**Betrayal, Take Two**
Veronica and Tia drove to work together—Tia behind the wheel, steady and responsible, while Veronica, lively and careless, balanced her out. They’d been friends for nearly a decade, sharing an office with two other colleagues. Neither was married; their grown children lived separate lives. Tia had buried her husband seven years ago after a tragic accident and never considered love again.
*”You need a man in your life, Tia. Not marriage—just someone to go out with,”* Veronica often insisted. She, ever hopeful, had divorced eight years prior after walking in on her husband with another woman. She’d tossed his things out without a word—the flat was hers—and moved on, though no one since had measured up.
For her forty-fifth birthday, Veronica threw a restaurant party, ignoring Tia’s warning about the English superstition of avoiding big celebrations at forty. *”Life’s too dull if you believe every old tale,”* she laughed. That evening, a handsome stranger, reminiscent of a film star, caught her eye across the room. By the night’s end, he’d joined their table.
*”Where’d you find him?”* Tia whispered.
*”He asked me to dance. Told him it’s my birthday—he promised a gift tomorrow.”*
Soon, Veronica was dating Daniel. By their second meeting, she learned he was married. *”We’re divorcing,”* he assured her. *”The kids are grown. Nothing ties us anymore.”* He wooed her with roses, dinners, countryside drives. Tia barely recognised her friend—floating, careless, infatuated.
*”You’re losing your head,”* Tia warned. *”He’s a charmer, not a keeper.”*
*”Jealousy’s unbecoming,”* Veronica teased.
*”I’m trying to spare you heartbreak. You’re too emotional.”*
A year and a half passed. Daniel stopped mentioning divorce. Then, he vanished—replaced Veronica with a woman ten years younger. *”I’ve fallen in love,”* he admitted when confronted. *”Meant to tell you sooner.”*
Veronica sobbed on Tia’s shoulder for weeks. *”He’s a liar. Not worth your health,”* Tia soothed, dragging her to films, dinners, even her mum’s cottage in the Cotswolds for barbecues with friends. Slowly, Veronica healed—smiling again, dressing up.
Then one Sunday, Tia spotted Daniel’s car outside Veronica’s flat.
*”So *this* is why you skipped the cottage,”* she fumed.
The next morning, Veronica pranced into the office, guilty but glowing. *”Daniel’s back! He wants to take me to Spain—says I’ll outshine everyone there.”*
*”And you believe him?”*
*”He apologised. Said we were on pause. Now we’re restarting.”*
Tia scoffed. *”You’re not fifteen. Remember the pain?”*
*”I can’t help it. And it’s not like suitors are lining up,”* Veronica retorted.
When Veronica called from Spain, gushing about Daniel’s devotion, Tia hung up uneasy. *”Either I’m wrong about him, or he’s *that* cunning.”*
Returning sun-kissed and laden with gifts, Veronica declared, *”He’s filing for divorce! We’ll marry after.”* Tia forced a smile but couldn’t shake her doubts.
Autumn arrived, wet and windswept. Then, a tearful call: *”He left me—for a twenty-year-old.”*
Tia held her. *”This was betrayal, *take two*. Please, learn this time.”*
Veronica nodded, spent. Tia hoped it finally sank in. But only time would tell.
