**Diary Entry**
I stared into the bin by the kitchen table, my expression hardening. And whose dress is this? I muttered. Youre not seriously suggesting *I* put it there?
The same unanswered question gnawed at me daily: what on earth had I ever seen in Mark?
Average in every wayId been too embarrassed to introduce him to my friends, so as far as they knew, I was still single. Only my sister knew we lived together, and shed kept it quiet.
Mark hadnt achieved muchjust a mechanic at the local factory. Some nights, slumped in front of the telly, Id catch myself thinking, *Its time to end this.* Then hed bring home flowers or some cheap trinket, and Id postpone the inevitable again.
Before me, hed been married. Two months, just long enough for a pregnancy and a daughter. By the time we met, the girl was twelve. Id never laid eyes on hernever wanted to.
Then my birthday plans with the girls were upended.
Emma, Mark began hesitantly, my ex has a business trip. Shes asking if I can take Lily for a bit.
How long? I wrinkled my nose. The last thing I wanted was some brat crashing my celebration.
A month.
A *month*? My brows shot up. Tell me shes at least sending money?
Nothing so far, he admitted, shrugging helplessly.
You *pay* child support, I snapped. So she pockets that while we feed her kid? Brilliant.
You know what I earn, he said weakly.
And how, exactly, do you picture this? My irritation flared. School runs, babysittingwhy is this *your* problem?
Im her *father*, he said, baffled. Youd rather I turn her away?
You dont live alone. *One*. *Two*this is *my* flat. You shouldve asked. *Three*its my birthday, and I wont have it ruined!
Mark looked wounded. Shes not a problem.
She *will* be, I retorted, arms crossed.
He insisted I was overreacting.
The next day, a chubby girl with garish makeuplooking nearer sixteenslouched in our doorway. She glared at me, then demanded of Mark, Where do I sleep?
Kitchen sofa bed, he offered apologetically.
She rolled her eyes and fled to the loo in tears.
*Charming*, I hissed. Rude little madam. Good thing Im celebrating at the café. Youre staying here.
What? I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends. Its been six months
Youre on daddy duty, I said, relieved to dodge the humiliation. My friends boyfriends were gym-toned and polished.
Mark fell silent.
The next morning, I bustled about prepping for the evening, ironing my dress and hanging it up. Mark hadnt even wished me happy birthday. Fine. Id pretend it didnt matter.
After work, I dashed home to changeonly to find the dress gone.
Where *is* it? I stormed into the kitchen, where Lily lounged on the camp bed, ignoring me, glued to her phone.
*Hello?* I snatched it from her.
Give it *back*! she shrieked as Mark rushed in.
Whats going on? Hand it over! he ordered.
My *dress*, I snarled.
I didnt *take* anything, Lily sneered. She just hates me!
Admit it! I hurled the phone down. The screen shattered. Lily wailed. I strode out, smug, scrambling for another outfit.
At the café, I drowned my frustration in wine and resolved: Mark had to go.
I stumbled home at dawn. He met me in the hall. Do you know what time it is?
Playing strict husband? Too late. Youre out in the morning.
So *Im* the villain? I laughed coldly.
You broke Lilys phone
She *stole* my dress!
She didnt! Marks voice was steel. I *know* she didnt.
I waved him off, done with excuses.
Wine. I needed wine. I yanked an open bottle from the cupboard, took a swigand spat. *Shampoo?* Did I pour this too? I laughed bitterly, then froze. The bin. There it was. *The dress!* Youll claim I binned this as well?
You *wanted* an excuse to leave! Mark shouted. I heard you plotting with your sister!
I stiffened.
I bugged the flat. I *know* what youve said.
A slow smirk curled my lips. Ah. So *thats* how you always knew when Id had enough. Cheers for that.
This time, he didnt beg me to stay. We both knew it was over.
