“Cheer up, Dave! Dont be down! At least you had a cracking New Years Eve!”
There it washis hometown. Dave stepped off the platform, crossed the station square, and headed for the bus stop. He hadnt told his wife, Emily, he was coming back today.
His mood was sour. He was bracing himself for another unpleasant row with Emily. Shed probably berate him again, call him a selfish git, moan about how he never cared.
But how could she say he didnt care? Hed tried to ring her on New Years Eve, but shed switched her phone off. Bloody typicalshed taken offence over something!
For three days, hed tried calling. Not a peep. So fine, he gave up. If she wanted to sulk, let her.
And lets not forgetshe hadnt even bothered to wish his parents or sister a happy New Year, let alone him. Oh, hed bring that up the second he walked through the door.
She wasnt the only one with faults. If she wanted to point fingers, shed better be ready to answer for her own mistakes. What was that saying? The best defence is a good offence.
Dave squared his shoulders and marched into the building, fists clenched, ready for battle.
The flat was dead silent.
“Oi! Anyone home? Em, Im back!” His voice echoed, unanswered.
He checked the kitchenempty. The bedroomsboth deserted. But something was wrong. The cot against the wall was gone. The changing table, the chest of drawers, the pram his parents had bought themall missing.
He yanked open the wardrobe. Emilys side was bare.
“Has she lost the plot? Has she left me?”
He dialled his mother-in-law. No answer. Next, he tried Katiehis wifes best mate. Nothing. Finally, he got through to Mike, Katies husband.
“Mike, mate. Put Katie on, will you? Cant get hold of her.”
“Shes out in the village with the baby. Dodgy signal there. I just got backshift starts tomorrow.”
“I need to find Em. Got home and the place is stripped. All the baby stuffs gone.”
“Waitwasnt your missus due any day now? You left her alone over Christmas?” Mike sounded stunned.
“She didnt want to come!” Dave protested. “The due date was the tenth. Wed have been back in time.”
“Christ, Dave. Youre a right plonker.”
“Why?”
“Because youre probably single now. Call the hospital, you idiot. Shes probably there.”
—
Ten days earlier.
“I dont get it, Dave,” his mum had said over the phone. “If Em doesnt want to come, you come alone. The babys not due for weeksyoull be back in time.”
“Everyones goingAunt Vera and Uncle Steve, Nat and Vick, even our Vik and Gleb. Weve booked a lodge in the New Forest. Four days30th to the 2nd. Fancy meal, live music. Ive paid for your ticketjust pay me back later.”
“Stay till Twelfth Night, then head home. Youll make it before the baby.”
But Emily refused.
“Dave, I could go into labour any day. Picture iteveryones celebrating, and Im stuck in the middle of nowhere with contractions. What if the ambulance doesnt make it in time? No. Im staying.”
“Honestly,” his mum had sighed. “Women these days act like pregnancys an illness. I had three kids and never made a fuss.”
Deep down, Dave knew Emily had a point. But the thought of a quiet New Years Evejust the two of them, a sad little spread because she “couldnt be bothered” cookingmade him miserable.
Meanwhile, his family would be dancing, drinking, laughing.
So he went alone.
The lodge was brilliant. Just after midnight, he slipped out to call Emily. No answer.
“Fine. Stay mad. Your own fault for missing out.”
The next morning, his mum had a go.
“Emily didnt even call to wish us a happy New Year. Rude. Youve spoiled her, son. She doesnt understand family.”
But Emily hadnt been thinking about them at all.
Her parents, hearing she was alone, had invited her over. No big celebrationjust quiet. Her brother was working in London, so it was just them.
At 9 p.m. on New Years Eve, as she helped set the table, the contractions hit.
The ambulance came. Her mum went with her; her dad followed in the car.
Emily welcomed the New Year in a hospital bed. Her parents waited in the lobby. And by half past midnight, she was holding her son.
—
Dave took Mikes advice and rang the hospital.
“Emily Carter? Discharged yesterday.”
“What? Already? Is the baby here?”
“Yes. Born January 1st, 12:30 a.m.”
“Who picked her up?”
“Sir, we dont log that.”
Only her parents could have collected her. He bought roses and went straight there.
The door opened. His father-in-law stared down at him.
“Can I help you?”
“Im here for Emily.”
“And you are?”
“Her husband.”
“Emily!” her dad called. “Some bloke here says hes your husband. You want to talk to him?”
“No. Tell him to leave.”
His father-in-law shrugged. “You heard her. Cheers.” The door shut.
Dave stood there, then knocked again.
This time, his mother-in-law answeredtall, sharp-eyed, the kind of woman who made his blood run cold.
“Did you not get the message?”
“Let me in. Ive got rights”
She snatched the roses and whipped them across his face.
“Your rights? A solicitor will explain those. Now sod offmy grandsons sleeping.” She hurled the bouquet at his feet and slammed the door.
Dave trudged home, rubbing his face. Roses had thorns.
He called his mum.
“They wouldnt even let me see my son.”
“Dont fret, love. Shell come crawling back. Where else will she go? Dont call. Dont send money. Let her parents foot the bill. A week or two, shell be back.”
Dave ate a sad microwave meal and went to bed.
He slept soundlynot knowing it was his last night in that flat.
The next evening, he found his belongings in boxes on the landing.
His mother-in-lawwho owned the flatanswered the door.
“Remember your student digs, dear? Better get packing. Whatevers left by morning goes in the bin.”
So Dave moved into shared housing.
The divorce was quick. He thought about renting, but after child support and alimony deductions, his pay barely covered beans on toast.
“Budget better,” Mike said. “Youll need savings for your own place. Cheer up, mate! At least you had a cracking New Years Eve!”
For three years, Emily stayed with her parents, raising little Jack while renting out the flat. When she went back to work, they moved back in. After renovations, no trace of Dave remained.
Sowhat do you think of Daves choices? Drop your thoughts below.
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