Lizzie, stay at home. Do I really have to drag you everywhere just because were married? grumbled Andrew, admiring himself in the hallway mirror. Lizzie paid her husband no mind. She was getting ready to spend the weekend at a friends cottage. As any good hostess would, shed taken her preparations seriously. Yet today, nothing was going according to plan.
In the hallway, Lizzie caught sight of her husband dressed in a crisp summer shirt and was taken aback.
Andy, why are you so dressed up? Im not scrubbing out barbecue stains from that shirt, just so you know, she said, shaking her head. Grab the bags with the food, will you? I just need to change my dress, and then well be off.
Andrew eyed the hefty bags she offered him with disbelief. Whats all this? he asked, none too thrilled as he took them from her.
Were off to the cottage, arent we? And as much as I love Jane, her cooking is dreadful. So Ive brought everything: new potatoes, salads, a proper chicken pie If Tom wants to eat his wifes experiments, let him! Id rather not call an ambulance for you later. Sorry to be blunt.
Andrew frowned deeper. Lizzie, about today Why not stay in? Cook something healthy, or better yet, go for a run in the parkyou could use it after all that sitting at your desk. Im just popping round Johns for a few minutes. I wont be long.
Youre going alone? Lizzie asked, startled as her husband tutted.
I didnt want to say anythingyouve been buried in work, and we hardly talk. Anyway theyve split up. John wanted a change. He has someone new now. Honestly, I didnt want to go, but John insisted I help with the barbecue. No one does it quite like me.
With a smug smile, Andrew nudged the bags away. Lizzie was stunned by the news. Shed grown close to Jane, but lately, her focus had been her old flat from before she married Andrewher tenants had trashed the place and vanished, and selling it was on her mind.
Pulled between work, family, and everything else, she hadnt rung Jane in weeks. She never imagined the perfect couple would fall apart so abruptly.
So hes traded Jane in for some dolly bird? And thats why youre leaving me behind? Lizzie scoffed.
Oh, shes nothing special. Ordinary, like you, I suppose. Honestly, its best if you stay home, love. You and Jane will have time to dissect it all later, Andrew said with a dismissive grin.
Something inside Lizzie pushed her to goperhaps solidarity with her friend, maybe simple curiosity. Either way, she insisted Andrew take her with him.
******
Andrew was quiet for most of the drive out of London, grumbling about the traffic and incompetent drivers.
Lizzie texted her estate agent about listing her old flat.
Hows it going, then? Managing without me? Andrew probed, having been watching her messages.
What? Ohthe flat? Not great. Some want to move in before completion, and others demand new furniture and redecorating, which you know how it is
Money for repairs isnt a problem, Andrew replied.
Id rather use it for a seaside holiday. Maybe we could go?
You decideflat refurb or holiday, Lizzie! And I do have a job, you know. I cant just up sticks to the coast!
Lizzie told him Janes neighbour wanted the flat for her daughter and her husband, and she was ready to say yes. That idea annoyed Andrew.
You cant just let anyone move in! They wont pay up. Better to fix it and sell it for a tidy sum. Ill decide what we do with the money, he lectured. Honestly, I shouldve handled this myself, youre too soft. The first buyer will squeeze you, and well be lucky to get a penny for the place!
Ours? Lizzie echoed.
Ours. Were a family, all for one, Andrew said with a shrug.
When they arrived, John Atkinson ran out to greet them.
Oi, you two! What took so long? he said brightly.
The men shook hands; Lizzie climbed out, eyeing John with surprise. Formerly staid, he now sported a trendy tee tight over his beer gut and distressed skinny jeansnever something hed wear with Jane around.
Come on, Lizzie! Stop acting like a stranger! John swept her into a hug. Chuck those bagsyoure here to relax, not cook. My ladys ordered everything in from the restaurant, he said as he led her inside. The food bags were promptly forgotten in the boot.
The social area bustled with laughter. As she approached, Lizzie spotted Johns new flamea bubbly blonde, accompanied by her friend. Theyd just come from the pool, unselfconsciously giggling by the table. And just as Lizzie had feared: Jane had been swapped for a young glamour girl with obvious cosmetic touches and a mane of extensions. Lizzie, not a model herself, felt even drabber in comparison.
Andrew busied himself making a show of cooking the barbecue for the ladies, ignoring Lizzie. She took a seat on the bench, feeling invisible.
John, meanwhile, introduced everyone with unnecessary flair. Thats Lizzie, Andys wife. She freelancesa fancy way of saying unemployed! He sniggered rudely. And this is the love of my life, Angela. And her mate, Daisy.
He didnt introduce Andrew to the womena snub Lizzie noted.
Angelas a beauty therapist, John boasted.
Not just beautyyoud get a discount, for you, of course, Angela told Lizzie, flashing her a smile.
Lizzie squirmed, feeling dowdy next to the girls in their sarongs.
Andrew, meanwhile, rolled up his sleeves and preened as he cooked, leaving Lizzie alone.
Lizzie, come and chat! Daisys a hairdressercould give Andy a proper trim, none of that ancient short-back-and-sides, John joked.
Darling, dont be cruel! Andrews rather handsome; any stylist would be glad of him. Daisy already offered, Angela said.
Angela and Daisy soon sauntered off to the pool, inviting Lizzie to join. She declined stiffly. If youd rung me, John, Id never have come if Id known the new crowd. When Jane was about
Oh give over about her! Angela and Daisy arent being rudeyoure just being cold, John retorted.
Not rude? Angela basically called me ugly and offered me a discount! And Daisys after my husband! For your information, Andy gets free haircuts from our neighbour and loves it! Lizzie shot back, storming over to Andrew.
Andrew, still ogling Daisy and Angela splashing in the pool, turned as Lizzie arrived.
Andy, I want to go home, she declared.
Lizzie, what for? Were having a nice time, Andrew stammered.
No, were not! Its dreadful. Those plastic dolls arent my friends!
Andy, take your wife home! John called, retreating with the girls.
Andrew dragged Lizzie aside, grip firm on her arm. What was all that about? Youre turning into a social recluse! Go home, see the neighbours or your mum if you must. Ill get you a cab!
Lizzie flushed with anger, the girls laughter from the pool grating on her nerves.
Cant I relax in good company for once, instead of your constant griping? Were worn out with each other. Youre getting to be a boring, nagging old woman! Andrew snapped.
You want some young thing like John, is that it? Why didnt you tell me you already knew them?
Didnt want to! Yes, I met them at a café last week. So what? Andrew barked.
I see where this is goingdont bother coming home tonight, she said, dumping a cup of marinade on his perfect white shirt.
The shirt was ruined; Lizzie stormed out, heading for the one bus stop in the village, fuming. Now she understood why Andrew wanted her to stay home.
She rang Jane. Jane, its me, Lizzie
Dont call me, I dont want to hear from you or Andrew! Jane burst into tears.
Confused, Lizzie pressed. Jane revealed that Andrew had introduced John to his new lover, which led to her husband leaving. Lizzie listened in shockshe really had been out of the loop. By the calls end, the two women reconciled, but the bitterness lingered.
Lizzie realised her husband had been hiding his own secrets, and she couldnt simply look past it.
****
She grabbed a taxi, heading back to her mothers in a little village near the city. Her two sons were already spending their summer there.
Lizzies mum, Margaret, was surprised to see her arrive so late. Whats wrong, love?
Ive had enough. I want to enjoy the summer, and the boys and I havent been anywhere, Lizzie sighed.
Well, Andrews working. He cant just take time off, Margaret reasoned.
Why should that stop me? Why should we miss out because of his job? Lizzie retorted.
Margaret, traditional as ever, cautioned her about going on holiday without a husband.
Ill go anyway. Hes enjoying himself elsewhere, why cant I? Lizzie snapped.
They shared tea, and Lizzie confided about the disaster at Johns cottage.
He wants excitement! Hes prancing around cafés with that harpy, and the kids and I are stuck at home. Ill take the kids for a breakforget the flat renovation, Lizzie said.
Margaret was on her side, though she suggested not making drastic decisions for the kids sake.
The boys soon returned, shocked to see their mum.
Mum! What are you doing here? the youngest cried.
Ive come for you.
Back home? Nooo! both boys whined.
No, were off to Auntie Helens on the coast. Shes been asking for ages. Time to make it happen! Lizzie declared, hugging them close.
The drama at Johns had given Lizzie perspective. Her marriage had reached that unlucky rough patch. Between her home work, raising the boys, and keeping house, she hadnt seen how far she and Andrew had grown apart. She always deferred to him, never noticing how he made family decisions his own.
He lied today. Tomorrow, will he do a John and take my flat? she thought grimly.
She texted her neighbour that the flat would be let to her daughtermoney arrived next day. Out of spite, she realised, but it was the right thing to do.
****
After their fun barbecue, Andrew stayed at his mothers for a few nights, fuming about the stained shirt and Lizzies meltdown. Ruined the evening, she did! he muttered, scrubbing marinade off his shirt.
Three days later, he returned to their flatrooms empty, fridge bare, cupboards cleared. He rang and rang before his eldest answered.
Mums not here, Dad.
Where are you, son? At Grans?
No, were at Auntie Helens by the sea. Mums swimming. Dont know when well be back. Mum says shes on holiday from work. Gotta go, Dad! the boy cheered before hanging up.
Great Andrew grumbled.
****
The week by the sea flashed by. Lizzie and the boys came home refreshed, only to find Andrew sullen and sour. His annoyance was not just that theyd ignored him and spent the savings. There was something else he couldnt forgive.
Lizzie ignored him, heading straight to unpack in the bedroom. The boys munched on pasties Grandma had sent with Andrew.
He followed her in.
Anything you want to say to me? he asked sharply.
About what? she replied breezily, which only irked him more.
We saved for the flat and you blew it on the beach!
My flat. You only chipped in five grand, while I put in fifty. So
Dont you turn away! Im not some schoolboy for you to hiss at. What about the flatyou planning to explain?
Ive let it to Rosies daughter, as I said.
Lizzie finally looked at him. Hed lost weight and looked exhaustedready to have a go for not consulting him.
You shouldve sold it, not let it! The money shouldve been for the refurbyou running off to the coast was one thing, but this is too much!
Oh, so now I must drag you everywhere just because were married? she answered, echoing his own words from earlier.
And I dont have to justify myself to you. You dont run every little thing by me. Its my flat, Ill do what I like!
Well split it evenlythat flats half mine! Andrew insisted, straining to stay calm.
Except the flatmine before marriage. Ill flog it after the divorce, thank you.
Divorce? Youre mental! Weve two kids, dont be daft! he shouted.
You suddenly care about the kids, do you? Ive got plenty of reasonssneaking off with other women, never thinking of us, and trying to control me! Get Daisy to cook for you; Im done. I want change toojust like John! Lizzie shot back, and promptly filed for divorce.
Still, life had to go on until then.
The first thing Lizzie did was send the boys to her mums and stop cooking for Andrew. Difficult, as she liked to cook, but now it was a statement. No more feeding a cheating freeloader, she told herself. She started dietingjust as Andrew had helpfully suggested.
He quickly discovered the fridge remained empty and grumbled about eating outcostly for a skinflint like him.
Andrew sulked for days, sleeping tucked on the balcony on an old camp mattress until a cold snap and endless rain sent him packing back to his mum. She wasnt thrilled to have him back, especially over a domestic spat she didnt quite grasp. He blamed everything on Lizzie, telling his mother shed run off to the seaside and he wanted no more of it.
Lizzie found it quite amusing to watch her soon-to-be ex stomp about, red with frustration whenever they crossed paths.
After a fortnight, Andrew called Daisy, hoping now that he was, practically speaking, a free man, things might spark between them. Yet, Daisy was having none of it.
We had a bit of fun, thats enough, Daisy replied cheerfully.
She well remembered the stingy married man who hadnt even sent flowers in two weeks.
Oh, come on, Daisylet me take you out! Last time was a rush. I never got my proper goodbyeor that free haircut?
No, the plans changed. I might ring you if theres time. Although, arent you used to your neighbours trims? She hung up, unfazed.
Andrew tried to protest, but it was final. Daisy never called him again, and Lizzies earlier words had put her off for good.
The end.
