*Everything’s going to be different now. I promise…*
The workday was nearly over. The shop had about twenty minutes until closing, and at this hour, customers were rare. It wasn’t a corner shop where you could grab a pint of milk and dash—no, buying electronics took thought. It was serious money, after all.
Marianne scanned the empty floor of the appliance store. Not a soul in sight—even the assistants had vanished into the stockroom. Only the security guard remained at the entrance, glued to his laptop screen. She’d bet her last quid he was playing solitaire or scrolling through the news.
She headed for the back room herself, planning to call her husband, David, and ask him to peel the potatoes so she wouldn’t be stuck cooking all evening. Using personal phones on the shop floor was strictly forbidden—management could check the CCTV at any moment and hand out warnings like parking tickets.
Just then, a man walked in, making a beeline for the tablet display. Still no assistants in sight. The guard shuffled from his booth but stayed near the entrance, keeping an eye on the visitor—he wasn’t allowed to abandon his post. Marianne sighed and approached the man.
*How can I help you?* she asked brightly.
He turned quickly. *I need a tablet. This one.* He jabbed a finger at the display model.
Marianne forgot how to breathe. It was like seeing a ghost—because it *was* a ghost. Him. The one who got away. She couldn’t be mistaken. But *how*? After all this time?
When she didn’t answer, he turned fully, studying her face. *Marianne? Marianne! Is that really you?*
*It’s me. What are you doing here? We close in—* she checked her watch—*fifteen minutes.*
*Too late to buy?* His eyes flicked over the deserted shop. *Shame.*
*We stay open till the last customer leaves. I’d recommend this model instead. Slightly pricier, but much better quality.* Professional mode: activated.
*Alright. I’ll trust your expertise,* Robert agreed.
Marianne bent to retrieve an unopened box from under the display. *Come with me, we’ll get it sorted.*
At the till, her fingers trembled. She hit the wrong keys, fumbled the sale. His gaze made it worse. *Head to the till—I’ll fetch the cashier.* She hurried to the stockroom, desperate to escape his sight.
The team were huddled around a table, deep in debate. *Someone cover the till, will you?* she said. *Sale’s ready to go.*
They scattered. One lad rushed out front. Marianne glanced at the clock—her shift was officially over. She hadn’t called David. Hadn’t even *thought* about him. Her hands shook. *Why now?* She’d hoped never to see Robert again.
She changed quickly and slipped out the staff entrance where deliveries came in.
The pavement glistened under streetlights, rain still drizzling. Marianne decided to walk home—just three stops away, and she needed the air to clear her head.
—
She’d fallen for Robert the moment she saw him in uni. Knew he was a final-year student, that he was Robert Fitzpatrick, that half the girls swooned over him. Didn’t matter. Her heart still raced whenever he walked past.
Once, in the canteen, she ended up next to him. Too flustered to think, she mindlessly piled food onto her tray.
*You got cash? Hey—you listening?*
*What?* She snapped back to reality.
*Cash. Card reader’s broken. Cover me, I’ll pay you back.*
She nodded, scrambled in her bag.
As she moved away from the till, he called her over. Free seats were scarce, so she stiffly approached his table. He wolfed down mashed potatoes and chicken nuggets while she stared at her untouched food.
*Not hungry?* He smirked. *First year?*
*Yeah.* She dared to glance up.
*Weird name, Marianne.*
*Named after my gran,* she muttered.
He finished, drained his orange squash. She hadn’t taken a bite.
*Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back. Same time tomorrow? We’ll eat together.* He grinned and left.
She finally exhaled. Did that just happen?
Next day, she barely sat through lectures, clock-watching. At the canteen, he wasn’t there. *Of course not. Why would he wait?* She grabbed a salad and a muffin, resigned—then he appeared at the till and paid.
*Cheers,* she mumbled. He carried her tray to a table.
*Aren’t you eating?* she ventured.
*Already did. Got out early.*
His eyes lingered.
*Listen—mate’s throwing a party tonight. His parents are away. Fancy it?*
She told him her address.
*Perfect. I’ll pick you up at seven.*
He was waiting on the corner. The flat was packed—strangers everywhere. Marianne hovered awkwardly. Robert danced with girls, disappeared, reappeared. Finally fed up, she went for her coat.
*Leaving? I’ll walk you.*
Outside, the wine loosened her tongue. He talked, asked questions—she barely registered any of it. Then he kissed her, and her knees nearly gave out. She didn’t study. Didn’t sleep. Just relived it all.
They started dating. Marianne floated on cloud nine, ignoring friends who warned her about Robert’s reputation, her mum’s disapproval. *Who cared?* Robert Fitzpatrick loved *her*! She nearly failed her summer exams—scraped through with two Cs, lost her bursary.
*Mum, I love him. He’s perfect. We’re getting married!*
*Bit young, aren’t you? Already flunking—next you’ll drop out!*
Then Robert vanished. Stopped calling. Marianne got his address from the registry office. His mum answered.
*Robert’s not here. Gone to his dad’s.*
*Gone? He didn’t say—When’s he back?*
*Doubt he will. His dad’s got a business in Manchester. Better opportunities.*
*Can I have his number?*
*Love, if he didn’t give it to you, he didn’t want you calling. Get the hint.* The door shut.
Marianne walked home in a daze. *How could he?* No goodbye, nothing. All those promises—for *this*?
Three days of tears. Mum called a doctor. Pills were prescribed, chucked in the bin. Life didn’t seem worth living—until she forced herself up and carried on, numb.
It took ages to recover. Then she met David in a clothes shop, searching for a New Year’s Eve dress. He asked her to pick something for his sister, later invited her to the sister’s birthday. They spent New Year’s together.
*Give David a chance,* her mum urged, relieved her daughter had moved on.
Marianne didn’t care. When David proposed in fourth year, she said yes.
He knew she didn’t love him but hoped she’d grow to. When their son was born, she poured everything into the baby. David? Barely noticed. Naturally, he strayed—thought jealousy might spark something. It didn’t.
When he confessed to an affair, she didn’t flinch. Let him go—except he *didn’t* go. They stayed. Their son grew up, nearly finished school.
—
Marianne thought she’d forgotten Robert. This chance meeting knocked her sideways, dredged up old feelings. Logic fought heart—and won. She wouldn’t let him ruin her life again. Likely she’d never see him after this.
At home, David was frying potatoes.
*Finally. Hungry? Won’t be long.*
She washed up. The table was set—even a bottle of white wine.
*What’s the occasion?*
*No reason. Fancied treating you.*
After dinner, they sat by the telly.
*Why didn’t you leave me back then?*
He knew exactly what she meant.
*Because I love you. You’ve never loved me—not a single kind word. Maybe I was daft to stay. Was there ever anything there?*
She didn’t answer. Yesterday, she’d have lied. Today? They say love senses things. Had David picked up on it?
*I’m tired. Early shift tomorrow.*
The next day, Robert returned—must’ve checked her rota. Rain poured outside. In a café, he explained his sudden departure, his divorce, why he was back. Compliments, apologies.
*I felt like a coward. Meant to write, explain—then life happened. Married… Guess I wasn’t ready. Thought it was for the best. But seeing you… You? Married?*
*Yes. Son’s finishing school.*
*Marianne—do you still love me? You’re not indifferent. Your hands shook yesterday.She chose David—not because she had to, but because, in the end, love wasn’t about grand gestures or old flames, but about the quiet, steady warmth of someone who had always been there.
