After her training, Vicky hurried home, eager to prepare supper for her husband. Stepping into the flat, she found Leon sitting at the kitchen table, sipping wine.
“Well, isnt this cosy? Drinking alone, Leon? Couldnt wait for me? At least let me fix a bite to eat…”
“No, sit. We need to talk.”
Never had she seen him so downcast and troubled. Good Lord, what had happened?
“I dont know how to say this but Ill be straight with you. My secretary, Kitty, is expecting my child. Im leaving to be with her.”
“Like something out of a tawdry novel. How long has this been going on?”
“About a year. She started showing interest the moment she joined, and I couldnt resist. Young, pretty, cheerfuljust like you were in your youth. I fell for her like a schoolboy! I meant to confess sooner, but I hadnt the courage. I didnt want to hurt you.”
“I wont disappear. Were soon to be parents. Ive always wanted a child of my ownthough I love your Thomas as if he were mine, hes not my blood. I need an heir for my business. With Kitty, I feel alive again. Perhaps its a midlife crisisyouve heard of those?”
“Leon, I daresay youre being a fool. But I wont stand in your way. Youre rightyou ought to be there for the child. As for the flat and the car, keep them. Ill manage. Ive always fancied travelling, living for myself.”
“When are you leaving? Need help packing?”
Leon stared, astonished at her calm. No hysterics, no sceneperhaps this was for the best.
“Well then, goodbye, love. Thank you for the years we sharedthey were good ones. But life has its own plans. Maybe Ill find someone new and be happy again. Off you goKitty must be waiting, mustnt she?”
Leon grabbed his bags, forced a weak smile, and vanished into the lift.
The door clicked shut. Vicky wandered to the kitchen, pulled a bottle of champagne from the fridge, poured a full glass, and drank deeply. Her husband had left her. How strange it sounded.
Never had she imagined such a turn. Theyd lived quietly all those yearsnever madly in love, but thered been comfort, habit, respect.
No use crying over spilt milk. A new life, new rules! Shed find her way, and Leon would pay. Foolish to refuse his moneyit meant freedom. Still, shed have to adjust to solitude.
And so began Vickys whirlwind of new pursuits. Dance classes after work, weekends at museums, cinemas, the gym. Luckily, she wasnt aloneher neighbour, Irene, cheerful and single, was happy to join her.
Her son Thomas studied in another city and seldom visited. Vicky thrived. She cooked only what she fancied, answered to no one. No one could forbid her anything. The thought of another man never crossed her mindshe was content alone.
The divorce passed quietly. Once, she glimpsed Kitty in the courthouselovely girl, Leon had good taste.
True to his word, Leon sent money each month. Vicky was gratefulhe had plenty, his business thrived, and parting with it cost him nothing. Kitty likely never knew.
A year passed. Vickys routine helddancing, workouts, a few trips abroad. Then the payments stopped. She didnt ask why. No doubt Kitty had put her foot down. No mattershed manage. Thomas earned enough to cover his studies, and her wages sufficed.
One lazy Sunday, she cooked fish stew, then realised shed forgotten breadher favourite part. Dashing to the shop, she ran into Leon.
“Leon! What brings you here?”
“Hello, Vicky. I live nearby nowbought a flat.”
“Fancy that. Hows Kitty? And the baby? What did you have?”
“A daughter but heres the thing. Kitty was planted by a rival. She wheedled her way in, I fell for heryou know the rest. After the birth, she pressed me to sign over the business, feared Id leave her with nothing.”
“In a fit of emotion, I did it. Left a secret sum asideshe never knew. Then she threw me out. The child wasnt even mine. The business went to my rival. Quite the mess, eh? Straight out of a bad play.”
“Ive a flat, a jobno complaints. But the life I had is gone. And I cant help you now Im sorry. I expect youve no wish to speak to me after all this.”
Vicky pitied him. He looked dreadful. That scheming minx! All his hard work, gone!
“You great fool, Leon! Come roundIve just made fish stew, your favourite.”
They talked warmly in the kitchen where theyd shared so many meals, but now as friends, not spouses.
Occasionally, they rang one another. No talk of reunioneach had their own path. Vicky met a man at dance class, married, and was happy.
She invited Leon to the wedding. He came, even toasted her joy. There, he met the grooms sister Six months later, Vicky and her new husband celebrated at his wedding.
Life is full of surprises! Never give up, no matter what. You never know whats comingjust live, and find joy in each day.
