Mum let us in on a secret shed bought herself a flat.
The flat was just a stones throw from the city. Her only request? Dont give the address to anyone, lest some uninvited guest accidentally pop roundnamely, my wifes parents, who had quite the penchant for gin and a tendency to overstay their welcome.
At first, I wasnt sure whether I should feel cross or chuffed about it. Its not as though anyone gave me a choice in the matter. Like a pair of sneaky burglars, we shifted our belongings into the new home before sunrise, making sure the neighbours werent watching. I had to start hunting for a job locally, while my wife tried to get used to our new postcode. Both of us were secretly a bit on edge. What if her parents managed to sniff us out and showed up, clinking bottles and knocking at the door?
Soon enough, I landed a gig as a lift operator. The following day, my colleague and I had to do a bit of heroicsthere was a woman trapped between floors, stuck in the lift and looking rather terrified.
We pried open the doors and pulled her out. She was monumentally grateful, shaking like a leaf and convinced her number was up. I did my best to calm her nerves with charming words and a reassuring smile. It was clear she wasnt like the others. I couldnt bear to part ways.
Thats how I became a believer in love at first sight. I decided Id walk her home, gently holding her arm, since her legs seemed to have given up after her ordeal. Tears glistened in her eyes, and she was trembling all over. I desperately wanted to wrap her in a comforting hug and whisper soothing words. She slipped through her front door, giving me a final glance before it shut behind her.
Later that evening, while I was reading a bedtime story to my daughter and my wife disappeared off to the bathroom, I couldnt stop thinking about the events of the dayequal parts melancholy and longing. This woman was stuck in my head. I simply couldnt help myself; she was beautiful, sweet, and a touch fragile.
The next day, once work was done and dusted, I walked over to her door. I mentioned to my neighbour that I was a distant relation from her hometownBirmingham or somewhere like that. It only took ten minutes before I heard the full saga: her husband was a useless drunk and thoroughly lazy. And they had two children.
Honestly, this bit of gossip delighted me. It meant I could go back to my wife and daughter feeling guilt-free. I didnt need anyone elses baggageor their children for that matter. What I needed was to live my own life, with my own family.
And honestly, I breathed the biggest sigh of relief.
