Who would ever want you? Toothless, childless, and common Claire.
Who would ever want you? shouted Peter. Then he spat on the floor and walked out.
She rushed to the window and watched as the man shed lived with for fifteen years walked away. She used to believe they were completely in sync. But as he left, he gave her the truth: hed only stayed for convenience.
The Experience of Family Photoshoots
Claire had a lovely flat, made great meals, kept the place spotless, and was willing to do anything for him.
She thought about opening the window and shouting after him not to leave her.
She was so desperate that she was willing to accept him living with hereven if he spent days away with that other woman. Anything seemed preferable to being alone and abandoned at forty-five. Her hand reached for the window latch. But her gaze suddenly fell upon her fathers portrait: proud and dignified in military uniform, chin lifted.
Suddenly, Claire changed her mind. Shame flooded hershame for her weakness.
She glanced out again at her handsome and well-dressed husband, climbing into a nice car with his bags.
She wandered into the kitchen, passing down the corridor. There stood a full-length art deco mirrora relic from her grandmother.
It reflected a broad, weary woman with greying hair and dull eyes.
Claire had never considered herself beautiful. Her health was faltering, her teeth crumbling, and there was never enough money for new dentures. Peter needed a new car and expensive suits for work.
What nonsense! Your Peter dresses like a movie star, and youre stuck with a stretched jumper, prehistoric skirt, a couple of blouses, worn-out pumps and house shoes instead of boots. Your old coat couldnt tempt even my granny. He expects restaurant-quality mealssteak one day, steamed cutlets the next, then pancakes, then roast. Why dont you tell him to get lost? You shouldnt bend over backwards for a man, mate! her colleague Lucy often advised.
Claire listened but did as she pleased. And then Peter announced he was leavingfor a 27-year-old girl with four children.
Shes young, Claire sighed.
But her friend Lucy did some digging, snooping on social media, asking the neighbours. She eventually reported:
Shes not even worth mentioning! And he called you common? You come from a good family; shes the bottom of the barrel. Never held a job. Every child is from a different bloke. She was still boozing at eight months pregnant, and her mothers no better. The youth thing is all just talk. They say men like that, for the easy company and whatever else, but a family wont last on that. Im astonished at your Peter. Keep your chin up!
Claire did keep going. Shed inherited a fine, spacious flat in the heart of town.
Her dad, sensing trouble perhaps, had set it up so Peter never had any right to live in her home. Claire decided to rent out a roomfor a bit of financial relief.
A few new developments had sprung up nearby, and an engineer soon moved in. Trim little beard, friendly, quite refined. His name was Malcolm Fitzroy. He looked at Claire with a thoughtful gaze, then suddenly declared,
Let me pay a couple months up front! Go sort your teeth out. Such a lovely lass, shouldnt live in pain!
Claire blushed. Shed never considered herself attractive, but she did long to fix her teeth.
He paid her extra, insisting she could return what she didnt use. A week later, Malcolms brother came rounda sight to behold.
He arrived in a bright canary blazer, purple trousers, and with a wild hairstyle.
He introduced himself as Cyril. Worked as a stylist.
He came to visit his brotherand promptly took Claire under his wing. Whenever she served her tenants homemade pies, Cyril offered suggestions for a style overhaul.
And he truly transformed her. Her highlighted hair shone, makeup revealed pretty features, and her teeth were finally fixed. She now walked to work every day, shed her excess weight, and started jogging in the park mornings.
She became a warm woman with a gentle smile and dimples. Like a butterfly emerging from a plain chrysalis.
One afternoon, the doorbell rang. One of her tenants went to answer and shouted:
Claire, its for you!
Standing awkwardly at the doorstep was her ex-husband. She barely recognised him. Peter had aged years in just onedrawn, pale, lost. The old spark was gone. His bags sat at his feet.
What do you want? Claire asked.
She remembered how, at first, shed tried to call him, desperate to talk. But he blanked her, even blocked her number.
And now, hed come crawling back.
You look amazing! Peter exclaimed.
But the flattery did nothing for Claire. She remembered the sleepless nights, the thoughts of ending it all, the endless tears, the panic.
Oh Claire, Ive been through hell. That womans been bleeding me dry. Her kids seemed normal at first, but unruly, screaming all the time. She doesnt care about raising them. Just glued to her phone, never cooksserves up cheap frozen meals. Once she made instant noodlesjust noodles! For me! Washed all my shirts together and ruined them. I havent bought myself a single thing, spent everything on them. Its like living in a madhouse. Claire I came back. Im so much happier with you. I always think of you. Lets start fresh, eh? Please?
In her head, she heard his old words echoing:
Who would ever want you? Toothless, childless, common Claire.
Claire looked at her ex once more. At that moment, Malcolm appeared in the hallway, worried:
Claire! Do you need any help? And you, sir, whats your business?
Peter puffed up and demanded,
And who are you, then?
Hes my husband, Malcolm. Dont come here again! Claire said, and closed the door right in Peters stunned face.
She apologised to her tenant for calling Malcolm her husband. But he just smiled and said,
I think the times come for proper explanations! I adore you, Claire! How could anyone leave such a wonderful woman? Will you marry mefor real?
He was a widower. And so Claire did. Two months later, she became his wife. He showers her with roses, and theyve bought a cottage together.
Sometimes her ex lurks round the corner, watching them. He curses himself, wishing he hadnt given into temptation and traded a good woman for an empty promise.
He ended up alone with nothing.
But Claire and Malcolm stroll hand-in-hand down the streethappy and in love. And shes expecting a baby.
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