Rachel had never felt so relaxed in ages. Her business trip got pushed back a few hours, so without a word to anyone, she switched off her phone and stretched out on the bed. Earlier that morning, shed returned from her mother-in-laws cottage in the countryside, where shed spent two exhausting dayscleaning, cooking, washingall while enduring constant criticism from her husband, James, and his mum.
According to her mother-in-law, Rachel had “ruined” James by not earning enough, as if her salary alone was supposed to keep them all afloat. James just nodded along, adding that Rachel could easily take on extra work since she got home from the office “early” and barely had to lift a finger.
“Look how she mops the floors,” his mother tutted. “Takes her hours. She could be doing the laundry instead.”
Rachel finally snapped. “If you lot cleaned once a week, maybe it wouldnt take so long.” Big mistake. The lecture that followed was relentless. She shut her eyes, took a breath, and calmly suggested, “I did offer for you to move to London. James and I could look after you properly, and he wouldnt have to quit his job.”
James exploded. “So Im supposed to work myself to death and then come home to play nurse? Youve got a heart of stone, you have.”
Rachel didnt wait for round two. She walked out, slamming the door behind her, and slumped onto the bench outside.
“Rachel, love, whats happened?” Her neighbour, Emily, stood in front of her. It took Rachel a second to recognise her through the tears. Theyd met years ago, before the wedding, and Rachel had always liked her.
“Hi, Em,” she sighed.
“Family drama again?” Emily asked knowingly.
“Youve no idea.”
“None of my business, but I dont get why you put up with it. James is always there, yet youre not really together. Whats the point?”
Rachel shrugged. “We didnt choose this, Em. His mums poorly. Once shes better, he can move back to London.”
Emily snorted. “She could run a marathon if she put her mind to it. Bet shes milking it. You used to have a spark. What happened?”
Rachel didnt answer. Her phone buzzedher boss calling. Her trip was rescheduled for noon tomorrow. Relief flooded her. The extra pay would help, and better yet, shed escape the endless calls from James and his mum.
When she broke the news at home, the atmosphere lightened. That night, she and James slept in separate bedshe didnt want to “upset his mum.” Rachel didnt argue. She was too tired to care.
At 2 AM, her mother-in-laws voice cut through the dark. “Are you deaf? Ive been calling you!”
Rachel blinked, groggy. “Sorry, I was asleep. Whats wrong?”
“Fetch my pills.”
Rachel stared. The medicine cabinet was closer to James than to her. But she got up. By 5 AM, shed barely slept, and her alarm went off at half six. By the time she reached London, she was wrecked. Then came the texther trip was delayed again. She nearly cheered. Switching off her phone, she collapsed onto the hotel bed. For the first time in months, she felt human.
She even had time to freshen up before heading to Kings Cross. Didnt matter that her destination had changedshed gotten a proper rest.
An hour earlier, her expenses had cleared, but for once, she didnt transfer the money to James. Something had shifted. Shed already given him most of last months wages. This time, shed keep it.
Twenty minutes till her train. She ducked into a café for waterthen froze. James was at the flower stall. Her stomach dropped. Wasnt he supposed to be caring for his “sick” mother?
She watched, heart pounding, as he bought a bouquet. Maybe it wasnt for her. The thought twisted inside her. Nine minutes till departure. She squeezed her ticket and followed him outside, watching him hail a cab.
“Follow that car!” she blurted to the nearest driver. “Ill pay double!”
The mantoo well-dressed for a cabbieraised an eyebrow but agreed. Through the window, Rachel saw James embrace a woman, handing her the flowers before she climbed into another car. Her vision blurred.
The driver smirked. “Might not be what you think.”
Rachel finally looked at him properly. He had the air of someone who didnt belong behind a wheel.
The car turned into her buildings driveway. James and the woman disappeared inside. Rachels throat tightened.
“Going in?” the driver asked.
Rachel shook her head. “No point.”
“Missed your train anyway. Where you headed?”
She named a town 200 miles away.
“Rubbish. Lets get coffee. Calm down, then Ill drive you.”
“I cant afford”
“Who said anything about a fare? I was dropping my dad at the station. Sister lives up north. Then you jumped in.”
Rachel flushed. “Sorry.”
Half an hour later, they stood by the Thames, steaming coffees in hand. The sunset was breathtaking.
“Like it?” the manJackasked.
“Its beautiful. Lived here years and never knew this spot.”
“Found it after my wife cheated,” he admitted.
Rachel blinked. “Wait, you?”
Jack laughed. “Yeah. Thought the same thingwhod dare?”
Two days later, James called as Rachel packed for another trip.
“Rachel, whats this? Wheres the money?”
“Its for my expenses, James.”
“So youre not sending it?”
“No. And while were at it, get your stuff out of my flat. Its in my name, remember?”
Silence. Then a huff. “Youve lost it. How am I supposed to live?”
“Get a job. Like normal people.”
“And wholl look after Mum?”
“Funnyshe seemed well enough for you to buy flowers for someone else. On my dime.”
She hung up.
Jack had slipped into her life effortlessly. Goodnight texts, silly chats.
Then, on her next trip, James ambushed her outside.
“We need to talk.”
“No, we dont.”
He grabbed her wrist. “Youre not walking away.”
“Let go!”
Jack appeared like magic. James faltered.
“Whos this? Your bit on the side? Fine. Ill file for divorce!”
Rachel smiled. “Perfect. Saves me the hassle.”
James gaped.
As they drove off, Jack grinned. “Hes still standing there like a stunned mullet.”
“Ex-husband,” Rachel corrected. “Now explain why youre really here.”
Jack shrugged. “You said you were leaving today. Figured Id drive you.”
“Thats 200 miles!”
He braked, hopped out, and returned with a bouquet of white roses. “Forgot these. Planned it all along.”
Rachel stared, then laughed. It was better than shed ever dreamed.
