**A Late Farewell: A Goodbye on the Way Home**
After kissing his mistress tenderly, Phillip Carter got into his car and drove home. He paused for a moment outside the flat, taking a deep breath, rehearsing the words hed say to his wife in his head. He climbed the stairs and unlocked the door.
“Hello,” said Phillip. “Eleanor, are you home?”
“I am,” his wife replied, flatly. “Hello. Right then, shall I fry the chops?”
Phillip had promised himself he would be firm, directno beating about the bush! It was time to end this double life while he still felt the warmth of his mistresss lips, before routine swallowed him again.
“Eleanor,” Phillip cleared his throat, steadying his voice. “I need to tell you we must separate.”
The news was met with unsettling calm. Eleanor wasnt one for outbursts. Once, hed even called her “Eleanor the Ice Queen” for it.
“What do you mean?” she asked, standing still in the kitchen doorway. “Shant I fry the chops?”
“Thats up to you,” Phillip said. “If you want to, do. If not, dont. Im leaving. For another woman.”
Most wives would react with furyperhaps a frying pan hurled at their husbands head. But Eleanor wasnt most.
“Oh, what a tragedy,” she murmured. “Did you fetch my boots from the cobblers?”
“No,” Phillip admitted, surprised. “If its so important, Ill go now!”
“Look here” Eleanor grumbled. “Thats just like you, Phillip. Send a fool on an errand, and he brings back rubbish.”
Phillip was offended. The drama hed imagined was crumbling. Where were the tears, the shouting, the righteous fury? But what else could he expect from a woman as cold-blooded as Eleanor the Ice Queen?
“I dont think youre hearing me, Eleanor!” he said, raising his voice. “Im telling you Im leaving you for another woman, and youre going on about boots!”
“Precisely,” Eleanor replied. “Unlike me, you can go wherever you like. Your boots arent at the cobblers. Whats stopping you?”
Theyd lived together for years, yet Phillip could never tell when Eleanor was serious or mocking. Early on, it was that very composure, that quietness, that had drawn him in. Not to mention her striking beauty and no-nonsense manner.
Eleanor was solid, loyal, and unshakable as granite. But now Phillip loved another. He loved with passion, sin, and sweetness! It was time to cut ties and start anew.
“And so, Eleanor,” Phillip declared with solemnity, and a touch of regret. “Im grateful for everything, but Im leaving because I love another. I dont love you anymore.”
“Remarkable,” Eleanor said, not raising her voice. “Doesnt love me, poor thing. My mother adored the neighbour, my father loved dominoes and brandy. And look what a fine woman I turned out to be.”
Arguing with Eleanor was useless. Her every word carried weight. His initial fervour dimmedhe no longer had the stomach for conflict.
“Eleanor, you truly are remarkable,” Phillip said bitterly. “But I love another. Passionately, sinfully. And Im leaving, understand?”
“Who is she?” his wife asked. “Not Margaret Thompson, surely?”
Phillip stepped back. A year ago, hed had a secret fling with Margaretbut he never imagined Eleanor knew her!
“How do you know about her?” he began but stopped himself. “Never mind. No, Eleanor, its not her.”
Eleanor yawned.
“Then it must be Sarah Whitaker. You went after her next?”
A chill ran down Phillips spine. Sarah had been another mistress, but that was in the past. If Eleanor knew, why had she never said anything? Of courseshe was a fortress, revealing nothing.
“Wrong again,” Phillip insisted. “Not her, not Margaret. Someone elsewonderful, the love of my life. I cant live without her, and Im going. And dont try to stop me!”
“Then it must be Lucy,” Eleanor concluded. “Oh, Phillip you silly man. Your great secret. The love of your lifeLucy Fairfax, thirty-five, one child, two miscarriages. Am I right?”
Phillip clutched his head. Shed hit the mark! His affair was indeed with Lucy.
“But how?” he stammered. “Who told you? Have you been spying on me?”
“Elementary, Phillip,” Eleanor replied. “You know Ive been a gynaecologist for years. Ive examined half the women in this city, while youve only known a select few. One glance is all I need to see where youve been, you fool.”
Phillip took a deep breath, trying to salvage dignity.
“Suppose youre right!” he declared, haughty. “Even if it is Lucy, nothing changes. Im leaving.”
“You really are daft, Phillip,” Eleanor sighed. “You couldve just asked. Honestly, theres nothing special about hershes just like the others. And I say that as a doctor. Have you seen your beloveds medical history?”
“N-no,” he admitted.
“Well then. First, straight into the shower. Second, Ill ring Dr. Harper tomorrowno waiting. Then well talk. What a disgracea gynaecologists husband chasing after an unhealthy woman!”
“So what do I do?” Phillip whined.
“Ill fry the chops,” said Eleanor, turning away. “You go wash and do as you please. If you want a healthy woman, let me knowIll recommend someone.”
