Mash, Just Stay Home! Must I Really Drag You Everywhere Just Because We’re Married? — grumbled Alex,…

Friday.
Meg, stay home, will you? Must I really drag you everywhere with me just because were married? muttered Alex while smoothing his hair in front of the hallway mirror.
I didnt even hear himmy mind was already busy ticking off everything I needed for the weekend at Lizs cottage. As always, I went about my preparations with utter seriousness: food bags packed, a change of clothes ready, checklist in hand. Still, nothing felt quite as usual today.
I nearly walked into Alex in the hall. He cut an odd figure in his crisp white summer shirt; I frowned, puzzled.
All dressed up, are you? Just so you know, Im not scrubbing any barbecue stains out of that shirt, I said, then pointed at two hefty bags by the door. Take these out to the car, please. Theyre ready. I just need to change and we can go.
Alex eyed the bags with some dismay before reluctantly taking hold of them.
And what, pray tell, is all this?
Were going to the cottage, Alex. You know full well Liz cant cook her way out of a paper bag. Ive packed salad, new potatoes, a chicken pie If Rob wants his wifes culinary disasters, let him have them, but I wont be calling for an ambulance later. Sorry to remind you.
His frown deepened.
Meg, just stay in this evening. Cook yourself something light, or better yet, go for a jog round the parksitting all days giving you love handles. Ill pop over to Robs for a few minutes and come straight back.
I stared at him, not quite believing what Id heard.
Youre going alone?
Alex clicked his tongue. Didnt want to mention, but youve been so wrapped up in work we hardly speak these days. He steadied himself as if preparing to break a world-changing secret. Rob and Liz have split. Hes got himself someone new. I wasnt keen on going but Rob asked me to help with the barbecue. Apparently, only I can turn sausages without burning them.
With that, he flashed a self-satisfied grin and moved the bags out of his way.
I felt floored. Liz and I were as close as sisters, though Id barely seen her in weeksever since my tenants trashed the old London flat and disappeared without a word. Between my job, home life, and sorting whether to sell the place, Id let things slip. Not in a million years would I have thought Liz and Robs perfect marriage would unravel so suddenly.
So, whatyou dont want me there because therell be some new Barbie strutting about? I shot back, more hurt than Id care to admit.
Alex tried to dampen my suspicions. Hardly, Meg. Just another ordinary woman, I suppose. Look, you and Liz can have a good natter about her soon enough. I promise.
It niggled at me all the more. Maybe it was loyalty to Liz, or maybe just curiosity, but whatever the reason, I insisted on going. Eventually, Alex gave in with all the grace of a sulky schoolboy.
**
Half the drive passed in silence, barring the odd curse at traffic or bad drivers. I spent most of it texting my estate agent about the flat.
Hows it going? Alex eventually sneered, half-watching me from the drivers seat.
Oh, the flat, right. Nothing concrete. One lot want to rent immediately; another want me to refurnish the place. As you very well know, its hardly a show home.
The moneys there if we need it for repairs, he replied.
Id rather spend it by the sea. Couldnt we?
Alex gave a theatrical sigh. Repairs or a holidayyou decide. Anyway, you know I cant just take time off!
I explained the whole situation: Lizs neighbour had asked if her newly-married daughter could rent my flat. I felt ready to say yes, but Alex baulked at the idea.
Letting it out is a waste of time, Meg! Lets do it up and sell. Ill sort the rest.
Our flat? I asked.
Alex nodded. Were family. All for one, right?
When we finally arrived, Rob was already waiting at the gatecheerful, wearing a tight shirt and distressed jeans that showed off a spreading beer belly. Liz would never have allowed it, I mused with a twitch of amusement.
About time, you two! he called, pulling me into a bear hug.
I smiled, explaining about the food in the boot, but he waved me off. Forget the food, Meg! Weve got loadsmy girlfriends ordered everything in from the restaurant. He led me into the garden, and the bags were abandoned, forgotten.
There was a raucous air in the garden gazebo. At the far table sat Robs new flame, a petite platinum blonde in a poolside tunic, laughing with her equally glamorous friend. As I approached, my doubts resolved: Rob hadnt just traded up for youth, but for the whole Love Island effectlip fillers, lash extensions, and talon nails. By comparison, I felt distinctly average and not a little out of place.
Alex took himself off to charm the other women, leaving me to awkwardly take a seat.
Rob made introductions with a smirk. Right, girls, this is Meg, Alexs better half. Works from homebasically, shes unemployed. He laughed much too loudly and, not for the last time, I felt the sting.
Angelas my queen, Rob preened.
Neither he nor anyone else bothered to introduce Alex.
Angela piped up. Im a beauty therapist, actually. Can get you a discount if you want.
I felt myself redden.
Liz, I thought, would have been amazed to see Rob being spoon-fed pizza on plastic plates by his queen.
The women invited me to join them by the pool, but I shook my head. I wouldnt have come if Id known you were all here, I blurted, heat rising in my cheeks.
Angela looked genuinely blank.
Rob bristled. No need for that, Meg.
Isnt there? She basically just insulted my looks, I shot back, and Dashas already eyeing up my husband for a free trim!
I stalked off to find Alex, now busy grilling meat but still sneakily checking out the two friends.
Take me home. Now, I demanded.
Alex tried to protest, but Id had enough. It was lovely with Liz around. This is appalling!
Rob, catching on, suggested Alex take me home.
On the way out, Alex exploded.
I cant even have a night out without your endless sulking!
Seriously? You dont mind enjoying yourself, but the moment I want to live a little, its a catastrophe!
Fine! Go with your friends. Go to your mums. Just let me have a peaceful evening!
His words stung, especially with laughter from the pool drifting over.
You just want bimbos now. When did you meet these two?
Alex didnt even try to deny it. Yes, I met up with Angela and Dasha for coffee last week. So what?
Right. Dont bother coming home, I said, and flung the dregs of a marinade onto his spotless shirt.
I stormed out to the village bus stop, still fuming. I finally rang Lizshe answered in tears.
Dont call me, Meg! I dont want to hear from you or Alex. Your husband introduced Rob to that bottle-blonde floozy. Thats why my marriage is over!
I was genuinely shocked. Liz poured her heart out, explaining how Alexs work connection led Rob into Angelas arms. She and I patched things up, but I couldnt shake the knot in my stomach: What had Alex got himself into?
**
I called a taxi and headed for Mums little cottage on the outskirts of Surrey, where the boys were staying for the summer.
Mum, the wonderfully practical Jean, was surprised to see me.
Whats happened, Meg? Everything alright at home?
I just need a break. I cant just sit waiting for Alexs work schedule to dictate our lives.
But Meg, Mum reasoned, youre his wife. You cant just go off without him.
I can, Mum. He goes off without me. Why not?
We tucked into tea, and I filled her in.
He wants excitement, apparently. Drags some woman to a bloody café and leaves me at homeno holiday, no anything for the boys.
Mum sympathised, but cautioned me to be careful for the kids sake.
When my boys ran in, faces flushed from fresh country air, I hugged them tighter than ever.
Where are we off, Mum?
Home, then to Auntie Louise by the seaside, I smiled, already feeling lighter.
That wretched afternoon at Robs had given me plenty to think about. Was it just the inevitable middle-years crisis? We barely talked, barring finances, bills, the children. Hed started treating me like I was part of the furnitureconsulted on nothing, just expected to fall in line.
Today proved it: Hed lied over nothing. Tomorrow, would he nick my flat too?
That evening, out of sheer spite, I messaged my neighbour. The next morning, the flat was let and payment was in my account.
**
Alex took himself off to his mothers for a quiet sulk. For three days, he grumbled about that ruined barbecue while trying to scrub marinade from his ruined shirt.
Meanwhile, I ignored every call.
When we returned from the seaside, happy and bronzed, Alex was waitingthunderous face, empty fridge, echoing kitchen.
He pounced.
Do you have anything to say for yourself?
About what? I asked, icy calm.
He let rip.
Our savings were meant for refurbishing our flat, not blowing on a week at Brighton!
My flat, Alex. You only put in five grand; I put the other fifty. So
He tried not to yell, but failed.
You cant just make these decisions! What about the flat?
Ive let it, I replied. To the neighbours daughter and her husband. Thats that.
Alex paled. For once, he looked genuinely tired.
You should have sold it. I need that money for repairs!
And I need a holiday. Were not joined at the hip, Alex. You told me that yourself, remember?
Now it was my turn to quote him back to himself.
He threatened divorce, partnership splits, the full drama.
I stared him down. Yes, by all means. But my flat stays with me till the divorce, then well see.
You cant just up and leave, Meg!
Funny, you have no trouble swanning off with your friends. Youll be fine, Alex. Have Dasha serve you dinner!
I filed the divorce papers within the week.
**
The rest was simple.
The boys returned to Mums. I stopped cooking for Alex, cut the shopping, settled for salads and healthy stuffjust as hed snidely advised. He resorted to takeaways and ended up sleeping on the balcony. When the weather turned, off he went back to his mums, suitcases rattling.
Once or twice he rang Dasha, hoping for a bit of glamour. She brushed him off. One night was plenty, Alex.
I suppose he was hoping for a different response, but I think the truth isand I know it now, scribbling these pages on a late Fridayneither of us wanted to carry on pretending. That old, comfortable assumption of us forever had vanished. Im not Liz; I wont beg. Maybe Alex will realise, once the house is empty, that you cant keep someone by locking the door.
Or, like me, maybe hell find he doesnt actually miss what he lost.
The end.