So, listen to this. On Wednesday morning, while we were having breakfast, Charles asked if he could borrow my bank card. He sounded all earnestworried, but not dramatic.
Elizabeth, I need to make a company payment. My cards been blocked, just for a couple of days. Could you save me?
I wiped my hands on my apron, fished my card out of my purse, and handed it over. Charles took it quickly, almost like he was scared Id change my mind, and kissed me on the head.
Thank you, love, you always come through for me, he said.
After twenty years of marriage, Id learnt not to ask too many questions. Trust, or at least pretending to, comes with the territory.
Friday evening, while I was ironing the bedsheets, I overheard Charles in the next room on the phone. The door was slightly ajar and his voiceso cheerful and relaxed, nothing like the tone he uses with mecarried over.
Mum, dont worry. Its all sorted. The restaurants booked, table for six, brilliant menu, cocktails, fizzjust as you like it. No, she has no idea. Why would I tell her? I said were having a quiet one at home, just us.
My iron froze in mid-air.
My simple wife wont suspect a thing. Shes a small-town girl, Mum, remember? Did her best here twenty years, but honestly, shes still a country mouse. Yep, paying for everything with her card, of course. Mines blocked, but well have a right do at The Diamond Shore! She wouldnt set foot in a place like that anyway, relax. Let her stay in and watch telly.
I switched off the iron. I walked into the kitchen, poured myself a glass of water, and drank the whole thing in one go. My hands were steady, but inside I just felt… empty and icy, as if someone had scooped everything out of me.
Naive wife country woman her card
I put the glass in the sink and stared out the window. It was getting dark outside. Maybe he was rightperhaps I really am as naive and mild as a mouse. But even mice will bite if you back them into a corner.
Saturday morning, I rang the bank and had my card blocked. Told them I’d lost it and was worried about potential misuse.
From the bank, instead of going straight home, I drove all the way to the part of town where I used to live. James opened the door in his slippers, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
Eliza? Gosh, its been years! Dont just stand there. Come in.
We sat in his kitchen, drinking tea. I told him the whole thingbriefly, no drama. He listened without interruption.
I get it, he said at last. Listen, Liz, you once saved my entire family, remember? When Dad lost his job, you brought round a sack of potatoes, said they were leftovers, but we knew you gave your last. Now its my turn to return the favour. Their big do is Monday night, right?
Banquet starts at nine. Ill ring when its time to pay. Come in then. Ill have a word with the waiter.
Monday night, I dug out the burgundy dress Id sewn three years ago but never wornnever had an occasion, really. Did my hair, put on my makeup. One last look in the mirrorI wasnt a mouse tonight.
James called at half ten. Come on now. Theyve asked for the bill. Any minute, theyll try your card.
Got a cab and arrived in twenty minutes. The restaurant glittered with stained glass and gold. James met me in the foyer, nodded towards the dining area.
Third table from the window.
I walked in. The place was alive with laughter, clinking glasses. I made my way past the tables and there they were. Charles at the head of the table, his mother Barbara in her brown suit beside him, his sister Linda and her husband on his other side. Only crumbs of pudding left, a sparkle of glasses.
The waiter appeared with the bill. Charles, not even glancing at the total, pulled out my card and placed it on the tray, looking for all the world as if it was his own money.
Service here is first-rate, he boomed, surveying the table. See, Mum? I told you Id sort you out a real celebration. None of that paltry stuffa proper treat.
Barbara beamed, primping her hair. Thats my boy. Now this is how its done. Not like some people who only ever sit in a corner at the sewing machine.
Linda gave a little snigger. Charles grinned, delighted with himself.
Oh, Mum, you know meonly the best for you. Thank goodness I have the means.
The waiter tried my card. Once. Twice. Frowned at the reader. Came back to the table.
Sorry, that cards been declined. Its blocked.
Charles went pale.
Blocked? That cant be right. Try again.
I tried three times. Its not valid.
I stepped up to the table. Barbara spotted me first, face draining of colour.
Elizabeth? Charles sprang to his feet. You what are you doing here?
I looked at him, calm and collected.
Ive come to the party. The one you threw using my money. Without me.
You could hear a pin drop. Even the glassware on the next table stood still.
Liz, listen, this is a misunderstanding Charles reached toward me, but I moved away.
This isnt a misunderstanding, Charles. Its a lie. I heard your whole chat with your mum on Friday. Every word.
About the country mouse. How I’d be clueless, glued to the telly while you all feasted.
Linda stared desperately at her plate, and Barbara gripped her napkin.
Were you eavesdropping? Charles was indignant. Are you spying on me now?
I was just ironing, you were practically shouting for the entire house to hearbragging to your mother how clever you were, making a fool of your wife. Not eavesdropping, Charlesyou just never thought it was worth hiding. Thought the mouse wouldnt bite.
He tried to compose himself.
Alright, yes, I was wrong, but can we not do this here? Lets go home, sort it out calmly.
No, well have it out right here. I blocked the card on Saturdaytold the bank it was stolen. Because you took it by deceit and planned to spend our money on something I wasnt even to know about. So now, dear, youll have to pay another way. Cash, please.
James strolled over, arms folded across his chest.
If there are any issues with the payment, Ill be forced to call the police. The bill needs settling.
Charless face pinged from white to red to nearly purple.
Liz, do you understand what youre doing? You’re humiliating me!
Me? I smiled. You did that yourself. When you decided your country wife didnt even deserve honesty.
Barbara leapt up, jabbing a finger at me. How dare you speak to him like that! Youre nothing without him! Nothing!
I looked her in the eye, steady and soft. Maybe. But at least now, I dont have to pretend. Its so much better than staying the clueless, trusting wife.
The next twenty minutes may as well have been hours. Charles emptied his wallet, Barbara her handbag, Linda and her husband turned out their pockets, gathering coins and notes, hissing at each other under their breath. The waiter waited, poker-faced. Other diners tried not to stare.
I just stood to the side and watched the whole shimmer of their showy stateliness unravelevery bit of posturing, every lie, falling to bits right before my eyes.
Once theyd scraped together enough, I took an envelope out of my bag and set it in front of Charles.
Divorce papers. You can read them at home.
And I turned and walked out, spine straight, steps strong. James held the door for me and whispered, Keep your chin up, Liz.
The midnight air greeted me with cold wind, and something melted warm in my chest. Freedom.
The divorce was final three months later. Charles rang and begged my forgiveness, but I never answered. I got my half from the house sale.
A year on, he called one last time.
Liz, I made a mistake. Mum lives with meshe nags all dayI lost my job. Cant we try again?
No, Charles.
I hung up and never gave him a second thought.
Sometimes I remember that evening at the restaurantwalking through the crowd, the look on Charless face when I set down the envelopeand I realise: it wasnt an end. It was a beginning.
I spotted Linda in the supermarket the other dayshe turned her back. I let her. Why bother? We live in different worlds now.
Yesterday, James popped by.
So, Liz, any regrets?
I glanced at the window. Outside, spring, sunshine, and life.
Not for one second, James.
He nodded.
Thats right, Liz. Only regret the things you didnt do, not the things you did.James grinned, and I caught my own reflection in the glassolder, wiser, but lighter than Id ever been. A bird darted through the sunlit garden, and for the first time in years, I noticed how sweet the world could smell.
As James took his leave, he paused at the doorway. Come for tea next week? Mum would love to see you.
Id like that, I said, meaning it.
When the door clicked shut, I wandered into the living room. I put on the gramophonethe old waltz Charles never cared forand swept through the empty space, tracing smooth circles on the polished floorboards. There was just me now: no secrets pressing at my back, no lies shrouding the lampshade. Just music, and sunlight, and the taste of freedom at the corner of my lips.
Maybe I was a country mouse once. Now I knew: even the smallest things can start a stampede if you let them.
I picked up my sewing, smiled at the garden, and turned the radio up louder. The world outside beckoned, and this time, I was running toward it.
