Weve been together under one roof for forty years, and at sixty-three you suddenly decide to change your life?
Margaret sat in her favourite armchair, staring out of the window, trying to distract herself from the days events. Only a few hours earlier, shed been bustling about, preparing dinner and awaiting Johns return from fishing. He did come home, but not with the usual catchinstead, he arrived with news hed long meant to share but never quite plucked up the courage.
I want a divorce, and Id appreciate your understanding, John blurted out abruptly, avoiding her gaze. The girls are grown, the grandchildren couldnt care less, and we can end this simply, without a scene.
Forty years sharing the same roof, and at sixty-three you suddenly want to start afresh? Margaret struggled to comprehend. I deserve to knowwhat happens next?
Youll keep the flat in Manchester, Ill move to the cottage in the Lake District, John replied, clearly having mapped it all out in advance. Weve nothing left to split, and eventually, the property will go to our daughters.
Whats her name? Margaret asked with quiet resignation.
John flushed beetroot red, began stuffing things into a bag, and pretended not to have heard. His shifty behaviour left Margaret in no doubt there was a rival. In her youth, shed never imagined shed end up alone in her later years, her husband off with another woman.
Maybe itll settle down and all will be well, her daughters, Victoria and Lucy, comforted her later. Dont let Dads behaviour get to you.
Nothing will be all right, Margaret sighed. But theres no point in changing anything now. Ill see out my days, and Ill take joy in your happiness.
Victoria and Lucy travelled to the cottage for an important chat with their father. They returned home looking thoroughly crestfallen, but they were in no rush to share the details with their mother. Instead, they shifted their tone, trying to convince Margaret that living alone might even suit herno one else to fuss over. Margaret got the hint, but didnt probe, determined to simply muddle through. It wasnt easy, with family and neighbours constantly poking their noses in.
Can you imagine, all those years together, and at the autumn of your lives your husband scarpers off with another? remarked the less tactful neighbour ladies. Is she younger than you, or did he pick someone with deeper pockets?
Margaret never knew how to respond, but her mind wandered ever more often to her mysterious rival and she desperately wanted to see her. She even ventured to Johns cottage under the pretext of retrieving her homemade jam from last summer. She didn’t warn him, making sure to catch the homewreckerand did she ever.
John, you didnt say your ex-wife would be dropping in, complained the flamboyant woman, sporting makeup so bright it could be seen from across the fells. I thought everything was sorted, and she has no business here.
You seriously left me for this? Margaret inquired, eyeing the brazen interloper up and down.
Arent you going to do something about this woman insulting me? screeched the lady. And for the record, Im only a few years younger than you, but I look miles better!
If she really believes that in our age, a splashy appearance is the be-all and end-all Margaret managed, catching her embarrassed ex-husbands glance.
All the way to the bus stop, Margaret heard the shrill squawks of this ageing Barbie and tried not to cry. Only at home did she let herself feel, picking up the phone to invite her sister over.
Oh, come on now, Nina said, brewing mint tea. You said yourself Johns new wife isnt much to look atand frankly, doesnt seem very bright either.
Maybe shes right, and I just look ancient for my years, Margaret fretted.
You look lovely for your age, Nina replied honestly. I just think its a howling error to dress in leopard leggings or a mini-skirt approaching seventy. A woman can be beautiful at any age if she knows how to present herself and dresses appropriately.
Margaret examined herself in the mirror and grudgingly admitted Nina had a point. She was in decent nick, with few complaints about her health. She dressed well, and her daughters regularly gifted her cosmetics. She wasnt a loudmouth and never fancied resembling a parrot, so couldnt imagine behaving as her rival did.
Well, there you are then, Nina continued. Now youre a free woman, time to live it up! The girls are independent; theres a world of possibilities and plenty of cultural fun at our age. I wont let you mope.
Nina kept her promise, carting Margaret off to the theatre, on walks and to concerts. Soon, they had a circle of like-minded friendsall fellow seniors. There was even a gentleman keen on showing Margaret some attention, but she nipped that in the bud and declined his invitations.
Heard youre running about at the theatre and making new friendsmight you tie the knot again? John couldnt resist commenting after a chance encounter at Tesco.
What are you doing way over here? Surely there are shops closer to your cottage. Or is your new wife not much of a cook? Margaret asked.
Ive always shopped here, set in my ways you know. Changing habits is tricky at our age, John grumbled.
Margaret didnt pursue it, claiming she was busy and heading home. In truth, John suddenly wanted desperately to chase after her and confess how much he regretted their split. Hed truly always been rooted in their home and family, but got caught up by vivacious Sandra and swept into the whirl of drama.
Life with Sandra seemed lively at first, but soon it became clear she didnt care for household chores, preferred gossip and flirting about the village, and spent her time at noisy gatherings.
John increasingly wished he could return home, and after seeing Margaret, that feeling grew stronger. She never made a scene, staged a row or held a grudgeshe simply faced circumstances with quiet dignity. He never imagined hed miss precisely that calm and warmth, available only with Margaret.
You bought dried apricots again when I asked for prunes, Sandra seethed, rummaging through the groceries. And the cheese is the wrong fat content, and you entirely forgot the mayonnaise.
Its just, Margaret used to do the shopping, or we did together, and now you want it all on me, John snapped.
Sick of you comparing me to your ex-wife! Sandra shrieked. And dont even say you regret leaving her for me.
Truth is, John did regret itbut saw no sense in voicing it. Margaret hadnt schemed or plottedshe simply remained herself, while John desperately wished to earn her forgiveness.
But he knew too well that Margaret would never trust him or take him back. Many times he reached for the phone, and after another row, even dared to come to the door of what used to be their flat.
Do you need to pick up anything? Margaret asked, not letting him past the threshold.
Id like to talk, do you have a moment? John mumbled, smelling his favourite plum pie wafting from the flat.
Ive got neither the time, nor the inclination, she answered briskly. So grab what you needIm expecting guests.
There was nothing John needed to fetch, nothing he could say, either. He trudged back to the cottage and resolved to cook his own supper, as Sandra was off making merry in the village yet again. When she finally returned, tipsy and full of cheer, John confirmed his decision and gave her notice to pack her things.
After Sandras dramatic exit, he nearly called Margaret to spill, but thought better of it and calmed down. He knew his ex-wife too well to believe in the possibility of forgiveness or a clean slate.
Maybe, someday, hed come to her with an apology, just for closureotherwise, hed never find peace. He did hope for forgiveness, not for reconciliation, but simply to mend things. Margaret could never pardon betrayal, and hed known that when he started the affair with Sandra.
Now, he lived a solitary existence at the cottage, while Margaret enjoyed city life in Manchester: outings with her daughters and grandchildren, theatre tripsthe whole lot. The ex-husband simply no longer fit into her world.
Eliminates pests and removes papillomas better than any medicine.
