Maybe we could go to the cinema this weekend? Eleanor asks, settling beside James on the sofa. Lately theyve barely spent time together, and she wants to bring back the closeness they once had.
Im sorry, Im tied up, James replies without looking up from his phone. I promised Mum Id help with the roof. Winters coming and its leaking again. Ill be stuck there all weekend. He scrolls through social media, ignoring her.
Eleanor nods, hiding her disappointment. A pang of dread flits through her, but she pushes it aside.
On Friday evening she walks James to his mothers house. She notices his outfit new trousers and the expensive shirt she gave him for his birthday, still pristine.
Youre about to climb onto a roof in that? she says, eyeing the shirt. Dont you think itll get muddy, ruined?
It Ill change in the shed, James mutters, snatching his car keys. Mum has work clothes there. No worries about the shirt.
She sees him to the door, kisses him goodbye a ritual theyve kept throughout their fiveyear marriage. James gives her a quick hug, then rushes out, his touch feeling hurried. When the door shuts, Eleanor leans against it, closes her eyes. Something feels off, as if a thread has snapped.
She collapses onto the bed, the scent of his aftershave still clinging to the pillowcase. Over the past two months James has grown distant, colder, staying later at work. All signs point to one thing an affair. She refuses to believe it, telling herself he couldnt betray their love.
Just work stress, she whispers to the pillow. Hes having a bit of an autumn slump. Yesterday morning he declared his love for her, repeating the words like a mantra. People change, she knows, but not James, not the man shes planned a future with. She pushes the thought of infidelity aside, telling herself shes making a mountain out of a molehill.
On Saturday morning Eleanor heads to the supermarket before the crowds. She fills a cart with Jamess favourite beef stew meat, fresh veg for a salad, even an expensive fillet they only splurge on for holidays. Back home she spends the afternoon cooking with care. The stew simmers thick and smoky, just as her motherinlaw, Mrs. Harper, liked it. The meatballs turn out fluffy and juicy, a dash of cream in the mix as her grandmother taught her. She packs everything into containers.
Ill take it over to Mum, she decides. James said his mum will be at a friends all day, and hell be on the roof until evening. No one will have time to cook. She loads the car, checks for spills, and drives out of town. The drive to Mrs. Harpers cottage takes about forty minutes on the main road, then a few more on a winding country lane. Mrs. Harper lives in a modest village, in a cosy old house with a big garden. When Eleanor pulls up to the familiar green gate, the first thing she notices is that Jamess car is nowhere in the driveway.
She steps out, peeks through the gate. The roof looks brand new metal tiles gleam in the autumn sun, gutters freshly installed. Mrs. Harper, in an old bathrobe, hums while tending the vegetable patch.
Eleanor quietly gets back into the car and drives off without greeting her motherinlaw or delivering the lovingly prepared food. Anguish tightens around her heart. James has lied, brazenly and cynically. Why? The answer is obvious, yet she clings to a thin strand of hope.
All the way home she searches for a logical explanation. Maybe he finished the roof early? Maybe he went off to get supplies? But the new roof speaks for itself it wasnt replaced yesterday or the day before.
On Sunday evening James trudges home, tired but smiling, a faint trace of foreign perfume clinging to him. His shirt is still clean, though a bit creased.
Whew, what a day, he says, slipping off his boots at the doorway, not meeting her eyes. Can you believe I only finished the roof this evening? Itll hold for at least twenty years now, Mums pleased.
Good job, Eleanor replies from the kitchen, watching his movements. How about we go to your mums next weekend? Id like to catch up, its been ages. And I can see the work youve done.
James pauses, then reluctantly agrees, rubbing his neck his telltale nervous gesture.
Alright though shell probably be busy with jams and pickles, he mutters.
Nothing will take long, Eleanor smiles, though a sense of impending doom presses on her.
All week she rehearses the conversation, choosing each word. James behaves as usual off to work, back in the evenings, sharing anecdotes, but he avoids eye contact and turns his head away in bed.
The next Saturday is bright and warm. They drive in silence, James drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, adjusting the rearview mirror. Eleanor watches the golden fields roll by, thinking how to start the talk, how to bring the truth to light.
At the kitchen table Mrs. Harper bustles about, laying out salads, slicing bread, pulling pickles from the cellar. James sits stiff, hardly touching his food.
Mrs. Harper, hows the new roof? Eleanor asks. James mentioned you had it replaced last weekend. Must have cost a pretty penny.
A heavy silence settles. Mrs. Harper looks bewildered, then at her son, then at Eleanor.
What roof? We replaced it back in June while you two were on holiday. I even called you about the colour of the tiles, she says.
Mom, youre mixing things up, James interjects, his voice shaking.
Oh dear, Im sorry, Sweetheart, Mrs. Harper rushes, seeing James turn pale. I meant the old one, I think. James just patched it up a bit last weekend
Dont make up stories, Eleanor cuts in, turning her gaze on James. Ive figured it out. Youre cheating on me, arent you?
James mumbles something incoherent, his hands clenched under the table. Eleanor stands, her legs trembling but she forces herself upright.
Honestly, I didnt expect this from you. Weve always been open, at least I thought so. If you found someone else, you should have told me. I could have ended this without drama.
Eleanor, youre being harsh! Mrs. Harper erupts, jumping from her seat. Everyone slips up! Men are men. You should forgive him, keep the family together. All husbands stray, itll pass, trust me.
No, Eleanor replies firmly, moving toward the door. I wont forgive such betrayal. James, stay here with your mother; Ill bring your things back in a few days. Dont bother returning.
Eleanor, wait! James lunges after her, grabbing her wrist at the gate, turning her around. Im sorry! It was a stupid mistake, I didnt mean anything. She means nothing to me, I swear!
She pulls her hand free, tears welling but she refuses to cry.
You lied and betrayed me. I dont care if it was a vision or Mercury in retrograde. You broke my heart and ruined our family, and I will never forgive you. Live with that.
She walks toward the bus stop, not looking back. James stands at the gate, head bowed, while Mrs. Harper mutters about youth and passion, insisting everything will sort itself out.
At home Eleanor methodically packs Jamess belongings clothes, shaving kit, his favorite SpiderMan mug from their first year together into boxes and bags. The next day she delivers them to Mrs. Harpers cottage. Mrs. Harper tries once more to persuade her, even shedding a few tears.
Think it over, love. Let James come back, you can talk calmly. Youve been together five years!
The decisions made, Eleanor says, loading the last box. Ill file for divorce on Monday. Nothing will bind us any more. And please, dont call me.
James stands at the doorstep of his mothers house, dishevelled in a crumpled Tshirt, looking lost. Eleanor doesnt glance his way, turns, and walks out of his life forever.
The divorce proceeds quickly theres little joint property, no children, thank heavens. The flat was Eleanors before the marriage, so theres nothing to split. James doesnt contest, only asks for meetings through a solicitor, which she declines.
Three months later she runs into Olivia, a mutual acquaintance, at a café near work.
Heard about James? Olivia asks, stirring her coffee, eyes gleaming for gossip.
No, Id rather not, Eleanor replies, but Olivia continues in a lowered voice, Can you believe it? She dumped him right after the divorce! Turns out she wanted a married man the thrill, the secret A single guy bored her. Now he lives with his mum, lost his job. Quite the sad sight.
Eleanor shrugs, finishing her green tea.
Its not my problem now.
She pays and steps onto the crisp autumn street. The cold sun shines down, and she reminds herself that life goes on, without lies, without betrayal, without James.
