Many years ago, Emily returned home earlier than expected, laden with gifts from her parents. She had hoped to surprise her husband, but instead of a warm welcome, William sent her straight off to the shops. The consequences were, to say the least, unexpected.
The heavy bag pulled at her shoulder until she couldn’t help but cry out. Her lower back, which had become a constant source of bother these past two months, ached fiercely. Carefully, Emily set the bags down on the cracked pavement by the bus stop.
She exhaled deeply, feeling her unborn child shift with displeasure inside her. Six months alongit was no small thing. Especially when you decide to surprise your husband and travel back home three days ahead of schedule. She had missed him so dearly that during the last few miles on the coach, she found herself counting every lamppost.
I wonder what William is doing now, she thought. He surely had no idea she was so nearjust ten minutes walk from their front door. The path home felt endless. The bags were bulging with her parents gifts: jars of jam, homemade pies, heavy Bramley apples. They weighed as though filled with stone.
After dragging herself about fifty yards, Emily realised she couldnt go any further. Her back simply wouldnt take it.
Pulling out her phone, she dialled William.
Hello, William love, she whispered when he finally answered.
Emily? Whats happened? His voice was tinged with panic.
Nothings wrong. Im here! Im at the bus stop by our place. Please, can you come meet me? The bags are impossibleMums packed me half the pantry.
There was a strange pause down the line. Emily checked her phone to be sure the call was still connected.
Youre at the bus stop? Right now? Why didnt you warn me? Werent you coming Thursday?
I wanted to surprise you, Emily frowned. Arent you pleased? Im shattered. Please just come down.
Wait! William almost shouted. Dont come here. I mean, do, but Emily, listen, weve nothing in the house. I finished everything off yesterday. Do me a favourjust pop into the all-night shop round the corner and pick up some decent beef. I took the day off work; I want to cook a proper lunch and welcome you home right.
What beef, William? Emily blinked, confused. Did you hear me? Im six months pregnant, stood here with two massive bags!
My back is killing me! What beef? Theres potato at home, eggs too. Meet me, will you? Im starving and I need to lie down.
No, Emily, you dont understand! he rushed on, talking over her. I just want it all to be perfect, love. The shops right there, wont take you a tick. Get a nice bit of beef, some fresh potatoesours are looking dreadful. Ask someone for help if you need or do it in little trips please! Im getting everything at home ready.
Staring at her aching red hands, Emily felt a hot, sour wave rise within her.
Are you serious? her voice trembled. You want me, in this state, to waddle into the shop and buy meat because you want to cook lunch? Cant you come downstairs yourself?
Ive just started uh getting things ready! If I leave now, itll ruin the surprise. Please, Emily, just for me? Eight hundred grams of good beef, and a small bag of potatoes. Come on, Im waiting!
He hung up. Emily stared at her darkened screen, stunned. Tears threatened to fall there and then, under the cold glow of the streetlight. Instead of hugs and a warm bed, she was heading to the supermarkets meat aisle. Maybe, she thought, he really has something incredible planned. Sighing, she heaved her bags and hobbled towards the shop.
Pushing a trolley up and down the narrow aisles, Emily caught the sleepy cashier’s pitying gaze.
The beef was hefty; the bag of potatoes was nearly unliftable. By the time she made it out, her arms felt limp, her fingers numb and useless.
Her phone buzzed again.
Did you get it? William sounded cheerful.
I did, she said through gritted teeth. Im at the door. Open up.
Wait! Dont come up! Sit on the benchjust ten minutes.
Are you joking? Emily let her voice ring out, not caring about the odd passersby. William, ten minutes? My legs are swollen, I can hardly stand!
The surprise isnt ready! he insisted. If you come up now, its all ruined. Just rest a bit, five minutes, love, I promise! Gotta dashwont finish otherwise!
She dropped onto the wooden bench by their flat entrance, the bags toppling noisily beside her. She felt like throwing the wretched meat through their third-floor window.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Emily sat, all her thoughts swirling restlessly. She imagined walking in to whata sea of flowers? Candlelit breakfast? A violinist in the corner? None of it seemed worth making her, in her condition, sit outside after a long journey.
At thirty-five minutes, the main door creaked and William bounded outshirt inside-out, forehead sweaty, hair all over the place.
Oh, youre here! he smiled stiffly, grabbing the bags. Why the glum face? Look at this weather well, right. Come on, lets get inside!
Why are you drenched? And why can I smell bleach on you from a mile away? Emily squinted, hauling herself up with effort.
Youll see! William grinned, prancing towards the lift.
They made their way up. At the flat, William flung open the door and waited, expectant. Emily walked in and was hit by a sharp stench of disinfectant and cheap air freshener called something like Sea Breeze.
She walked through to the lounge. Then to the kitchen. Peered into the bathroom. The flat sparkled. But it was oddly bare. Things normally scattered across chairs were gone. The carpet had firm, damp lines from the hoover, dust had been wiped and her ornaments clustered sadly in a corner.
Well? William beamed. What dyou think? Surprise!
Emily turned to him slowly. Is is this all? she asked softly.
What do you mean, all? William looked wounded. Emily, look! Ive been at it for three hours! Mopped every floor, even under the sofa! Dishes done, loo sparkling. I wanted you to come home to a spotless flatno chores, nothing. I was running about like a man possessed while you were at the shop.
Emily felt a painful lump in her throat.
So this for the sake of washing the floor, you made me drag myself to the shop?
You didnt meet me at the bus stop, even though I askedbecause you were cleaning?
Well yes! William threw his hands in the air. I was trying to do something nice! Youre always complaining I never help. I wanted to show you I can. You came home early, I couldnt get everything done! I had to keep you out so I could finish. Now youre standing here, making me feel like a monster!
Are you even listening? Emily finally snapped. I couldnt care less about your floors! My back hurts, the bags were too much. Im carrying our child, William! All I wanted was for you to take my hand and walk me homenot for you to be waving a mop!
William flushed red, tossing his rag into the sink.
Oh, here we go! he yelled. Impossible to please! Ive been up since five, crawling around, trying to do something nice, plan a surprise, and all you do is shout! Have you seen how clean it is? Cleaner than our wedding day!
Why would I want it clean at this price? Emily choked with hurt. You made me sit on a bench for half an hour! I was freezing, feet throbbing! You had me buy beef and heavy potatoes when I could barely walk! William, its not a surpriseits cruel.
Oh, its cruel, is it? He stomped about the kitchen, gesticulating wildly. Sorry Im not perfect! Other women would be thrilled: husbands cleaned, wants to cook. But youits always my back, my legs, my state. Maybe Im tired! I was up half the night thinking how to make you happy!
Emily hid her face in her hands.
You dont get it she sobbed. You dont understand. You chose a clean skirting board over my wellbeing.
And whats that got to do with anything! he shouted. You came home early! If youd turned up as planned, Id have finished, and youd walk into a lovely flat. But no, you had to come sooner and make me the villain! Youre just ungrateful, Emily. Utterly ungrateful.
He stormed out, slamming the bedroom door.
The baby kicked again inside her. Emily sank onto a chair, staring at the bag of beef William hadnt even bothered to put away. Nausea washed over her.
Ten minutes later, William stuck his head around the door.
Shall I cook then? Or will you go hungry just to spite me?
No need to cook anything, William, Emily whispered, not looking round. Just leave me alone. I need some rest.
Oh, suit yourself! he slammed the door again.
Shakily, Emily made her way to the bathroom. The mirror showed a wan woman with dark circles and tangled hair.
She remembered the rattle of the coach, picturing William embracing her, saying, Thank God youre home. Instead, wellshe had been welcomed, hadnt she. When Emily finished and came out, the argument started up once moreanother row about some triviality.
In the end, she left as she wasgood thing she hadnt unpacked. She went straight back to her parents.
Everyone tried to talk her out of divorcehis parents, her sister-in-law, even distant relatives. William phoned her constantly, pleading with her to come home and promising hed changed. But Emilys mind was made up: she no longer wanted to be married to a man who valued gleaming floors more than the mother of his childs health.
What good is a house gleaming with polish, when theres no love to make it a home?
