The Other Woman
Milly sat in her Vauxhall Astra, eyes glued to the satnav. The address was right there in bold, no mistaking it: shed come to precisely the place she needed. All that was left was to muster her nerves and do what she told herself shed do. Milly took a deep, dramatic breath and swung herself out from behind the wheel. She covered the last fifty metres on foot, stopping in front of a tiny coffee shop. Heavenly Brews, the sign read in curly gold letters. Well, thats a tad optimistic, Milly thought wryly. Heaven was the last thing on her mind. Shed soon be face-to-face with HER her husbands alleged paramour, the home-wrecker herself.
What did Milly actually know about this woman? Not a whole lot, to be honest. The so-called seductress went by Kitten, but obviously, that was just Millys husbands cutesy nickname for her. Our Kitten worked here, waitressing. Milly picked a table by the window: prime position for reconnaissance. She sat, every nerve buzzing, waiting for someone HER to take her order. And there she was. Milly recognised her from the photo shed seen the one staring up at her from her husbands phone. And now that girl was sashaying in her direction, apron and all. A few endless seconds later, Kitten was standing right before her.
Good morning! piped the waitress. Milly clocked the name badge: Katie. Well, wasnt that a surprise. Her husband really wasnt very imaginative, calling Katie Kitten. Meanwhile, Katie, oblivious to the storm of thoughts in her customers mind, rattled on, Can I get you a menu? Just call me over when youre ready.
Milly dazzled her with her brightest smile while mentally scrutinising her rival with all the judgement of a seasoned pathologist. How on earth had she ended up nose-to-nose with her husbands mistress? Well, thats a long story. Lets go back a bit.
For a decade, Milly had been happily (or so shed thought) married to Alex. They had a daughter, Emily, just turned eight, and Alex doted on her, spoiling her rotten. When Milly raised eyebrows at him after the arrival of yet another doll, Alex would just shrug helplessly, and Em would hug her dad like he was the best thing since sliced bread. Milly didnt mind (well, not much). As a therapist, she knew how important a fathers love was to a little girl.
Milly and Alex talked through their problems, so thered never been an epic argument or a major falling out. Everything about them screamed middle-class British family: a mortgaged two-bed in Reading, an ageing Astra, and a tiny garden shed in the Cotswolds for weekend getaways.
And then with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer through stained glass came the mistress.
Milly only discovered her by accident. Alex had been in the shower the other evening when his mobile started buzzing on the nightstand. He called out, Thatll be Dad! He said hed ring, can you answer it for me? Milly, always too polite to answer calls for Alex, grabbed the phoneonly to see not his dads name but Kitten, complete with a profile picture. Milly stared. There, in kilobyte colour, was a young woman draped over her husband, grin wider than the Thames. What on earth? The world did a pirouette. Should she answer? Speak to this woman? Before she could decide, the call blipped out.
Milly stepped away from the phone, recoiling as if scorched. Then a text flashed up: Alex, Im working 2-on-2-off starting Monday. Pop by Heavenly Brews at end of my shift? Need you to try my special coffee. Miss you, love you… with enough emojis to constitute emotional blackmail.
Milly flinched like shed touched something venomous. No ambiguous interpretations here Kitten in a clinch with her husband, a call, a message, the full works. How long had this been going on? Was Alex having a dalliance or something more? It didnt matter it hurt all the same. Milly needed time to think, without immediately lobbing Alexs belongings out the window.
He emerged from the bathroom, dripping and cheerful, asking if shed spoken to his dad. Milly mumbled that shed missed the call, then feigned a headache and announced she was off to Boots.
In reality, she found herself parked on a park bench, staring at squirrels. When, exactly, had things gone wrong? She was hardly one to pretend everything was alright while their matrimonial rowboat sprang a Titanic-sized leak. But nor was she one for shrill scenes. She prided herself on grown-up, logical chats difficult, yes, but necessary.
Her first instinct was to ask straight out about Kitten. But then shed have to confess shed read his message. No, she needed more… intel.
Then Milly remembered: she knew the cafés name, her work schedule, even her face from that photo. Maybe she should go and size up the opposition in person? Possibly even have a polite chat?
The next few days were a fever dream. Milly couldnt sleep, couldnt eat, and could barely focus at work. She fobbed off Emily and Alex by blaming it on a tricky client. Alex was suspicious. Emily was worried. Milly, on the other hand, was just haunted.
Eventually, she stiffened her upper lip and decided enough was enough. She had to meet Kitten. Otherwise, shed lose her mind.
***
Ill have a latte and whatever dessert you recommend, Milly managed, voice wobbly.
Well, our honeycomb cake is rather nice, Katie suggested.
Alright, Ill have that, thanks.
When Alexs mistress brought the order, Milly barely touched it. The coffee was lacklustre; the cake, passable. The café was nearly empty hardly surprising at eleven on a Tuesday morning. Milly had chosen her moment carefully. Ten minutes later, Katie reappeared.
You havent really touched your cake. Not to your taste? Can I bring something else?
No, no, the cakes fine. Milly sighed melodramatically. Just not much appetite. Ive got a lot on my mind.
Sorry, Ill leave you be.
Oh, dont run off, Katie, youre not in the way. Milly leaned in, conspiratorially. Im just trying to work out my next move finish the cake, or file for divorce. If you were me, which would you pick?
Katies eyes went wide as dinner plates. The woman at her table was clearly a few scones short of a picnic.
Erm thats not a choice I ever thought Id have to make
But if you did? Milly pressed on, grinning. Suppose you found out your husband was cheating.
Silent and unnerved, Katie stared. Milly switched topics.
How long have you worked here?
About a year, Katie replied, cautiously.
Student?
Yes. At the University of Creative Arts. Im on a creative course.
Interesting. Must make you good at imaginative thinking, then?
I suppose?
You reckon you could put yourself in someone elses shoes a wronged wife, or, you know, a mistress?
Now properly rattled, Katie just shifted her weight and avoided eye contact. Milly abruptly felt ridiculous. What was she hoping to achieve? Hair-pulling? A splash of tepid latte? Would that help? Not a chance. Milly winced. Could I have the bill, please.
By the time Katie returned, Milly was already gone, leaving a tenner and a generous tip behind.
Katie glanced after her outside and, for some reason, let out a sad sigh.
***
It was in that café Milly made her decision. She would celebrate her upcoming tenth wedding anniversary as planned why ruin Emilys day? Her daughter had been looking forward to the occasion for weeks, even making a massive cardboard sign. Milly would get through it, then after, have that chat with Alex.
So, on Saturday night, Milly, Alex, and Emily found themselves at their favourite family spot. Ten years together was that the tin anniversary? Or wooden? More like glass, Milly thought. One wrong move and itll shatter. But here I am, faking it for the crowd.
As dinner wound down, Alex winked at Emily, Can you have a party without cake?
Emily bounced in her seat, I want the biggest slice!
Alex waved someone over to bring the cake, and Milly, nearly numb, watched the spectacle play out. But then she saw the cake being carried in by Katie. The Kitten. The (alleged) other woman. Milly nearly choked on her tap water. No mistake: it was her.
Katie placed the celebratory cake, staying at the table. Alex beamed at her, then turned to Milly, Happy anniversary, darling! This is all for you.
An entertainer appeared and whisked a thrilled Emily away for games.
Milly was speechless. Alex filled the silence:
Oh, youve already met Katie, I hear!
Katie gave a polite nod.
Our love can survive anything! Thank you for being mine. Alex leaned in to kiss Milly. She recoiled.
What is going on? she managed at last.
Darling, it was a prank. Yes, probably a tasteless one but a joke nonetheless Alex spread his hands.
A joke? Milly was incredulous.
Yes. I hired a company that organises unique parties. For every couple they write a different script and cast actors. For us my affair. But you handled it all so calmly and wise beyond words. Im lucky, I really am! He made to hug her, but Milly stiffened.
So youre saying you dont have a mistress?
No, not at all, said Alex, delighted.
And Katies an actress?
Well, Im still in drama school, Katie piped up. This is just a café job, and the agency work too. You were very classy, Milly. Other wives chucked coffee, or swore at me you just left a tip and had a chat.
Milly stared, gobsmacked. Alex, you think this is funny? Appropriate? At all acceptable? Her voice rose, shaking.
Katie made to leave, but Milly stopped her with a gesture. Alex, never having seen Milly shout, blinked as his usually calm wife let loose.
Do you have any idea what you put me through? What made you think this was a good way to celebrate our anniversary?!
Alex tried explaining. Youre always so poised I dont know, I just thought we needed a bit of spice. Yes, it was daft. Im sorry.
Furious, Milly picked up the cake platter and smeared cake and icing straight across his face. Theres your spice, sweetheart. And filling. And everything!
Alex, spluttering, tried to scrape buttercream off his nose.
Have you gone mad?
No, darling, Milly crooned. Just thought Id liven things up a bit! She picked up her handbag and marched out.
Whats got into you? Alex called after her. I didnt even cheat on you!
Milly paused, turned, and said with relish, Better if you had!
She collected Emily, took her by the hand, and strode out into the evening. On the pavement, she breathed cool London air and quite unexpectedly laughed.
Mum, whats going on? Whats so funny?
Oh, nothing, love. Just remembered a joke.
Tell me?
I will. But first, we need to have a little chat. You see, we might have to live without Dad for a bit
Without Dad? Forever? Emilys eyes went huge.
I dont know, sweetheart. Time will tell. Will you stick with me? Emily nodded solemnly.
And off they went, down the street, into the evening light.
