfsmiling.
Did you talk to the manager? We have a staff support scheme you could get a little grant.
I didnt know about that.
Go see Maria Stephens on Monday. Shell sort you out.
On Monday Olivia meets Maria, the store manager. Maria listens, frowns, then says, Those bastards, Ill arrange a hardship payment and a bonus for you. Enough for a deposit on a room.
Olivia leaves with a light heart, the money will help her get a place of her own.
That evening a stranger calls. Olivia? Im Tamara, sister of Margaret Collins. I heard what happened. Im sorry, Ive been through a similar thing my first husband threw me out. If you need anything, let me know.
Olivia feels a flicker of hope. Thank you, Ill keep that in mind.
A week later she finds a modest room in a shared house. The landlady, Zinaida Thompson, is a sweet older lady who says, Make yourself comfortable, love. Keep it tidy, and youll be fine.
Olivia moves in, hangs pictures, arranges books. Its tiny, but its hers a place where no one belittles her.
David sends a message about the divorce. Olivia signs the papers, asks for nothing, just wants it over.
Three months pass. She settles into her new routine: work, modest home, occasional catches up with the shop mates. Life is quiet, steady, free of drama.
One day a man named Michael, a schoolteacher, comes into the shop buying groceries. Hes friendly, about forty, glasses, kind eyes. He returns a few times, then asks her out for tea.
Im newly single, Olivia admits, a little embarrassed.
Its fine. No pressure, just a chat, Michael says.
They meet at a café, laugh, share stories. Michael never pries into her past, just enjoys the present. He says, Youre a good person, Olivia. Strong, even if you dont feel it.
She smiles. I dont feel strong.
You are. You survived betrayal, being kicked out, a divorce, and you built a new life. Thats strength.
Their relationship grows gently. One afternoon they run into David on the street. Hes with Lena, whos visibly pregnant.
Hey, hows life? he says with a grin.
Fine. No ones humiliating me here, Olivia replies coolly.
Lena tugs his arm. Come on, love, weve got to go.
They walk away. Olivia watches them, feeling none of the old hurt, just indifference.
Later, walking handinhand with Michael through the park, she mentions the encounter. I saw David, hes with Lena now. Theyve been together half a year.
Shame, Michael saysAnd as the sun set, Olivia finally felt peace settle over her heart, knowing she had at last found a place where she truly belonged.
