We parted ways a month ago. Have you really forgotten?
“Dave, did you forget that today’s your last day staying in my house?” Emma asked him.
“What do you mean? Already?”
“Yes, why does that surprise you? We agreed you’d sort out your place by the 26th of May, and until then, you could stay here.”
“Time seems to have flown by…”
The fact was, Dave and Emma got divorced last month. However, her ex-husband had nowhere to go. He just couldn’t find a suitable place. Or perhaps he wasn’t even trying? That’s another matter entirely.
“Stop beating around the bush. Tomorrow, you’re moving out!”
“But where to?”
“I don’t know. That’s not my problem anymore.”
Dave jumped up from the chair.
“How can that be, Emma? We’re a family.”
“Us? There’s no ‘us’ anymore. We got divorced a month ago. Have you forgotten?”
“I’m saying, time flies too fast.”
“Again… don’t try to bamboozle me.”
In reality, Dave truly had nowhere to go. He had lost touch with friends over the years. And some turned out not to be the nicest people.
His family lives out of town, and it’s not exactly feasible to crash at acquaintances’ places. So, what to do now? His only hope was to persuade Emma.
While the train station was an option for a temporary stay, there was another reason her ex-husband was reluctant to leave the flat.
“You know, I really hoped till the last moment.”
“For what?”
“That we might be together again.”
Emma laughed out loud, and it clearly upset Dave.
“Did I say something funny?”
“Isn’t it funny to you?”
“Not to me.”
“Well, it is to me. Listen, stop clowning around and acting childish. We’re adults.”
“Exactly! That’s why I want an adult conversation. Emma, you must understand, we divorced over silly things.”
His ex-wife raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“You think constantly lying to someone is trivial?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“I got your point!”
“No, really! We acted rashly, it happens. Emma, we could start anew. Please!”
Emma was taken aback. She couldn’t understand if her ex-husband had lost his mind or if he truly had nowhere to go.
“I said enough with the nonsense. Pack up your things. Tomorrow, you’re leaving.”
But Dave was persistent. He continued with new arguments, one more absurd than the last!
“Don’t you get it? I’ve been loyal to you!”
“What are you getting at?”
“That since our divorce, I haven’t been with anyone else.”
Emma just shook her head. Dave seemed to be losing his mind.
“What does that have to do with me? Honestly, I’m not interested in who you’re with!”
“But it matters to me. I can’t be with anyone else but you, Emma. And right now, not even with you… Because…”
Emma interrupted him.
“Enough, just stop.”
She gathered her things and decided to take a walk, just to avoid seeing Dave.
In reality, she had been planning the divorce for a while. But she kept delaying because she felt bad. They had lived together for five years, and it was hard to make such a big decision.
However, her husband’s constant lies never gave her peace. He always lied about work, claiming promotions and prestigious roles that never existed. In reality, he remained a regular manager with a salary of £20,000 a year. That was the last straw in their relationship.
Why lie about it? It was incomprehensible!
Emma pondered this all evening. She dreaded going home, so she decided to crash at a friend’s place. Of course, Dave bombarded her phone with calls, but she was not going to answer or explain herself to him.
“Emma, I don’t get it. Why are you acting like some kind of saint?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Dave. It’s your fault. No wonder he doesn’t want to leave.”
“Yeah, I know I was foolish. But I can’t just throw him out on the streets.”
“But you’re kicking him out tomorrow, right?”
“I will. I keep my word.”
“Any regrets?”
“No, nothing to regret. After all, I’m not throwing out a child but a grown man who can sort out his own life.”
The next day, Emma returned home and saw no sign of her ex-husband’s luggage by the door.
“You’re still here?”
“Emma! Where have you been?” exclaimed Dave.
“That’s none of your business anymore.”
“Did you stay over with a guy?”
“Once more: it’s none of your business! Pack up and get out!”
Dave nearly circled Emma.
“Emma, listen, I really can’t handle this. I was worried about you!”
“Enough! Get out, I said.”
But Dave seemed oblivious to her words, or he pretended not to hear her.
“I’ve been faithful to you, can’t you see?”
Emma realized this conversation was pointless and led nowhere.
“You have five minutes. Or I’m calling the police.”
Dave didn’t believe her, so Emma had to do what she promised. Her ex-husband was quickly escorted out with his things, as he had no legal claim to the flat.
Emma was fortunate that she inherited this property. It’s scary to think what would have happened if the flat belonged to both of them.
In that case, Dave would probably never leave. After all, he always had a solid excuse: he was the loyal ex-husband.
