She Couldnt Wait
“I’m filing for a divorce,” Julia remarked in an unusually calm voice, handing her husband a mug of tea. “Actually, it’s already done.”
She said it as if she were mentioning something entirely ordinarysomething like, “We’re having roast chicken with veg for supper.”
“May I ask, in what world Well, never mind, not in front of the children,” Bernard muttered, lowering his tone when he caught the worried glances from their boys. “What is it I’ve done so wrong? And I won’t even mention children need their dad.”
Julia offered a dramatic roll of her eyes, a smirk curling her lips. “You think I can’t find them another father? What haven’t you done wrong? I dreamt life with you would be as peaceful as a still pond, not like a blustering river.”
“Alright, lads, finished your food?” Bernard didnt want this conversation unfolding in front of their sons. “Off you goplay, but no eavesdropping!” he called as they scampered away, knowing their curious nature well. “Right, now let’s have this out.”
Julia tightened her mouth in silent disapproval. Even now, he liked to give orders! Father of the Year pretences
“I’m tired of this life. I don’t want to spend eight hours daily at work, exchanging pleasantries with colleagues, and pandering to clients. I want to sleep in, to stroll around posh boutiques and book salons. And you cant provide that for me. Enough. Ten yearsthe best years of my lifeI gave to you”
“Could we skip the melodramatics?” Bernard interrupted, his tone clipped. “Werent you the one who bent over backwards to marry me, all those years ago? I certainly wasn’t desperate for wedding bells.”
“Mistakes happen to all of us,” Julia replied coolly.
The divorce came about swiftly, quietly. Bernard, though with some reluctance, agreed the boys would stay with their mother, with the condition theyd spend every weekend and the school holidays with him. Julia found this arrangement convenient and readily accepted.
Half a year passed before Bernard introduced the boys to his new wife. Cheerful, lively Daisy quickly won the hearts of both boys; they came to look forward to weekends at Bernards, which infuriated their mother.
All the more it stung Julia that Bernard had recently come into an inheritance from some distant uncle, bought himself a grand countryside house, and now seemed to live it up. He hadnt given up work, still paid modest child supportbut preferred to clothe and equip the boys out of his own pocket, even keeping a close eye on the child support spending!
Why hadnt she waited just six more months? If only shed known what was coming Shed have played her hand so differently.
But perhaps, Julia thought, maybe not all was lost?
***
“Shall we have a cuppa? For old times sake?” Julia fluttered her lashes, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. Her short dress displayed every asset to advantage; clever makeup erased several yearsshe had gone all out, appearing utterly dazzling.
“I havent the time,” Bernard replied, his gaze passing through her as if she werent there. “Are the boys ready?”
“They’re hunting for something or other, probably be ten more minutes, I know how they are.” Julias disappointment was palpable, and she pressed on. “Perhaps we could see in the New Year together? Oliver and Henry spent half the afternoon decorating the tree”
“We agreed in courtthe holidays are mine. Well be celebrating in a charming little village, loads of snow, skiing or snowboarding. Daisys sorted it all.”
“But its a family holiday”
“Which is why were spending it togetheras a family. Push me, and Ill see to full custody myself.”
The front door closed behind her former husband and their giddy sons. In a fit of rage, Julia smashed the expensive crockery set gifted at their wedding. Daisyalways Daisy! Why did she always seem so criminally happy to see the boys? No doubt she was counting the days until they returned. If anyone knew what fiends Oliver and Henry could be, it was Julia.
A thought gleamed in her mind. Maybe there was something yet to gain. Surely, soon enough, all of Bernards money would be hers to command again
***
“And whats this?” Bernard arched an eyebrow at the sight of overstuffed suitcases piled in the hallway.
“What do you think? Olivers and Henrys things,” Julia nudged a bulging suitcase, sending it off balance. “Since youve sorted your personal life so charmingly, its time for me to do the same. You must knowmen arent queuing up to raise someone elses children, so the boys will be living with you now. Ive already told Social Services, just needs legal tidying up now. Thats your partIm off on holiday with a rather promising gentleman.”
She swept past the stunned Bernard out to the waiting car. She wondered exactly how long that saintly Daisys patience would last. A week? Two? Surely not three. When forced to choose, Bernard would pick his sons over his new wife. And then hed come crawling back. With all his money.
Two weeks passed. A month. Two. Yet not a single call demanding she take the boys back. From their phone chats, it seemed Daisy hadnt even once raised her voice at them! How on earth? Had her little mischief-makers suddenly morphed into angels? Impossible.
So, how are the boys? Had enough of them yet? Julia couldn’t stand it any longer and phoned Bernard herself.
“Theyre wonderful, no trouble, well-behaved, helpful,” Bernards voice warmed at the mention of his sons. “Proper little gents.”
“Really?” Julias disbelief was obvious. “With me, they were always up to something
Thats because children need attention,” Bernard sniffed dismissively. “And you were always glued to your phone. By the way, letting you knowwere moving. If youd like, Ill bring the boys to see you in the hols.”
“Buttheyre my sons too!”
“You handed everything over to me yourself,” Bernard laughed good-naturedly. “Some mother you are.”
Julia was left gnawing her own regrets. She never got her husband backnor his fortuneand her new romance fizzled out. Now, even her boys would be off, unlikely to be missed much, as shed grown quite fond of dedicating every free moment solely to herself.
What an injustice. Ten years waiting, just to lose out half a year before a secure life.
Unfair So unfair.
