The Journey to Happiness: A New Beginning for Two Lovers
Margaret travelled to her beloved husband, or rather, she flew on the wings of joy. At last, her son had finished school and been accepted into university. Now, she and her husband could finally live together after so many years of waiting.
The very day she sent her son off to his studies, she bought a bus ticket and set off for John. Their marriage had lasted only two years, yet they had known each other as if it had been an eternity.
Their love had not been easy. It had begun with difficulty, weathered many storms, but fate had promised them a future togetheror so Margaret had believed.
They had met eight years prior. Back then, she had just healed from her divorce with her first husband and had kept everyone at arm’s lengthuntil she met John. Even with him, she had been hesitant at first. He had to work hard to convince her he was nothing like her former husband, William.
For six months they courted, then decided to live together. John had moved in with her, as his tiny flat would have been too cramped for the whole family. Margaret had a son, ten years old at the timea well-behaved boy, though he had not immediately warmed to his stepfather.
After three years of living together, John began speaking of marriage, but Margaret was not at all eager.
She saw no need for such formalities. Besides, papers did little to guard against betrayal, whether one was a man or a woman.
She had been content as things were, unwilling to change.
At first, John had accepted her view, but in time he realised it was not enough. He wanted Margaret as his wife in every sense. Eventually, he gave her an ultimatum: either they married, or they parted ways.
Margaret had disliked his insistence and decided it was better to separate. And so they had, for half a year.
During that time, John had moved to another town, where a friend had offered him a well-paying job. He returned home rarely, only once every two months to visit his parents. And on one such visit, he saw Margaret again.
She was strolling through the park, and life seemed to be treating her welluntil her eyes met his.
In her gaze, he read exactly what he felt in his own heart. She still loved him. And she could not hide it.
They rekindled their love, though now at a distance. Sometimes she visited him, other times he came to her. Every meeting was carefully planned, yet each was filled with warmth and passion.
They saw each other once a month, sometimes twice. John had often asked her to move in with him. He had managed to buy a two-bedroom flat in his new town, though he was still paying off the mortgage.
Margaret would have loved nothing more, but she could not uproot her life so suddenly. Her son was a teenager and needed her. And her mother had been ill, requiring care. For over two years, Margaret had worked to nurse her back to health, and at last, her mother had improved.
“You’ve got years left in you yet!” the doctor had said cheerfully upon discharging her.
Though Martha no longer kept her daughter close, Margaret’s son, James, had begun his GCSEs. He did not want to change schools and had begged his mother to wait until he finished. A compromise had been necessary.
The summer before James began his A-levels, Margaret and John had finally married. Seeing the joy it brought him, she had regretted not agreeing soonerbut what use was there in dwelling on the past?
Now, they did more than just meet. Their relationship could have been called a weekend marriage, were it not for the hundreds of miles between them.
And now, James had been accepted into university. Margaret was proud of her sonand she realised she could finally arrange her own life. She had not told John she was moving in with him, wanting to surprise him.
He had suspected it might happen, but he did not know the exact day.
Margaret packed her suitcase, boarded the bus, and set off for him. She wanted this day to be etched in his memory forever. Already, she could picture herself in lace lingerie, scattering rose petals on the freshly made bed, preparing a delicious dinner, waiting for her beloved to return from work.
She had dreamed of all these details as the bus carried her onward. She was certain John would be delighted by her surprisebut instead, the surprise awaited her.
She opened the door to his flat with her keyand froze in shock. A pair of blue eyes stared back at hera red-haired woman, very beautiful and young.
“Who are you?” Margaret asked the stranger.
“I’m Violet. Oh, you must be Margaret. I’m sorry, I’ll leave at once!”
“Leave? What do you mean? Who are you?” Margaret’s temper flared.
“Please, don’t be angry. I’m your husband’s girlfriend!”
“What? His girlfriend?”
Margaret closed the door quietly, leaving behind all she had believed was hers, determined to carve a new pathalone.
