Weve lived under one roof for forty years, and now at sixty-three you want to change your whole life?
Margaret sank into her favourite armchair, gazing out the window as dusk smeared across the rooftopstrying to forget the events of the day. Only hours before, shed fussed about in the kitchen, preparing supper and expecting Victor back from his fishing trip. He returned, not with fish, but with tidings hed long kept tucked away, too anxious to speak them aloud.
I want a divorce, and I ask you to try to understand, Victor said, eyes flitting toward the wall. The kids are grown, theyll understand. The grandchildren wont care. We can end things quietly and without bitterness.
Forty years together, and suddenly you decide at sixty-three to reinvent yourself? Margaret couldnt comprehend. I deserve to know what happens next.
Youll stay in our city flat, and Ill move to the cottage, Victor replied, as if the decision was set in stone. Theres nothing for us to divide, and eventually the girls will inherit everything.
Whats her name? Margaret asked, resigned.
Victor blushed, busied himself with jacket and keys, pretending her question got lost in the noise. Margaret knew then, without doubt, there was another woman. In her youth, such dilemmas hadnt existed, and she’d never imagined that in the twilight of life shed be left alone, her husband gone to someone else.
Perhaps things will improve, Mum. Maybe youll feel better soon, comforted Alice and Harriet afterwards. Dont mind what Dads up to.
Theres nothing left to improve, Margaret sighed. But theres no sense changing things now. Ill simply live out my days and rejoice in your happiness.
Alice and Harriet took the train out to Victors cottage for a frank conversation. They returned pale and subdued, reluctant to share what theyd discovered. Their rhetoric shifted: they began convincing Margaret that living alone could have its own merits, less fuss and fussing over others. Margaret understood, but refrained from questioning her daughters. She tried to move forward, though it wasn’t easyrelatives and neighbours had grown curious, poking noses into split and speculating with gusto.
How strange, so many years side by side, and now, near the end, hes run off to someone else clucked the tactless neighbours. Is she younger than you, or richer?
Margaret found herself at a loss, but her thoughts often circled the mysterious rival. She began to yearn to glimpse this other woman. For this, she even made the journey to Victors cottage, under the pretext of collecting summer preserves. She didnt announce her visit, hoping to catch the rival unawaresand she did.
Victor darling, you didnt mention your ex-wife dropping in, complained the flamboyant woman with garishly painted lips. I thought you said things were settled, whats she doing here?
You seriously left me for this? Margaret asked, eyeing the brazen figure.
Are you just going to let her insult me? screeched the woman. Im only a few years younger than you, but I look miles better.
If she really thinks being ostentatious is everything at her age Margaret muttered, seeking Victors embarrassed gaze.
All the way to the bus stop, the cacophony of the womans shrill jeering followed Margaret, and she tried not to weep. Only once home did she let herself cry, ringing her sister for company.
Stop it now, Nina brewed mint tea and fussed at her. You said yourself, Victors new wife isnt pretty, and by the sound of her, not very bright.
Maybe shes right, maybe I do look like an old woman now, Margaret said, uncertain.
You look lovely for your age, Nina replied honestly. Its a mistake for a woman in her seventies to squeeze into leopard-print leggings and mini-skirts. A woman is beautiful at any age if shes poised and dignified.
Margaret studied her reflection and found herself agreeing. She was fit and seldom complained about her health. Dressed neatly, her daughters bestowed cosmetics regularly. She was never a nuisance, never a parrot with loud colour, and saw no sense in behaving as the rival did.
Well, good, Nina continued. Now that youre a free woman, you can enjoy life. Your daughters are independent, theres plenty of opportunity and culture for us. I wont let you mope.
Nina kept her promisepulling Margaret along to theatres, leafy strolls and concerts. Soon, a circle gathered, made up of friends of their age. Among them was a gentleman who began showering Margaret with attention; she gently declined, steering clear of any romantic rendezvous.
Heard youre off to ballets now, got new friendsthinking of getting married again? Victor couldnt resist, bumping into her at the grocers.
And what brings you so far for shopping? Arent there shops closer to your cottage, or does your new wife not cook? Margaret asked.
Ive always shopped here, old habits die hard at our age, Victor grumbled.
Margaret didnt pursue the topic, made her excuses and hurried home. Victor, inexplicably, wanted to chase after her and confess how dearly he regretted the separation. His entire life had revolved around her and their children, until dazzling Tanya whirled him into her storm of passion.
At first, life with Tanya seemed lively, but slowly Victor realised her distaste for housekeeping. She preferred gossip, mingling with men, and noisy dinner parties over homely calm.
Lately, Victor found himself longing for home more and more. After meeting Margaret, this desire grew stronger. She never made scenes, never quarreled or unraveled old argumentsshe simply persevered, dignified and kind, in the face of turmoil. Victor never imagined hed miss so much the tranquility and comfort that had only ever existed with Margaret.
Youve bought apricots again, I wanted prunes snapped Tanya, rifling through his shopping bags. And the cheese isnt fatty enough, and you forgot the mayonnaise altogether.
In the old days, Margaret did the shoppingor we did it together. But you leave it all to me, Victor replied.
Im sick of you comparing me to your ex, Tanya screeched. Why dont you just admit you regret leaving her?
Victor truly did regret it, but knew saying so would be pointless. Margaret had never plotted or manipulated; she simply remained herself, while Victor desperately wished for her forgiveness.
Yet he knew, deep down, that Margaret would never trust him or welcome him back. Hed tried phoning several times, after miserable arguments, and once, after a particularly harsh fight, hed even ventured up to her familiar doorstep.
Is there something you need to fetch? Margarets voice held the door ajar, barring entry.
Id just like to talk, if you have time? Victor mumbled, catching the aroma of plum pie wafting outhis favourite.
I have no time, no mind, and no wish, she replied calmly. Take whatever you want, but Im expecting company.
Victor had nothing to collect, everything to say, and yet no words. He trudged back to the cottage and wandered into the kitchen, preparing his own supper as Tanya tore around the village. She returned merry and tipsy, and Victor, quite resolved, gave her notice to pack her things.
After Tanyas theatrics, Victor thought to phone Margaret and share his misery, but in the end dismissed the idea and calmed himself. He knew Margaret too wellshe would never forgive, never forget.
Perhaps someday, in the distant future, he might return with repentance and finally speak his piece. He needed to, or hed never know peace. He even hoped for forgiveness, not for rekindling their marriage, but simply acceptance; Margaret would never forgive the betrayal, and Victor knew this as soon as he began his affair with Tanya.
Now, his days droned by at the cottage, while Margaret lived in the city flatdays filled with daughters, grandchildren, and excursions to theatres. Victor, the ex-husband, had faded from her tapestry forever.
