I met a girl not long ago, and the first time I laid eyes on her, she was simply stunning. Wed often go out for walks together, take drives through the English countryside, stop at cosy cafés or catch films at the cinema. But honestly, that wasnt enough for me. I wanted to see her all the time, not just on dates. So, without waiting around, I asked her to marry me. Whats the point in delaying? We loved one another, were happy in each other’s company. Living together would mean getting to know each other even better. We got married.
But from the beginning, my mum didnt take to Sophie at all. She told Sophie as much to her face. Sophie refused outright to live with my mum, even though I wanted us all under one roof. We had a two-bedroom flatone room for us, one for my mum. But Sophie wouldnt hear of it. She insisted I move in with her at her shared accommodation. After the wedding, we did, just as she wanted.
I never imagined Id ever live in student halls, or in such conditions. First of all, I couldnt stand the shared bathrooms and communal toilets. I was embarrassed, I struggled to find any privacy, even in washing. And the cockroachesthey crawl everywhere. How anyone can put up with it, I dont know. Sophie shrugged it off. She said, Theyve never eaten anyone, its fine, youre making a fuss over nothing. Theres grime everywhere, and its impossible to keep them away. In the next room, a couple argue constantly.
On the other side, theres a family with a little girl who cries and screams all the time. She keeps not only her parents awake, but us too. Not long ago, I had a run-in with another neighbour. He got drunk in the middle of the night and started a fight; I tried to calm him down. Ever since that night, hes tried everything to drag me into drama, provoke me, make life difficult. I dont want to be here. Ive suggested to Sophie we rent a flat.
But she refuses. She says shes used to it here, that shes happy. If we had our own place, sure, but rent is sky-high. It seems Id have to spend every last pound of my salary on it. Mum suggested I move back in with her, promised she wouldnt interfere in our marriage. But Sophie wont even consider it.
Recently, Sophies begun talking about children. She thinks a baby would bring us closer together. Of course, I want a child, dream of being a dad. But every time I think about the conditions here, I change my mind. The constant squabbling, the shouting Sometimes I wonder about divorcenot because I dont love my wife, but because its no way to live.
I want my future child to grow up somewhere decent. I dont know how much longer I can stand this. Im at the end of my tether. Sophie wont compromise on anything.
