After twentythree years of marriage my wife Victorias life had settled into a dull routine. Our daughter had married and moved to London with her husband, leaving just the two of us and my son Edward at home. I could see that even Edward was drifting away from me.
Emma, could you come over on Saturday? Ill ask Lily to join us and well have a little gettogether like we used to. Its been ages since we all sat in a tight circle, Victoria said. Edwards heading out on a fishing trip with his mates.
Sounds good. Ill be there, Emma replied.
I helped the ladies onto the sofa, turned on some soft music, and slipped into the kitchen. I returned with a tray, set it on the coffee table, poured brandy into glasses, glanced at my guests and smiled.
Heres to us beautiful ladies!
We all lifted our glasses, though Lily sat with a serious expression.
You seem offkilter, Victoria asked Lily. Did your virtual boyfriend bail on you?
Lily took a sip, grimaced, and said, Ugh, this stuff tastes awful.
Really? Its fine, isnt it, Emma? I chuckled. We dont drink it every day, just to set the mood
Emma laughed; she knew Lily wasnt one for spirits at allno brandy, no wine, certainly not vodka.
Nina, why are you looking at her? Shes a teetotaler; shell only have a sip once in a hundred years, Victoria added, waving half a glass, though she too winced at the strength.
What went wrong? Lily asked, looking at Victoria.
Tell us about the date, Victoria urged.
It was decent. He seemed nice, pleasant to talk to, not a bore Hes welloff: runs a business, owns a flat, drives a nice car, Lily replied.
Sounds like a good start, Emma giggled. By the way, Nina, lets get you on a dating site too.
Why would I need that? Victoria asked, surprised. I have a husbandEdward. It feels improper. You two do whatever you like, meet whoever you want.
Ah, but shes married! Whos been complaining about their Edward latelydoesnt pay enough attention, looks at empty space? Lily interjected.
Its not necessary to start an affair, Emma clarified. Just chatting can be good for the soul, for a lift. Lets sign you up and write a profile.
After a glass of brandy Victoria agreed. We all crowded around the laptop and typed a short ad: Witty woman with a good sense of humour seeking a gentleman for enjoyable conversation. My name is Lila.
Victoria forgot the posting amid work deadlines, client meetings and a mountain of reports. Two weeks later, on a Friday, she finally opened her inbox at work.
About twenty messages had piled up. Most were crude and she promptly deleted them, but one caught her eye.
Ive long wanted to talk to an intelligent and lively woman. Ill be honestIm married, but my wife has stopped showing any interest in me. Our marriage has become a boring routine. Im not old yet; Im fortyseven, names Ian.
The letter resonated with Victoria; it mirrored her own situation. She decided to reply.
My marriage feels off too. Its sad to admit, but I havent really spoken hearttoheart with my husband for a long time. Thats why I posted this. Im looking for warm conversation, though I still love my husband. I just want a kindred spirit to share thoughts with, even if only by pen.
Nina, did you get a reply? Lily asked.
Yes, but only one interested me; the rest were vulgar, Victoria said.
People write whatever they like, Lily laughed.
Is everything okay with your virtual boyfriend? Lily pressed.
Oh, Nina, more than okay. Gary turned out to be a decent bloke, though his souls still wounded after his divorce. He hasnt fully recovered. His ex left him for a younger man, almost his sons age. Their son is married now, Lily explained.
Fine, help him heal. Maybe youll even get married yourself, Victoria teased. Not every dating site is full of sleaze. Maybe this is your destiny
Two days later Victoria saw Ians reply.
I see we have a lot in common. Im up for virtual chatting because I still love my wife, even though she sometimes drives me mad. Her friends girls nights get on my nerves; they seem frivolous and shallow. I cant tell her thatshed be hurt. She spends more time with them than with me.
Victoria mulled it over.
True, his life sounds dull, but he does love his wife. We girls often have our own nights out; perhaps Edward would mind that too, though he never mentioned it. If it bothered him, hed have said something, she reasoned.
She replied:
I sympathise with your situation. As for the girls nights, youre wrong. Women need each others company to unwind, vent, laugh and sometimes cry. That doesnt mean they forget their families. In my case, it seems my husband is content.
She told the other ladies about her conversation with Ian; they encouraged her. Lilys relationship with Gary was also moving forward.
Gary booked us two weeks off, were off to Spain. Sun, sea, the works, Lily bragged.
Lucky you, Lily, Emma said. No ones invited me on a holiday Id love that too.
Whats your age, dear? Victoria teased. Maybe another friend will appear. Lifes unpredictablekeep hope alive.
Oh, wheres that mystery friend now? Emma laughed.
Soon Lily left for Spain with Gary. Victorias online exchange with Ian continued; three months later they were writing to each other several times a week. Ians wit and charm grew more appealing with each note.
Meanwhile, the strain with Edward deepened. The more time he spent at work, the more Victoria wrote to Ian. One evening Edward surprised her with a bouquet of flowers.
Edward, why now? she asked.
Just because. Whats the harm? he replied, though she sensed the gesture wasnt heartfelt.
A suspicion nagged at her that Edward might have another woman, but she couldnt bring herself to ask. The situation might have lingered forever if Ian hadnt suggested meeting in person.
Victoria, I know we never planned to meet, but now that Ive learned we live in the same town, I keep looking at women and thinkingcould it be you? Im curious about who you really are. Lets meet.
Victoria agreed.
Theres nothing to lose; one meeting isnt an affair. Besides, Edwards been busy lately, she thought.
She prepared carefully for the meetingwent to the hairdresser, dyed her hair, cut it short, a change shed been contemplating for years. The perfect excuse. She imagined Ian all the while; he had mentioned hed bring a white rose.
When she entered the café she was taken aback by a familiar face.
Victoria! What are you doing here? Edward sprang up, startled.
She spotted a pristine white rose on the table and everything clicked.
So this is you? I never guessed Ian was a madeup name.
Just like Lila, Edward retorted, gesturing to the rose. Sit down, weve got a lot to talk about.
She sat opposite him. At first the conversation was awkward. Victoria wrestled with guilt for meeting someone behind Edwards back, and at the same time she was angry at Edward for doing the same. She recalled the messages shed sent about her husband.
Edward seemed to wrestle with similar thoughts, and Victoria was the first to break the silence.
So you think Ive become less attractive?
Not todayyou look wonderful. Unfortunately, that doesnt help me, he said.
You said you loved your wifestill true?
Absolutely! Its just that weve stopped understanding each other. You have no time for me; I have none for you, Edward sighed.
And you still spent time on the dating site, Victoria smirked.
I think we should start over, Edward suggested. She smiled and nodded.
Alright, Edward took both her hands, looked deep into her eyes. Now I see my beloved wife right in front of me.
And I see my beloved husband. Its a shame the letters will end, Victoria laughed.
Why? We could keep writing to each other, Edward replied.
