Youre in deep, mate
Jack wasnt in a hurry to go home after work. His rented flat hardly counted as a homejust a temporary stopgap. He took the long way round, driving through the city as rain lashed against the windscreen and wind tore leaves from the trees. A single yellow one stuck to the wiper on the passenger side. That was itthe warm, easy days of summer were gone. His dad used to say, “Such as the lasses, such as the summer.”
His dad. No saint, fond of a pint or three. Mum would scold, but Jack loved it when his father came home tipsy. Hed turn soft, slipping Jack a few quid. The next day after school, Jack would dash to the shops to chase his dreambuying a pocketknife like Steves or a bottle of Coke with crisps.
Those were the days. Everything seemed simple and bright back then, with parents ready to shield him, explain things, give advice. And there, in that distant past, was a girl named Emma. Delicate, with fair hair and clear blue eyes. A strong gust mightve carried her away, so he always held her hand.
But their bond never grew into something solid. He kissed her just oncebriefly, lips brushing hers. All he wanted was to walk far, far away, hand in hand with Emma.
Her father was in the military. Shed joined their school in Year 7, but by the start of Year 10, her dad got reassigned, and the family moved to Manchester.
How many times had he wanted to call or text her? But what then? They werent coming back, and hed likely never set foot in Manchester. Why stir up hope? She mustve thought the sameshe never reached out either.
Yet his mind clung to her image. Every girl he met after had to remind him of Emma, but none matched the memoryor the fantasyhe couldnt tell anymore.
His wife was nothing like Emma. Or rather, she chose him. Theyd been in the same uni group. Olivia dated other lads, and she wasnt his type. But after their third year, they interned at the same firm. They often walked home together. Olivia came from some village, though she insisted it was a “town.”
In summer, the dorms emptied. Most students left for home placements, but Olivia stayed. One evening, she invited Jack over. “Made a proper roast,” she said. “No one to share it with.”
Bored, he went. His mates warned himcountry girls were desperate to snag a city bloke, marry him, stay put. “Watch yourself, or onell trap you before you know it.”
The roast was brilliant, even better than his mums. Then came the inevitablethey ended up in bed. At the last second, Jack hesitated, but Olivia assured him she was on the pill. They carried on all summer. He didnt love her; his attraction was purely physical, nothing like what hed felt for Emma.
Term started, and they only saw each other in lectures. A month later, she cornered him between buildings. “Im pregnant.”
“You said you were on the pill.”
“Forgot a few times. Never had issues before, but with you Im scared to abortwhat if I cant have kids after?”
He pitied her. And hed grown used to her during the internship. He told his parents, introduced Olivia. She helped set the table, slipping his mum a few cooking tips, winning her over.
“Such a homemaker. At least I know my son wont starve.”
They married before New Yearswhite dress, cake, silly games. Who invented the tradition of carrying brides over bridges? His mates ribbed him: “Pick up the pace, Jack. Get used to marching like this for life.”
Olivia was sturdy, not delicate. He sweated but didnt embarrass himself.
Thats when he knewhe was trapped. But married life started alright. His parents scraped together a deposit for a one-bed flat. Olivia nested, kept the fridge stocked. His mum praised her whenever she visited.
Then the baby came. Olivia took a leave. His mum helped evenings when she could. Jack switched to part-time studies and got a job at the firm where hed interned.
He dragged himself to work exhausted. Lily was fussy, kept them up nights. The moment he got home, Olivia shoved the screaming baby into his arms. But when his mum visited, magic happenedLily quieted instantly, Olivia rested, and his mum cooked while cooing over the baby.
Leaving, shed whisper, “Hold off on a second one. Do your part, son.”
After marrying and giving birth, Olivia suddenly took her pills religiously, even waking at night to check. Too late now.
As Lily grew, the flat cramped them. Money was tight. Jack got his degree but bounced between jobslow pay or shady deals.
“Honest work doesnt pay. Others managelearn from them,” Olivia nagged whenever he quit.
But he wouldnt compromise. He slogged alone while Olivia finished her degree. She landed a job as a directors assistantmodest pay but prospects. Still, two salaries werent enough.
“Cut back on your outfits,” he grumbled.
“Appearances matter when youre front-facing. You couldve aimed higher.”
Olivia worked late oftenmeetings, partners. Jack seethed. Rare was a day without rows. Then she said, “Whats the point anymore? You wont kick us out, but we cant split the flat.”
“Saw this coming. Took you long enough,” Jack said. “Found someone richer?”
“If youd listened, we wouldnt be here.”
“You never loved me. I was your ticket to the city.”
“Youve never lived rurallyfetching water, chopping wood”
Jack smirked. Finally admitted she was from a village.
“Pack my things. I might take extra otherwise.”
She did, neatly. He didnt go to his parentsrented a place instead. Alone now, no family, no flat, just child support. He drank, couldnt sleep without whiskey. His neighbor often joined.
“Lucky youno wife nagging. Drink all you want,” the neighbor said, though hed sprint home when his missus called.
After losing another job, Jack knew he had to quit drinking or hit rock bottom.
“Got a drink?” The neighbor sighed when Jack poured his stash down the sink. “Mate, seriously?”
“Sorry, dry now. Buddy offered me workneed to clean up.”
“Right. Cheers anyway.”
That night, sleepless, he stared as lights blinked out in distant windows.
His mate got him a courier gig at Amazon. One delivery was a wardrobe. The door opened, and Jack frozethe girl looked like Emma.
“Do you assemble furniture?” she asked.
“Just delivery. Need help?” He ached to assist herpetite, fragile. “I can swing by after work.”
“Really? Ill pay whatever.”
“Eight-ish work?”
He couldnt stop thinking about her. Late with deliveries, he dashed home to change. By the time he arrived, it was nearly ten.
“Sorry Im late.”
“No worries, come in.”
Two hours assembling the wardrobe. The kitchen smelled heavenlyhis stomach growled. He hadnt eaten properly all day. When done, she invited him in. His own meals were coffee, toast, or eggs.
Her name was Daisy. He guessed student, but she proudly said she worked. Wardrobe done, dinner eatenno reason to stay. He refused payment but lingered at the door, reluctant to leave the cosy flat, to leave her.
She waited. Finally, he zipped his jacketthen, impulsively, kissed her. Just a press of lips before pulling back. She didnt flinch. So he kissed her properly.
“Sorry,” he muttered, fleeing.
He practically floated downstairs, grinning all the way home.
His neighbor appeared with a bottle. “Took your time.”
“Sorry, quit drinking. No snacks either.”
The neighbor left sighing. Jack sat at the table, scolding himself. Daisy was out of his leagueno point dreaming.
Two days later, she called. “Its Daisy. You assembled my wardrobe. I kept your number.”
“Right. Whats up? Wardrobe collapsed?”
“No, nothing like that. Just Fancy coming over? Ive got” She hesitated.
“Something broken? Ill drop by after work.”
But when he arrived, she admitted nothing needed fixing. She just wanted to cook for him.
Jack studied her. “Daisy, Im not for you. Divorced, paying child support, no flatleft it to my ex. A month ago, I was a drunk. Youre young, lovelyyoull find someone better. I should go.”
He left heavy-hearted. All he wanted was to stay, walk hand in hand with her, no destination. But he couldnt ruin her life.
At home, he craved a drink, but shops were shut.
