**A Hasty Farewell: A Car Goodbye and the Return Home…**
He stepped out of the car and kissed his lover tenderly before driving home. When he arrived, he lingered outside the flat for a moment, steeling himself to confess everything to his wife. He climbed the stairs, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
“Hello,” called James. “You home, Eleanor?”
“I am,” came his wifes indifferent reply. “Hello. Should I start frying the steaks?”
James vowed to be directfirm and resolute, as a man should be! It was time to end his double life before his lovers kisses grew cold, before he was swallowed again by the monotony of routine.
“Eleanor,” James cleared his throat, “I need to tell youwe should separate.”
Eleanor took the news with eerie calm. She had always been unshakable, which was why James had affectionately nicknamed her “Frosty Eleanor.”
“Really?” she asked from the kitchen doorway. “So, you dont want the steaks, then?”
“Whatever you like,” James said. “Fry them or dont. Im leaving. Theres someone else.”
Most wives would have thrown something at their husband by now. But Eleanor was never like most.
“Right, you and your dramatics,” she said. “Did you pick up my boots from the cobblers?”
“No,” James faltered. “If its important, Ill go fetch them now!”
“Oh, James,” she sighed. “Send a fool on an errand, and youll get your old boots back.”
James bristled. This wasnt how he imagined the conversation going. Where was the emotion? But what else could he expect from a woman called Frosty Eleanor?
“Eleanor, are you even listening?” he snapped. “Im leaving. Im in love with another woman, and all you care about are boots!”
“Fine,” she said. “Unlike me, you can go wherever you like. Your boots arent at the shop. Youve got nothing holding you back.”
They had been married for years, yet James still couldnt tell if she was serious or sarcastic. Back then, hed fallen for her because of her quiet strength, her ability to avoid conflict, the way she never wasted words. And, of course, her domestic skills and beauty had sealed the deal.
Eleanor was steady, loyal, and coldlike an anchor. But now, James loved another. A forbidden, burning passion! It was time to lay his cards on the table and start anew.
“Eleanor, Im grateful for everything, but Im leaving. I love another womannot you.”
“What a shock,” she said dryly. “You dont love me. Big news. My mother fancied the neighbour, my father loved dominoes and whisky. Look how I turned out.”
Arguing with Eleanor was impossible. Every word landed like a hammer. His resolve waveredhe wouldnt be drawn into a fight.
“Youre brilliant, Eleanor,” James said, defeated. “But Im in lovewildly, recklessly. Im leaving, understand?”
“Someone else?” she asked. “Is it Emily Whittaker?”
James froze. A year ago, hed had a fling with Emily, but he never thought Eleanor knew!
“How did you?” he began, then stopped. “Doesnt matter. Its not her.”
Eleanor yawned.
“Then it must be Sophie Turner. Youd run off with her?”
A chill ran down Jamess spine. Hed had an affair with Sophie too, but that was over. If Eleanor knew, why hadnt she said anything? Because she was unbreakablenothing could make her crack.
“No, not Sophie or Emily. Its someone elsethe woman of my dreams. I cant live without her, and Im going. Dont try to stop me!”
“Then its Charlotte,” Eleanor muttered. “Honestly, James terrible secret-keeper. Your dream woman is Charlotte Reynolds. Thirty-five, one child, two miscarriages am I right?”
James clutched his head. She was spot onhe *was* seeing Charlotte Reynolds.
“How did you know?” he stammered. “Did someone tell you? Were you following me?”
“Simple, James,” she said. “Im a gynaecologist. Ive examined nearly every woman in this town, while you? Only a few. It didnt take much to catch you out.”
James straightened.
“Suppose youre right! Even if its Charlotte, nothing changes. Im going.”
“Youre an idiot, James,” Eleanor said. “You couldve at least asked me first. Honestly, theres nothing special about Charlottesame as the others, medically speaking. Have you seen your muses records?”
“N-no” James admitted.
“Right. Go shower. Tomorrow, Ill ring Dr. Harrishell see you at the clinic without delay,” she said. “Then well talk. Its not normala doctors husband picking an unhealthy mistress!”
“What should I do?” James asked, helpless.
“Ill fry the steaks,” Eleanor said. “You go shower and do what you like. If you want a flawless woman, no complications, come to me. I know a few.”
