Mum let us in on a little secret shed bought herself a flat.
The flat was conveniently close to town. She made us promise not to let slip the address to anyone, just in case there was an accidental drop-in particularly from my wifes parents, who were notorious for their love of a tipple.
At first, I couldnt quite decide whether to be annoyed or pleased about the whole business. Nobody asked for my opinion, mind you. Like a pair of burglars, we tiptoed out early one morning to shift our belongings into the new place, all hush-hush. I had to hunt down a job nearby, and my wife began acclimatising to our new way of living. We were both unnervingly twitchy inside. What if her parents managed to track us down again and started popping round for unexpected visits?
I ended up taking a job as a lift operator. The very next day, my colleague and I were called to heroically rescue a lady trapped in a lift, wedged between two floors.
We pried open the doors and pulled her out. She was beside herself with gratitude; clearly rattled by the ordeal. I mumbled all sorts of reassuring nonsense, trying to calm her down. She really wasnt like the others. I felt an odd pull didnt want to leave her company.
From that moment, I reckoned I finally understood love at first sight. I insisted on escorting her home, holding her gently as she was still wobbly after her ordeal. Tears sparkled in her eyes and she was shaking like a leaf. I desperately wanted to murmur soothing words and give her a comforting squeeze. She disappeared inside, shutting the door behind her.
Later that evening, while tucking my daughter into bed and my wife was off having a shower, I sat there, replaying the days events with a mixture of melancholy and flutters. I couldnt get the woman out of my head. I just couldnt help myself she was lovely, sweet, and beautifully fragile.
The following day, after my shift, I popped round to her building again. I fibbed to her neighbour, claiming I was a distant relative from her hometown. In just ten minutes, I learned that her husband was a heavy drinker and a top-tier layabout. Plus, they had two children.
This news made me oddly delighted. It meant I could head home to my wife and my daughter, my conscience squeaky clean. I realised I didnt need anyone elses mess or anyone elses kids I only needed to live my own life, with my own family.
And honestly, I felt thoroughly relieved.
