While Emily was paying at the till, William wandered off. As she started packing the groceries, he strolled right out of the shop. Outside, she found him leaning against the wall, enjoying a cigarette like he hadnt a care in the world.
“Will, take the bags, please,” Emily said, holding out two heavy shopping bags.
William blinked at her as if shed just asked him to rob a bank. “And youll be doing what, exactly?”
Emily stared. What sort of question was that? Since when did a bloke just stand there while his wife lugged the shopping? It wasnt exactly chivalrous, was it?
“Theyre heavy,” she pointed out.
“So?” William dug his heels in.
He could see her irritation brewing, but on principle, he wasnt about to play packhorse. He marched ahead, knowing she couldnt catch up. *”Carry the bags? What am I, a donkey? Her personal butler? Im a grown manIll decide if I lift a finger! She wont collapse from a few tins and a loaf of bread!”* Today, he fancied putting his foot down.
“Will, where are you going? Grab the bags!” Emily called, her voice wobbling.
The bags *were* heavyhed stuffed the trolley himself. The flat was only five minutes away, but weighed down like a pack mule, it felt like a marathon.
Emily trudged home, fighting back tears. She half-expected him to turn back with a cheeky grin, but nohe was vanishing into the distance. For a mad second, she considered dumping the lot, but muscle memory kept her going. At the front steps of their building, she collapsed onto a bench, exhausted. Furious tears pricked her eyes, but she swallowed themcrying in public? Not her style. But swallow *this*? No chance. Hed insulted her. Humiliated her. And this from the man whod once brought her flowers every Friday.
“Hello, love!” A voice snapped her out of it.
“Ohhello, Mrs. Bennett,” Emily forced a smile.
Mrs. BennettAgnes to her friendslived one floor down and had been like a grandmother to Emily since her own passed. These days, she *was* family. Mum lived up in Leeds with her new bloke and stepkids, and Dad? Well, absent was putting it kindly.
On impulse, Emily handed over the shopping. After all, she hadnt hauled it for nothing. Agnes pension didnt stretch far, and Emily loved spoiling her with treats.
“Come on, lets get these upstairs,” Emily said, hefting the bags again.
In Agnes tiny kitchen, she unloaded tinned salmon, pâté, peaches in syrupall Agnes favourites, things she could never afford herself. The old womans eyes welled up, making Emily feel guilty for not doing this more often. A kiss on the cheek, and Emily headed upstairs.
William was in the kitchen, crunching on a biscuit.
“Wheres the shopping?” he asked, as if nothing had happened.
“What shopping?” Emily matched his tone. “The ones you helped me carry?”
“Oh, dont be dramatic,” he chuckled weakly. “Youre not still cross?”
“No,” she said calmly. “Just enlightened.”
William stiffened. Hed expected shouting, tears, a row. This quiet resignation was unnerving.
“Enlightened how?”
“I dont actually have a husband,” she sighed. “Thought Id married one, but turns out I wed a toddler.”
“Now thats unfair,” he huffed.
“Is it?” She held his gaze. “I want a partner. You? Seems youd rather I acted like *your* butler. So really, what you need is a *husband*.”
Williams face turned puce, fists clenching. But Emily didnt seeshe was already in the bedroom, packing his things.
He dragged his heels to the bitter end. How could something this petty wreck a marriage?
“It was just a few bags! Whats the big deal?” he protested as she flung socks into his suitcase.
“Your suitcase. Hope *you* can carry it alone,” Emily said, tuning him out.
She knew this was just the first test. Give an inch, and hed take the whole mile. So she ended it, shutting the doorand the chapterfirmly behind him.
