Youre done for, mate
George wasnt in a hurry to go home after work. The rented flat could hardly be called homejust a temporary shelter. He took the long way round, driving aimlessly through the city. Rain lashed against the car windows, and the wind tore golden leaves from the trees. One stubborn leaf clung to the passenger-side wiper. Summer was well and truly over. His father used to say, *”As the woman, so the summer.”*
His father. No saint, that onefond of a drink, especially after payday. His mother would scold, but George loved those nights when his dad stumbled home tipsy. Hed soften, slipping George a fiver. The next day, after school, George would dash to the shop to chase his dreamsa flick knife like Steves, or a bottle of Coke and a bag of crisps.
Simpler times. Back when life was easy, when his parents were there to shield him, explain things, guide him. And somewhere in that distant past was Emilya fragile girl with wheat-blonde hair and clear blue eyes. A stiff breeze mightve carried her away, so he always held her hand.
But they never had the chance to grow into something solid. He kissed her just oncea fleeting press of lips against lips. All hed wanted was to walk forever, hand in hand with her.
Her father was military. She transferred into their school in Year 8. By Year 10, her dad was reassigned, and the whole family moved to Manchester.
How many times had he almost called or texted? But what then? They werent coming back, and hed never set foot in Manchester. Why torture himself with hope? She mustve felt the same, because she never reached out either.
Yet her memory clung stubbornly to his heart. Every girl hed ever fancied since had reminded him of Emily. But none lived up to the imagereal or imaginedhe carried.
His wife was nothing like Emily. Or rather, *she* chose *him*. Theyd been at uni together. OliviaLiv to her matesdated blokes left and right, none of them his type. Then, in their third year, they ended up at the same placement. Walking home together became routine. Liv was from some backwater village, though she insisted it was a *proper town*.
Summer emptied the dorms. Most students left for home, but Liv stayed. One evening, she invited him over. *”Made a proper stew. Too much for one.”*
George went, though his mates had warned him. *”Country girls trap city lads. Get knocked up, get a ring, get out of the sticks. Watch yourself, or youll blink and be married.”*
The stew *was* goodbetter than his mums. Then came the inevitable. At the last second, George hesitated, but Liv whispered, *”Its fineIm on the pill.”* Their fling lasted the whole placement. He didnt love her. What he felt was nothing like what hed had with Emily.
Term started. They barely spoke outside lectures. Then, a month later, Liv cornered him in the quad. *”Im pregnant.”*
*”You said you were on the pill.”*
*”Missed a couple. Never had a problem before.”* She bit her lip. *”Im scared to get ridwhat if I cant have kids after?”*
Pity won. And hed grown used to her. His parents took the news better than expected. Liv won his mum over by helping with Sunday roast, slipping in cooking tips like a pro.
*”Shes got a good head on her,”* his mum said later. *”At least I know you wont starve.”*
They married just before New Yearswhite dress, tiered cake, cheesy games. The lads ribbed him as they carried Liv over the footbridge.
*”Heave-ho, Georgie. Get used to itthis is your life now.”*
Liv wasnt some waif. Carrying her took effort, but George managed without embarrassing himself.
Thats when he knew*he was done for*.
At first, married life wasnt bad. His parents scraped together a deposit for a one-bed flat. Liv nested, the fridge always full. His mum raved about her whenever she visited.
Then the baby came. Liv took a gap year. His mum helped when she could, but retirement was years off. George switched to part-time studies and took a job at the placement firm.
Exhaustion became his default. Little Lily never slept. The second he walked in, Liv thrust the wailing baby into his arms. But when his mum visited, magic happenedLily quieted instantly, Liv napped, and dinner appeared.
*”Dont rush into another one,”* his mum murmured on her way out. *”Do your part, son.”*
After marriage and motherhood, Liv became religious about her pillschecking mid-sleep if shed taken one.
Lily grew. The flat shrank. Money vanished. George graduated but bounced between jobstoo little pay, too many dodgy schemes.
*”You wont get rich playing honest,”* Liv snapped when he quit yet another role. *”Others manage. Sort yourself out.”*
But he couldnt stomach it. He scraped by alone until Liv graduated and landed a PA gigmodest pay, but prospects. Still, two salaries never stretched far enough.
*”Cut back on the wardrobe,”* George grumbled.
*”Im front-office now. Image matters. Maybe if you earned properly”*
Liv worked late often. *”Meetings. Clients.”* Jealousy fueled nightly rows. Then, one evening, she said the words.
*”Whats the point anymore? You wont kick us out, and we cant split the flat.”*
*”Knew this was coming,”* George admitted. *”Found someone richer?”*
*”If youd listened sooner, we wouldnt be here.”*
*”You never loved me. I was your ticket out”*
*”Youve never lived in the sticks,”* she shot back. *”Try hauling water from a well in winter.”*
George smirked. So much for *town*.
*”Pack my things. Before I accidentally take yours.”*
She didneatly, in a suitcase and holdall. He didnt go to his parents. Rented a bedsit.
And just like that, he was aloneno family, no home, just child support.
The drinking started. Vodka became his lullaby. His neighbour, Dave, was happy to join.
*”Lucky bastard,”* Dave slurred. *”No missus pecking your head like a woodpecker.”*
Yet when Daves wife called, hed scamper home like a pup.
After another sacking, George knew*quit or sink*.
*”Got a spare?”* Dave asked once.
*”Gave it up. Mates got me a courier gig. Need to look sharp.”*
*”Right. Cheers for nothing.”*
That night, sober and sleepless, George stared at the darkening windows across the street.
The job was with Amazon. One delivery took him to a posh block. A girl answered*and his heart stopped*.
She looked *just like Emily*.
*”Do you assemble furniture?”* she asked.
*”Just deliveries. Need a hand?”* He *wanted* to help. Petite, delicate*like her*. *”I could swing by after my shift.”*
*”Really? Name your price.”*
*”Eight-ish work?”*
She haunted him all day. A delayed drop, a quick change at homehe arrived at hers near ten.
*”Sorry Im late.”*
*”No worries. Come in.”*
Two hours assembling a wardrobe. Her flat smelled of something delicioushis stomach growled. When he finished, she waved him to the kitchen.
Her name was Daisy. Not a student, she proudly said*employed proper*.
Job done, meal eatenno reason to stay. He refused payment. Lingered at the door, fussing with his trainers.
She waited. Finally, he zipped his jacketbut couldnt leave. Then, on impulse, he kissed her. Just a brush of lips. She didnt pull away. So he kissed her properly.
*”Sorry,”* he mumbled, bolting.
He floated downstairs, grinning all the way home.
Dave was at his door with a bottle. *”Whereve you been?”*
*”Gave it up. And Ive no snacks.”*
Dave left, sighing. George sat at the table, telling himself*forget Daisy. Shes not for you.*
Two days later, she called.
*”Its Daisy. From the wardrobe. I saved your number.”*
*”Yeah? Something broken?”*
*”No, I just Fancy dinner? I doubt you cook much.”*
He went. Studied her across the table.
