Claire, stay home, will you? Am I meant to drag you along everywhere just because were married? grumbled Richard as he admired himself in the hallway mirror. Claire didnt pay him any mindshe was busy getting ready to visit friends at their cottage for the weekend. And, as always, she was being thorough and organised, fitting every bit the quintessential English hostess. Yet, somehow, today everything felt off.
In the corridor, she caught sight of her husband in a crisp, white summer shirt and raised an eyebrow.
Rich, why are you all dressed up? Im not scrubbing barbecue stains out of that, just so you know, she teased, shaking her head. Would you fetch those food bags? Theyre ready to go. Ill just change into my dress, then we can leave.
Richard eyed the bags she handed to him, clearly unimpressed.
What on earth is all this? he asked, reluctantly taking them.
Rich, dont be daftits everything for the cottage! You know full well that Anna, nice as she is, couldnt cook a proper meal if her life depended on it. I brought new potatoes, salads, and a chicken pie. Let Mark eat Annas experiments if he likes, but I wont have you calling the NHS after! she declared, not missing a beat.
Richards jaw only tightened.
Claire, lookjust stay at home today, will you? Rustle up something healthy instead, or better still, why not go for a jog round the park? Sitting at your desk all days starting to show. Ive just got to nip over to Martins for a bit. Ill be back soon.
Youre going without me? Claire asked, her tone incredulous, as Richard clicked his tongue.
I wasnt going to say, seeing as youre always swamped with work and barely have time for anyone anymore. But anywayMartin and Anna have split up! Martin apparently needed some novelty. Hes got someone new now. I didnt want to go, but he asked for help with the barbecue. No one can grill like I do, Richard smirked, moving the bags out of the way.
Claire hadnt expected that revelation. Shed always got on well with Anna, but her own life had become so busy since she started renting out the flat shed owned before marrying Richard. Between work, house chores and the chaos her tenants left behind, her time for friends had dwindled. She hadnt rung Anna in weeks, but she could never have imagined their perfect marriage would unravel so quickly.
Blimey, Claire breathed. Let me guesssome glammed-up tart got her claws in, so you dont want me there to ruin the show?
Oh, dont be ridiculous, Claire. Shes a regular woman, just like you. Honest! Its just best if you stay home, darling. You and Anna will have plenty of time to gossip, Richard grinned.
Something in Claire rebelled. Maybe it was solidarity, or just curiosity, but she insisted she go with him.
***
Richard spent half the drive in silence, muttering about motorway traffic and incompetent drivers on the A1. Claire, meanwhile, was texting her estate agent about selling her old flat.
Hows it goingmanaging alright without me? Richard asked, keeping an eye on her phone from the corner of his eye.
Oh, the flat? No progress, really. One lot want it immediately after paying a deposit, the next wont take it without new furniture or refurbishmentand you know what state its in, Claire sighed.
Money for refurbishment is no issue, Richard cut in.
I just need a holiday by the sea, Rich. Maybe we could get away?
Pick. Either the flat gets done up, or you get your holiday, Claire. And besides, I do have a job, rememberhow am I supposed to just swan off?
Claire went on, mentioning that their neighbour had asked if her daughter and son-in-law could rent the place. Richard bristled at the idea.
Dont even think about it. They wont pay! Lets do up the flat, sell it, and Ill decide what to do with the cash, he dictated. Frankly, I shouldve taken this on myself. Youre too soft, Clairefirst buyer to blink and youll have flogged our flat for peanuts!
Our flat? Claire echoed.
Yes, our flat. Were family, arent we? Richard replied coolly.
Arriving at the countryside cottage, Martin greeted them at the gate with typical cheek. About time! Did you walk? he laughed.
While the men shook hands, Claire climbed out, observing Martins transformationtrendy t-shirt stretching over his middle, skinny jeans with artful rips. Anna wouldve fainted at the sight.
Claire! Dont stand there like a stranger! Martin swept her into a hug. Forget the food, love. Annas gone and ordered everything from the takeaway already. Come on inside.
The bags were forgotten in the boot.
In the summerhouse where their merriest gatherings happened, a bright peal of girlish laughter floated out. As Claire and Richard drew closer, she saw Martins new flamea pretty young blonde, not alone but with a friend in tow. Theyd just come in from the pool, giggling between bites.
Claires heart dropped: Martin had traded Anna for some dolled-up Instagram lookalike. Claire, never the model type, suddenly felt drab by comparison.
Richard and Claire quietly sat at the edge of the group. Richard fussed over Angela and Tasha, the two women, barely acknowledging his wifewhich Claire made a note of.
On the table: two pizzas and some take-away chips in polystyrene trays. Anna would die if she saw Martin eating this lot, Claire thought, though she kept her thoughts to herself.
Lets introducethis is Claire, Richards other half. Shes a freelancerunemployed, basically, Martin said with a sharp chuckle that stung.
And this is my queenthe love of my life, Angela, and her mate, Tasha, he beamed, without introducing Richard to them.
Angelas a beautician, he declared proudly.
Not a shop assistant like Anna, Claire thought.
Im a beautician and makeup artist, Angela added, smiling. Discount for you, if you ever need it.
Claire, self-conscious in her practical summer dress beside the two in breezy kaftans, sat quietly while Richard rolled up his sleeves and got to grilling kebabs. Martin nudged her to mingle.
Tashas a hairdressershe can give Rich a proper trim instead of that old mans cut he insists on, he teased.
Dont tease Richard, darling, Angela giggled. Hes a handsome blokeany stylist would be lucky to have him. Tashas already offered!
Angela and Tasha turned their dazzling smiles on Claire. Fancy joining us for a swim? Tasha invited.
No, thanks, Claire declined stiffly, getting up. Martin, you should have called me. I wouldnt have come if Id known these two were the new hostesses. Things were different with Anna
Oh, dont start on Anna, Martin huffed. Angela and Tasha are nothing but nice, and all you do is act rude.
Nice? Angela all but told me I need work done, offering me her rates, and Tashas sniffing round my husband! And for your information, Rich is too tight to pay for haircutsour neighbour trims him for free and he loves it! Claire snapped, marching over to Richard.
Richard, whod been drooling over the sight of the two swimwear-clad women, caught sight of the brewing storm.
Rich, take me home, Claire demanded.
What has gotten into you? Were having a laugh, her husband protested.
No, were not! Not like we did in Annas day, anyway. This is awful!
Take your wife home, Richshes had enough, Martin waved them off.
Richard took Claires arm, guiding her away, voice low.
Claire, what was that? Youd think after all these years of freelancing, youd learn to hold a civil conversation. Go home, walk round the park with the neighbours or visit your mum. Ill call you a cab.
Claires cheeks burned. Angela and Tashas peals of laughter from the pool carried on the breeze, each one feeling aimed squarely at her. Richard continued:
Cant I just relax and enjoy myself for once without your moaning? Were sick of each other, Claire. Youve become such a bore!
Oh, so you want someone fresh and exciting, like Martin? Claire shot back. Why didnt you mention youd met these women before?
Because I didnt want to! So what if we all met for coffee last week? Whats the big deal?
Its clear enough, Rich. Dont bother coming home, Claire announced, splashing him with what was left of the kebab marinade.
The white shirt was ruined. She stormed out and made her way to the bus stop at the village lane, fuming. Now she understood all too well why he hadnt wanted her at the cottage.
On the walk, she dialled Anna, intending to commiserate and spill the beans about Martins new company.
What do you want? Anna snapped when she answered.
Its me, Claire, she replied, taken aback by the greeting.
Dont call me, and keep Richard away from me! He hes the one who brought that blonde into Martins life. Thats why he left me! And dont say you didnt know.
Claire listened as Anna recounted how Richard had introduced Angela to Martin, helped by Richard, and how quickly the whole thing escalated. Despite patching things up, a sense of betrayal lingered.
Claire now realised her husband had secretsand she didnt have to put up with it.
***
She took a cab to her mothers in a small village on the outskirts of town. Her sons were spending the summer there, off playing outside. Her mother, Margaret, was surprised to see her arrive so late.
Everything alright? she asked anxiously.
Just needed a break from home. Its nearly summers end and weve been nowhere with the boys.
Richards at work, isnt hehardly time off for you both? Margaret tried.
Well, why do I always have to wait for him? Why cant I take the kids away myself? Claire snapped.
Youre married, Claire. How can you holiday without your husband?
Ill manage, Mum! He takes time for himself!
Over tea, Claire explained the scene at Martins cottage.
He just wants new experiences, Mum! Taking some trollop for coffee while the boys and I are stuck at home! Im putting the money we saved for the flat refurb towards a holiday for the boys and me instead.
Margaret urged her not to be rash for the sake of the children, but agreed she deserved a break.
The boys burst in. Mum! What are you doing here?
Ive come for you.
Home? Nooo! they groaned.
Well go home, then were off to Aunt Helens by the sea, Claire said, hugging them tight.
This episode made her take stock. She and Richard were clearly in the dreaded rutthey barely spent time together. She was drifting, always consulting him, never noticing how hed begun running the household by his rules. Now she wondered if hed even consider her feelings if things got worse.
Today he lied to me. Tomorrow, will he follow Martins lead and try to take the flat too? she worried, texting her neighbour to offer the flat to her daughter. Payment arrived the next daya small victory.
***
After the fun barbecue, Richard stayed with his mother for the weekend, plotting how to return and smooth things over.
Trust Claire to ruin a good evening, just had to make a scene! he huffed, scrubbing marinade out of the shirt. He called Claire repeatedlyto no avail.
Shell get over it. Thinks shes the queen of Sheba, he muttered.
Three days later, he returned home to an empty flat: no one there, fridge bare, wardrobes half empty. He finally reached his wifes phone.
Claire, whats going on? he barked.
Dad, Mums not here, answered their eldest, Tom.
S-son wheres your mum? At your grans?
No, were at the seaside! At Aunt Helens, and Mums gone for a swim, Tom replied cheerily.
So, when are you coming home?
No idea. Mums taken some time off work. Not sure when well be back. Gotta go nowbye, Dad! The line went dead.
Bye, grumbled Richard.
***
A week at the seaside flew by. Claire and the boys came back tanned and happy. Richard, left miserable at home, resented not only being ignored for a week or the spent holiday savings, but something else: a decision he couldnt forgive.
Claire walked past him without a hello, straight to unpack.
Richard, baiting for a fight, followed her into the bedroom.
Anything youd like to say for yourself?
About what? she asked, refusing to rise.
He was livid. She had never dared so muchgoing off on holiday, dipping into their joint funds.
We put that money aside for the flat renovations. You spent it at the beach.
My flat, and you only chipped in five thousandout of fifty-five. So there, she tossed over her shoulder.
Dont you turn away from me! Im not your child to be brushed off! What about the flat, then?
Ive let it out. The neighbours daughter and her husband are in and paid.
She looked him squarely in the eye. Richard, whod lost weight and sleep, swallowed his frustration.
You were supposed to sell it! The renovation money was for a purpose! I wont say a word about you taking off on your own, but this is too much!
Dont get worked up, Rich. You said it yourselfam I to drag you everywhere just because were married?
His words came back to stab his ego.
And I dont owe you an account of every move. The flat is mine, and Ill do as I please.
No! The flat is half mine. Im your husband, I have every right! Richard insisted, trying not to snap.
He was too possessive to let anyone else profit from Claires flat.
He couldnt believe shed have the gall to leave. Theyd married straight out of university, raised two boys, and hed always been content. But pleading to her feelings after what happened at Martins felt hollowwhatever affection remained surely wasnt enough to stop a split.
Well split everything down the middle, Rich. Except for the flat I owned before we wed. That Ill sellafter the divorce, Claire said calmly.
Divorce? You cant be serious! Weve got boys, Claire!
You remember the kids now, do you? Theres plenty of reason to call it. You bring other women to cafés, control me, treat me like the help. Let Dasha serve you, Im going to live for myself now. I could use a bit of novelty too! she declared, then filed for divorce.
Yet there were practicalities. Where to go, sharing a two-bedroom flat with someone you now cant stand?
Claire sent the boys to her mother and simply stopped cooking for Richard. It was difficultit had always been her comfortbut enough was enough. To motivate herself, she started the diet Richard had always helpfully suggested.
He soon realised her threats were real when the fridge stayed emptyhe survived on bland staff café food at work, quickly realising how expensive it was.
For a couple of nights, Richard slept on the balcony to make a point, but the cold and unrelenting rain sent him packing back to his mums. She was less than thrilled by the spectacle of a grown man walking out on his wife over nonsense.
Richard told his mother Claire had been running wild at a resort and he wouldnt put up with it.
In truth, Claire found it hard not to laugh every time she saw his sour face. Their kitchen encounters became unintentionally comical. Soon, Richard stormed off to his mums, shaking his suitcases like an angry commuter in rush hour.
***
Two weeks after that notorious barbecue, Richard called Tasha, his new acquaintance. Finally free, single, no ties. Surely, now they could get to know each other.
Tash, want to pop out for a drink? Its just us nowits all sorted.
Rich, we had our fun. I never promised you more, she replied coolly.
Tasha remembered only too well the tight-fisted, married man who hadnt even sent flowers after the party. She had better prospects.
Really, Tash? I thought youd invite me round. Things were awkward at Martins, but Id love to see you again. And you owe me that haircut! he tried, asking one last time.
No, my diarys full. If I get a free slot, Ill call. Besides, dont you get your neighbour to cut your hair? she shot back, totally uninterested.
Richard was left stammering down the line. Tasha never called, not even a text. Claire, it turned out, had warned her off.
***
Time passed, life shifted course, but Claire came to understand: sometimes, you need to break free and rediscover who you are. Happiness is not about pleasing everyonenot even your spouse. Staying true to yourself is far more important than just keeping things as they were. In learning to let go, Claire found her real freedom, and realised: if you dont value yourself, nobody else will.
