JUST IN CASE
I glanced over at Emily, who was quietly sobbing at her desk, turned my attention back to the computer, and began typing away rather briskly.
Youre a cold one, you are, Vera, came the voice of Olivia, our department head.
Me? Where did that come from?
Well, just because your love lifes all rosy, doesnt mean its the same for everyone else. Cant you see the girls in pieces? Would it hurt to show a bit of sympathy or maybe share some advice, since youre doing so well yourself?
Me, advice? For her? Doubt Hannah would fancy that. I did try, about five years back, when she used to come in looking like shed been caught in a midnight downpour. You werent here then. And no, it wasnt some bloke battering herHannahs just spectacularly unlucky. Used to fall over all the time, but funny, as soon as he did a runner, her bruises vanished. That was the third to run off.
I thought Id help out, offer a word or two from my own experience. Somehow, ended up painted the villain for even trying. Apparently, Hannahs the world expert on her own messes. I was just the nasty one, meddling in her happiness.
Back then she was chasing fortune tellers, love charms, all that nonsense. Now shes had a rebrandgoes to psychologists, talks trauma. Doesnt see shes just repeating herself, only the names change.
So no, excuse me if I dont bring tissues every time she wails.
Thats not the point, Vera, Olivia tutted.
At lunch, we all sat round the same table and, naturally, poor Hannah’s latest disaster was the only topic. I ate in silence, poured myself a coffee, and retreated to the corner to give my head a rest and scroll through my phone.
Vera! chirped Tanyathe chubby, ever-laughing one whose smile never failed, though today she looked uncharacteristically downcast. Really, you cant spare a little sympathy for Hannah?
Tanya, what do you all want from me?
Oh, leave her to it, chimed in Iris as she walked past. Always like that. Living the dream with her darling Billy, never had to figure out what it means to be left on your own with a kiddie and nothing but crumbs. And good luck getting a penny of child support out that useless lot.
No one made her have the baby, let alone by some faceless bloke, and, excuse me, girls, at her age! That was Mrs Taylorthe eldest of the group, whom everyone just called Granny Tilly behind her back. Veras right. How many tears has she shed already? Remember how he drove her up the wall when she was expecting, even before that Bah.
The women had formed a little huddle around Hannah as she carried on crying, firing off their own pearls of wisdom.
Youd expect the famously strong and independent Hannah to keep it together, but shed finally had enough of crying. Her mum was summoned up from the countryside to help with Hannahs boy and her latest unfortunate. Soon enough, Hannah was pulling herself togetherfringe restyled, eyebrows tattooed, lashes glued on, even wanted a nose ring, but the whole team talked her down.
Off she went again.
Its alright, Hannah love, the girls cheered, just you wait, hell be the one crying, hell be the one regretting it.
No, he wont, I muttered, maybe more to myself than anyone, but the slightly tipsy lot caught it and demanded an explanation.
He wont cry and he wont care. Tomorrow, or the day after, Hannah will find another just like him.
Easy for you, youve got Billyyou never know the misery of ending up alone like Hannah, someone protested.
My Billy? My Billys the best man on earthnever lays a hand, never goes out carousing, utterly devoted.
Come now, as ifmen are all the same, dogs the lot of them.
Watch out, Vera, someone might steal him from under your nose.
Never! He wouldnt.
Well dont be so sure, someone said.
Dont you worry.
Wine had gone to their heads and they started bickering like a bunch of alley cats.
Come on, let’s all pile round yours, Vera, one suggested suddenly, see if Billy can resist this lot. Bet you wouldnt dare invite us, scared someone might nab your precious Billy.
Oh, come then.
Girls, we are off to Veras, to test drive Billy! Granny Tilly laughed. Not me, my Michael needs his dinner Off you go, you lot.
Giggling like schoolgirls, the horde invaded my little flat, cackling in the kitchen.
Right, ladies, lets whip something up for Billyhes not in, but shall we have a nice spread for when he gets home?
Dont bother fussing, hes fussy as anything, eats like a sparrow. But youre right, hell be back soon.
By now, the girls had mostly sobered and remembered looming chores at home. Hugs all round, and soon only Hannah, Olivia, and Tanya remained as we sipped tea in my cosy kitchen, the three of them awkward and curious, waiting for this mysterious Billy.
Time to clear off, obviously.
Someones at the door.
Billy, Billy love, my darling boy! I called, stepping into the hallway. The girls immediately curled up, self-conscious, as a tall, handsome young man stepped in.
Then they cottoned onBilly was much younger than me.
Girls, meet Dennis, I smiled.
Dennis? What do you mean, Dennis? flashed in their eyes.
My son, Dennis. Hows Billy, love? Been good?
Yeah, Mum, he needs rest a bit longer. Give it another day or so and hell be up and about again, so long as you keep him from licking wherewell, you know
The women blushed crimson.
Um think well be off?
Wait, let me introduce you properly to Billyshhh, hes just had surgery. Dennis and my daughter-in-law took him to the vet, I was working Had to, after he started spraying everywhere. Come on in
There he was, curled up, my Billya rather spoiled tabby cat, fast asleep.
The ladies beat a retreatbarely holding in their laughter.
Vera, thats a cat!
Well, of course. What did you lot think?
Butthe husband?
Oh, there isnt one. You dreamed him up! I just once said I had a lovely man at homeBilly. Never got to finish my sentence before you lot decided he was my golden husband.
I married too young, really. First love, silly nonsensedropped out, had Dennis. Three hard years, then split up. My parents helped loads.
Second time round, closer to thirtylovely chap at first, so sure Id give him his perfect family. Had big plans for our future, only Dennis was, at best, an afterthought. Maybe stick him in military school, raise our own heir and princess.
I shipped the husband back to his mum. Huge scandal, his mother called me an idiot, said no one cares for other peoples kids. Funny, coming from herher own second marriage, shed raised her stepson well enough.
Long while, it was just Dennis and me. Third go, by then well aware I was far from anyones first choice, but as they say, third time lucky.
Then, once, during the early daysout of nowhereI ended up with a black eye, apparently from a fit of passion and jealousy. Good grief. Mind you, Dennis had been doing judo since he was six, and sometimes Id help him practice his moves at home so hed get strongerso I learned a thing or two. Gave my would-be Othello a proper toss myself and decided thats it, Im done.
Dennis got married, I was a bit lonely, so I got Billy. We get along fine.
If I fancy a film or a holiday, Ive got a companion who doesnt argue, doesnt nag, doesnt expect anything.
Sometimes I make a nice dinner and invite Dennis over. He leaves full and happy, no one giving him grief, no one owed anythingjust light and easy.
Dennis didnt get it at first. Asked why we dont just live together again.
Why? Were grownups. Everyones got their own habits by now. If youre together from the start, you grow into each other, like my brother and his wifethirty years and happily entwined, or like my parents. But for me, it didnt work out that way, so why pretend otherwise just to be able to flash a wedding ring?
No point. Me and Billy get on quite nicely, thank you.
Look at you, darling, wide awake already. I told you, keeping on with your antics would cost you!
The girls left deep in thoughtespecially Hannah.
But, well, Hannah couldnt do it Veras way. Within a month, she was swooning over a new beau, dazzling the office with fresh bouquets.
Mrs Taylor and I would just exchange a quiet grin.
Hows your Michael, by the way, Mrs Taylor? Is his paw better now?
Oh, hes fine, Vera love, mustve pricked it on something but healed as quick as you likelike a dog, bless him. Grandkids think I ought to show him at Crufts, but I wont put the poor thing through all that. Were both happy as we are. Seems Hannahs got her happily-ever-after at last.
Some of us get pets, some collect husbands, I joked. But perhaps this time, shell be lucky.
Would be nice
Whats the gossip then? piped up Hannah, catching us.
You, of course, Hannahjust praying things work out for you this time.
Girls, I know how I look, but I cant help it, truly. I hate being alone.
Thats your business, love, I said. No need to justify it, everyones got their own path.
Vera, I heard Hannah call as I headed to the car park, if you ever have a spare momentcould you give me some tips on cats? Should I get a tom or a queen?
Go on, off you popsomeones waiting for you! I laughed.
Just in case, you know
My lesson, scribbled here at the end of the day: People fixate on fitting inbeing married, being alone, being strong. Ive learned theres no single recipe for happiness; sometimes, the best you can do is mind your own, keep your peace, and be ready for whatever life throws your way. And on the really rough days, a cat on your lap works wonders.
