Louises Husbands Mistress
Louise sat in her car, staring at the glowing sat-nav. The blue pulse showed shed arrived at the right locationa narrow street in a sprawled London suburb. All she had to do now was gather her courage and go through with her plan, which felt like holding her breath forever. Drawing in a trembling lungful of air, she exited the car, the door clicking shut with a hollow dream-echo, and paced fifty steps to a tiny coffee shop with a crooked sign that read The Brewed Heaven. What a name, she thoughtHeaven, as if. She hesitated at the door, her resolve threatening to evaporate. She could just turn around, drive as far as her petrol would last, vanish into some borderless English nowhere But no, thats not why she came.
She yanked the handle; the bell chimed in uncanny slow-motion as she stepped inside. In a moment, she would see HERthe mistress, the saboteur of her domestic calm. What did Louise really know about this girl? Not much. Her husband called her Bunnybut that was, of course, his pet name, not her real one. She worked here as a waitress. Louise found a table by the misty window and settled in, waiting for the charade to unfold.
Therethe waitress. It was definitely her, looking almost two-dimensional, as she glided over in a blur. Louise recognised her from a half-glimpsed photo. Everything in the room turned muffled, underwater. The seconds stretched sideways.
Good morning! chirped the waitress, and Louise darted her eyes to the name badge: Emily. So she was Emily. Not much imagination, she thoughtBunny for Emily. Meanwhile, Emily, innocent in her apron, politely offered a menu with a smile that wobbled at the edges. Have a look whenever youre ready. Just give me a shout. Louise flashed her most dazzling smile and watched the girl, scrutinising her with fevered focus, as if for some minuscule flaws under a microscope. How had it come to thissitting face-to-face with her husbands other woman? That, as ever, was a winding story.
Louise and James had been married for a decadeor she thought shed been happy. They had a daughter, Alice, eight. James doted on Alice. New dolls appeared for every occasion; if Louise raised an eyebrowWhy the twentieth doll?James would only shrug, helpless. Alice was besotted with her fatherat times more so than with Louise herselfand while this sometimes stung, as a therapist, Louise knew a fathers love was crucial for a girls future. She believed in talking over problems with James, so big rows were rare. They were averagemortgage on a modest flat, a tired Ford Focus, a shed-sized cottage in Dorset catching cobwebs.
Then, with the quiet violence of a thunderclap, a mistress.
Louise discovered it by accident. Only days ago, James was in the shower when his phone buzzed on the sideboard. Thatll be Dadanswer for me, will you? He said hed ring tonight! he shouted through the door. Louise had never picked up for her husband beforeit felt almost illicit. She checked the screen, only to see not Dad, but Bunnycomplete with a photo. There was James, grinning, arm round a young stranger. The world turned waxy and unreal. Should she answer? But then the call rang off.
She was stepping away, as if the very device might strike, when a message popped up: Jamie, Im on two-on/two-off next week starting Monday. Pop by The Brewed Heaven after my shift. Ill treat you to a special coffee. Miss you, love you…followed by a parade of cheerful emojis.
Louise recoiled as if burned. No room for doubtBunny cuddled close with her husband, calling him Jamie. How long, she wondered, had this been going on? Was it a casual dalliance? Or something deeper? Either answer was a blow. She needed space to think.
When James emerged, towelling his hair, he asked if shed spoken to Dad. Didnt make it in time, Louise replied, and pleaded a headache before announcing shed go to Boots for something. She didnt go. Instead, she sat slumped on a bench in the local green, the world sharpened and blurred at once. She scoured the memory of their life together, but no cracks came to mindjust a silent, spreading stain. She wasnt the sort to ignore betrayal, to carry on with the boat sinking beneath her and pretend all was well.
Still, drama wasnt her style. Louise was for calm, tabled discussions and sensible decisions, however wrenching. Her first instinct was to confront James, but that meant confessing shed read his messages. No, shed need a different tack.
Then she remembered: she knew the name of the café, the workdays, even the womans face. She could go. See Bunny herself. Maybe even speak to her.
The next days felt as if she were sleeplesshaunted by jittery dreams, but never truly resting. She feigned normality; Alice and James exchanged worried glances. Just stressed from workdifficult client, supervision coming up, Louise lied. At night, Alice hugged her gently, unsure how to help; James watched her with undisguised suspicion.
Eventually, her resolve hardened. Enough pretending. Shed go to the café. She needed to see her rivalor shed never know peace.
***
A latte and something sweet. What do you recommend? Louise ordered, her voice flat as a page in a forgotten book.
Our honey sponge is lovely, Emily suggested.
Fine, Ill have that.
When the mistress brought them over, Louise could barely taste her coffee. The honey cake was forgettable. The place was almost emptybarely 11 a.m. Shed deliberately chosen the lull, hoping for a chance to speak to Emily. It came ten minutes later, as Emily drifted by.
You barely touched your dessert. Didnt fancy it? I can fetch you something else, Emily ventured gently.
Oh, its not the cake. I just havent any appetite. Too much on my mind.
Sorry, Ill leave you be.
No, Emily, youre not disturbing me. Louise paused, words slipping past logic. Im just trying to decide what to do next. Finish my cake? Or file for divorce? What would you choose? She gazed at Emily as if they were co-stars in a strange play.
Emily looked worried. Most likely, she found Louise only half-sane.
Ive never had to make that choice…
But if you did? Suppose you found your husband was unfaithful?
Emily said nothing; silence churned between them.
How long have you worked here? Louise pressed on, voice more curious than accusatory.
Nearly a year, Emily answered, her tone cautious.
Are you a student, then?
Yes. At the University of the Arts. Im on a creative course.
Thats interesting. You must have a vivid imagination, then?
Im not sure I follow, Emily said, warily.
Wellfor example, could you put yourself in the role of a deceived wife? Or a mistress? Feel what they feel?
Emily grew restless. Louise, too tired for this absurd script, abruptly stopped. It was pointlessshed seen Emily. Now what? Was she meant to claw the girls hair or douse her in cooling latte? Would that help? Of course not. Suppressing an exhausted sigh, she murmured, Could I have the bill, please?
When Emily returned, the strange customer was gone. Only a tenner and some coins remained, more than enough with a generous tip folded under the plate. Emily looked out the window, exhaling a sigh that fogged the glassmelancholy for reasons she didnt understand.
***
In that café, Louise made her decision. Shed go ahead with their tenth wedding anniversary celebration as plannedwhy ruin Alices day? The girl had drawn posters for the occasion. Afterwards, shed talk to James and face the storm.
And so, in their favourite family bistro, as disco lights spun in Louisianian sadness over rain-slicked pavements, Louise, James, and Alice gathered for dinner: ten years together, which, Louise thought, ought to be called a glass weddingfragile, transparent, about to shatter. She smiled only so as not to dampen Alices delight.
As the meal drew to a close, James winked at Alice. What sort of party is it without cake, eh? Alice giggled, raising her hand. I want the biggest slice!
James nodded to someone, and the cake appeared. Louise glanced upher dream froze. Carrying the cake was Emily, Bunny in the flesh, mistress, waitress, phantomcall her what you will, unmistakeably real. She stood by the table as James smiled tenderly at her, then turned to Louise. Happy anniversary, darling! This cakes for you.
A costumed performer beckoned Alice over for a game, and Alice scampered away.
Louise sat, numb. James, seemingly delighted, tried to bridge the silence. Turns out you already know Emily, he said, with forced nonchalance. Emily nodded politely.
Our love can face anything, he continued grandly. Thank you for being my wife. He reached to kiss her, but Louise shrank back.
Whats all this meant to be? Her voice fractured like ice.
It was a joke. Well, a sort of prank. Maybe not the funniest, butthe idea was James hesitated.
A prank? she repeated, incredulous.
Yes. I contacted a companyStir Up Events. They do bespoke celebrations, write scripts, hire actors. Our scenariomy affair. You handled it so well, Louise! So much poise. Im really proud. How lucky am I! He tried to hug her, but she evaded him again.
So youre telling meyou havent got a mistress?
No, said James, beaming.
And Emilys an actress?
Im in training, Emily said meekly. And temp here and with the agency, too. You were brilliant, Louise. Way more dignified than most wivessome dump coffee on me, others call me names. You just talked quietly, and even left a tip.
Louise could only stare, aghast. James, do you really think this is funny? Appropriate? Acceptable? Why would you do this, especially before our anniversary?
Emily tried to slip away, but Louise stilled her with a look. For the first time, James saw Louise truly lose her temper, always composednow ablaze with outrage.
Do you have any idea what you put me through? What possessed you, coming up with something like this right now?
James tried to explain: Louise, youre always so measured, sosteady. I thought, maybe, a little excitementsome sparkle. Yes, it was idiotic. Im sorry.
Louise could barely restrain herself. Emily made a graceful retreat as Louise, sudden and wild, seized the cake, pressed it into Jamess face. Theres your sparkleand your filling. All in one!
James tried to swipe the frosting from his cheeks and eyelids, but only succeeded in streaking it.
Are you completely mad? he spluttered.
No, darling, Louise trilled sweetly. Just spicing up our marriage, like you wanted! With that, she rose and glided out.
What on earths got into you? I never actually cheated, for heavens sake! James hollered after her, but Louise paused at the door, turned, and with exquisite composure, replied, It would have been better if you had.
She found Alice, took her hand, and together they stepped out to the lamp-lit street. The evening air was brisk, almost cleansingand Louise began to laugh, a brittle, windy mirth.
Mum, whats funny? Why are you laughing? Alice asked, grave-eyed.
Oh, nothing, darling. Just remembered a funny old story.
Will you tell me?
Of course. But first, we need a serious chat. Do you understand, sweetheart, we might need to live separately from Daddy for a while…
Away from Daddy? Forever? Alices voice trembled.
I dont know yet, Louise said quietly. Well see, love. Are you with me? Alice nodded, silent but loyal.
And they wandered together on through the violet evening, down the street that stretched on and on, perhaps forever.
