Laura couldnt remember the last time shed felt so rested. Her business trip had been delayed by a few hours, and without explaining a word, she switched off her phone and stretched out on the bed. Just that morning, shed returned from the countryside, where shed spent two days without a moments restcleaning, cooking, and enduring constant criticism from her mother-in-law and husband.
According to her mother-in-law, Laura had “ruined” her husband, didnt earn enough, and somehow, her wages were barely enough to keep the family from starving. Her husband, Simon, always backed his mother, insisting Laura could find extra work since she finished early and “barely had to cook anyway.”
“Look how she mops the floor,” her mother-in-law tutted at Simon. “Takes her ages when she could be doing the laundry.”
Laura snapped. “If either of you lifted a mop once a week, the floors wouldnt be this dirty.” She regretted it instantly. The backlash was immediate. Closing her eyes, she forced calm into her voice. “I offered to move you both to London. Simon couldve kept his job, and I couldve helped care for you.”
Simons temper flared. “So I should work myself to death and then come home to look after Mum? Youve got a heart of stone.”
Laura didnt wait for more. She walked out, slamming the door behind her, and slumped onto the bench by the gate.
“Laura, love, whats happened?” Her neighbor, Emma, stood in front of her. Laura blinked away tears before recognizing her. Theyd met before the wedding, and shed liked Emma instantly.
“Hi, Em,” Laura sighed.
“Family trouble again?” Emma asked.
“Youve no idea.”
“None of my business, but why do you put up with it? Simons always there, but youre not really living together. Whats the point?”
“We didnt choose this,” Laura said. “I cant abandon his mum when shes ill. Once shes better, Simon can move back to the city.”
Emma smirked. “Shed run a marathon if it meant bossing someone around. I reckon shes faking it. You used to be different. What happeneddid they wear you down?”
“I dont know. Just… drop by if you want.”
When her phone rang, Laura saw it was her boss. Her trip had been pushed to noon the next day. Relief washed over herextra pay, plus an escape from Simon and his mums endless calls.
That evening, the house felt lighter when she mentioned the trip. They even slept separatelySimon didnt want to upset his mother. Laura didnt argue. Exhausted, she fell asleep instantly.
At 2 a.m., her mother-in-law shook her awake. “Are you deaf? Ive been calling you!”
Laura blinked, groggy. “I was asleep. Whats wrong?”
“Get me my pills.”
Laura glanced at the distance between the sofa and the medicine cabinetfar shorter than the walk to her room. But she got up. She barely slept again and dragged herself to London the next morning, exhausted. When they delayed her trip, she nearly cheered. Switching off her phone, she collapsed onto the bed. Now, she felt refreshed.
She even had time to freshen up before heading to Kings Cross. She didnt care theyd changed her destinationshed slept, and that was enough.
An hour earlier, her travel allowance had cleared, but for the first time, she didnt send it to Simon. Shed already given most of her last paycheck. This time, shed keep it.
With twenty minutes until her train, Laura ducked into a café for water. Hurrying past a florist, she froze. Simon stood there, buying flowers. Her stomach droppedwasnt he supposed to be caring for his “sick” mother?
She watched, heart pounding, as he handed the bouquet to a woman and kissed her. Lauras vision blurred. A voice broke through.
“Maybe its not what you think.”
She turned. The man driving the car wasnt a taxi drivertoo well-dressed.
Shed never ridden in a car this luxurious. Maybe hed fallen on hard times. As she puzzled it over, they turned into her street. Simon and the woman disappeared into her building. Tears welled.
“So he brings her here while youre away?”
“Dont bother following,” Laura whispered.
“Too late for your train anyway. Where were you headed?”
She named a town two hundred miles away.
“Nonsense. Lets get coffee. Then Ill drive you.”
“I cant afford that.”
“Who said anything about a taxi? I just dropped my dad at the station. You jumped in.”
Laura flushed. “Sorry.”
Thirty minutes later, she stood by the Thames, coffee in hand, watching the sunset.
“Like it?” asked Jack, the driver.
“Its beautiful. Howve I never been here?”
“I come often. Found it after my wife cheated.”
Laura gaped. He laughed. “Yeah, I thought the samehow could anyone cheat on me?”
Two days later, Simon called as she packed for another trip.
“Laura, wheres the money? Theyve paid you, havent they?”
“They have, but its for expenses.”
“So youre not sending it?”
“No, Simon. Not this time. And by the way, get your things out of my flat. Its mineleft to me by my parents.”
Silence. Then, “Are you mad? How am I supposed to live?”
“Get a job, like everyone else.”
“And leave Mum alone?”
“Funnyyou left her alone long enough to buy another woman flowers with my money.”
She hung up. For the first time, she saw how naive shed been.
She and Jack had exchanged numbers, texting goodnights and little nothings.
On her next trip, Simon ambushed her outside.
“We need to talk.”
“No, Simon. Were done.”
“Youre wrong,” he growled, gripping her arm. “You wont walk away that easily. So I had a flingbig deal. Im a man with needs.”
“Do you really think I care?”
He yanked her closer. “Youre being ridiculous. Whod want you? Come home and apologize.”
Laura wrenched free, but he grabbed her again, tearing her sleeve.
“Let go! Youre hurting me!”
Suddenly, he was gone. Jack stood there, furious.
“Laura, you alright?”
Simon reappeared, sneering. “Oh, so youve got a boyfriend? Fine. Im filing for divorce!”
Laura straightened. “Perfect.”
Simon faltered. She smiled. “Thanks for offering. Ill sign whatever you send.”
As they drove off, Jack laughed. “Hes still standing there, mouth open.”
“Ex-husband,” Laura corrected. “Now explain why youre here.”
“You said you were leaving today. I came to drive you.”
“Thats two hundred miles!”
Jack shrugged, stopping abruptly. He popped the boot and returned with white roses. “Forgot these. This was the plan.”
Laura stared at him, then the flowers, and smiled. It was better than shed ever dreamed.
