He blurted out that hed foot the bulk of the wedding expenses, leaving me to pay for the whole honeymoon myself.
Six months ago my mate Poppy tied the knot. I was there for the ceremony and, a short while later, I learned shed already filed for divorce. Theyd seemed a pictureperfect pair, so something must have gone awry. I rang her on the weekend and we agreed to meet.
She turned up a touch late at our favourite café on the high street, panting like shed been sprinting. I teased her about the tardiness, but she looked drained. Something had clearly happened Poppy is usually a brilliant storyteller.
Poppy, Im not going to beat around the bush. Why are you getting a divorce? Did he cheat? Whats the story? I asked.
No, she said. He didnt cheat, he didnt hit me. Hes just plain greedy, thats why were ending it.
Greedy enough to split up? I pressed.
From day one he kept insisting we split every cost down the middle. At first I thought he only meant the wedding. Of course he couldnt cover it all, so I chipped in. Then he started demanding that I match his contribution exactly. My salary is three times his, and Id expected him to be a bit more generous now and then. Instead he began lecturing me on how to save a penny.
Every day wed sit down and tally up the previous days outgoings. He even asked to see the receipts! I thought it was about the wedding bills, but he was trying to tighten our finances. When we organised the wedding we paid for everything ourselves no help from our parents and the pressure only grew. He kept a meticulous notebook where I had to log every expense and justify it.
Did he ever ask you to submit a grocery request form? I asked.
Once he went off about a pair of shoes I bought without consulting him. He told me I must ask permission before buying anything pricey and then report the purchase back to him.
Why didnt you walk away sooner?
I dont know. The worst part was our botched honeymoon to Spain. Wed planned it before the wedding it was meant to be our honeymoon. Id saved for ages and even borrowed a bit from friends, counting on him to chip in as well. Then suddenly he announced hed covered the main wedding costs, so I was left to foot the entire trip. He accused me of being unable to save money. A couple of days ago he blurted out that hed go to Spain himself and would sort out the money for the trip. I was nearly knocked out by the shock. That evening he left with a suitcase, never looking back. I didnt even say goodbye. I started packing my own bags, and yesterday I filed for divorce.
Ive stood by my friend through it all. No one needs a man so driven by greed. Its a pity she didnt spot it before saying I do, but its far better to end things now than to endure years of misery. A bloke like that wouldnt spare his own children, either.
