So, you know how messy divorces can get, right? Well, heres a story about a wealthy bloke named Richard who, during his split, decided to leave his wife, Susan, with nothing but a rundown farm stuck out in the middle of nowhere. He thought he was being clever, but what happened a year later completely floored him.
During the break-up, Susan just looked at Richard and said, Richard, you do realise I dont need you here, dont you? I suggest you just head back to London.
He sighed, visibly knackered. Theyd been through so muchsold their flat, sunk every penny into building their business from scratch. Truth be told, Richard had only thrown in his old bedsit, while Susan drove their success with her brains and relentless energy. They scrimped and saved, moving from one rented place to another, but finally, they started to get somewhere.
Then Richard started acting like King of the Castle. Bit by bit, he sneakily put all the assets in his name, making sure that once the divorce papers came through, Susan would get zilch. When he was sure it was all locked down, he filed for divorce.
Susan, totally disillusioned, just asked, Do you really think thats fair, Richard?
He shrugged. Lets not start this again. You havent done anything for ages. I do it all now; youre just coasting.
She kept calm. Youre the one who told me to take a break and focus on myself, she replied.
Richard rolled his eyes. I cant be doing with this. Anyway, do you remember that useless farm I inherited from Mr. Peterson, my old boss? He kicked the bucket, left me that patch of land. Its worthless. Perfect for you. You dont want it, you get nothing.
Susan knew exactly what he was playing at. After twelve years together, it struck her that shed been living with a stranger.
Okay, but on one condition: I want the farm transferred officially to me.
Not a problem. Itll save me on taxes, Richard said with a smirk.
Susan didnt respond. She packed her bags, booked herself into a B&B, and braced herself to start from scratch. Whether it was a derelict farm or just a muddy field, shed find out soon enough. If it was truly hopeless, she thought, shed head back to the city or just figure out a new plan.
She loaded her little car with the bare essentials and left everything else behind for Richard and his new girlfriend. If he thought shed be around to lend her brains to his next plan, he was dreaming. This new woman, who Susan had glimpsed a few times, seemed all style and no substance.
Richard handed her the deeds, grinning sarcastically. Best of luck.
And to you, Susan replied, cool as you like.
Dont forget to send me a picture of the cows! he laughed.
Without a word, Susan shut the car door and drove off. As she left the city behind, the tears started rolling down her cheeks. She didnt even realise how much shed cried until she was startled by a gentle tapping at the window.
You alright, love? My husband and I noticed youve been sat here for a bit, an old lady asked kindly.
Susan glanced at her, then checked the rearview and spotted a bus stop behind. She managed a weary smile.
Im alright, just a bit overwhelmed.
The old woman nodded gently. Weve just come back from the hospital. Our neighbours there all alone, and no one visits her. Are you heading out toward York, by any chance?
Susans eyebrows shot up. York? Thats where the farm is.
How funny, the lady replied. That farms not much to look at these days. The owner passed, and its all falling to bits. Only a couple of folks bother with the animals, bless them.
Susan smiled. What a coincidence. Im headed there myself. Hop in, Ill give you a lift.
The old lady climbed into the passenger seat while her husband shuffled in the back.
Im Susan, by the way, she said as they hit the road.
Im Margaret Turner, and this is my husband, George, replied the woman warmly.
On the drive, Susan learned all the gossip about the old farmwhod been nicking things, who still cared for the animals, and just how run down it was. When she finally pulled in, she was faced with empty fields and a barn barely standing, just twenty cows left to graze. But she decided, on the spot, shed stay and give it everything she had.
Fast-forward a year, and Susan stood on her land, watching eighty cows graze the lush fields. Shed transformed that derelict old place into a thriving business. It wasnt easyshe had to pawn her jewellery to buy animal feed and spent her last few quid to keep things ticking over. But now, orders were pouring ineven from neighbouring counties.
One day, her young farmhand Emily brought her a newspaper advert about some refrigerated lorries going for a song. Susan immediately recognised the contact numberit was Richards firm. Grinning, she asked Emily to ring up and offer five percent above askingon the condition that the lorries weren’t offered to anyone else.
When Susan turned up to finalise the deal, Richard was gobsmacked when she waltzed in.
Youre buying them? he stammered.
For the farm you left me, Susan replied, her voice steady. Its booming, and were expanding.
Richard was left speechless. While he stood there, watching his own life unravel, Susan had long moved on.
Best of all, Susan found real happiness with John, a kind-hearted mechanic who helped her bring the farm to another level. Together they celebrated their daughters christening, while Richard could do nothing but watch from afar as his world fell to pieces.
