**Diary Entry 21st March**
It never crossed Elaines mind to ask Stephen to move in with her. Dating was one thing; living together was entirely another. That Saturday, she waited for him as usual, expecting another stroll through the park. When she opened the door, her breath caughtthere he stood, two large suitcases at his feet.
Elaine sank into her armchair, scrolling through photos on her phone. There they were, feeding ducks in Hyde Park. Another of them hiking through the countryside, foraging for mushrooms. Six months had slipped by unnoticed.
Theyd met on a dating site. She was sixty-one, he sixty-three. Both divorced, children grown and living their own lives. Stephen had charmed her straight awaycultured, well-read, with a dry wit. He wasnt looking for a replacement mother or a housekeeper. Just companionship.
Twice, sometimes three times a week, they went outthe theatre, an art gallery, cafés, walks through London, weekends at her friends cottage in the Cotswolds. Elaine loved the ease of it, no obligations, just warmth between them.
“Elaine, tell me about your life,” Stephen had asked early on.
“Quiet. Peaceful. Ive lived alone five years now. Im used to it.”
“Dont you get lonely?”
“Sometimes. But Ive friends, my daughters visit. And now theres you.”
“Good to hear,” hed smiled.
After his divorce, Stephen rented a tiny flat in an ageing building. The landlord was difficultno repairs, yet the rent crept up relentlessly.
“Not much I can do,” hed sigh. “No property of my own. The ex got the househer parents bought it years ago. Good luck proving I paid for the renovations.”
“Ever thought of buying?”
“With what money?”
Elaine understood. Her three-bedroom in Kensington had taken a lifetimes work. Her daughters long gone, the space was hers alone.
Still, inviting Stephen to live with her? Unthinkable. Dating was fine. Co-habiting? A different beast entirely.
Then came that Saturday.
“Stephen, whats happened?” she asked, staring at the suitcases.
“Can I come in? Ill explain.”
He left the cases in the hall and sat on the sofa.
“The landlords selling. Gave me a week to clear out.”
“And now?”
“Nowhere to go. Cant find another flat that fast, and the moneys tight.”
Elaine saw where this was heading.
“Elaine, Ive been thinkingwere serious, arent we? Six months in, we know each other. Why not try living together?”
“Together?”
“Yes. Youve space. Im not freeloadingIll contribute, groceries, bills.”
“Stephen, weve never discussed this.”
“Why discuss it in advance? Lifes handed us the answer.”
She felt unmoored. This wasnt part of the plan.
“I need time.”
“Time for what? We love each other.”
“Loving and living together arent the same.”
“Why not? At our age, its time to commit.”
“Commit to what?”
“To us. If were dating, we should be together.”
Elaine glanced at the suitcases. Hed decided for her, packed his life, and now presented it as fact.
“And if I say no?”
“No to happiness?”
“No to someone turning up uninvited with luggage.”
“Dont be angry. I meant well. Circumstances forced my hand.”
“Circumstances dont force. People create them.”
“Whats that supposed to mean?”
“That you shouldve asked before hauling your things here.”
Stephen fell silent, weighing his words.
“Fine. Lets talk now. Im proposing we live together.”
“And Im refusing.”
“Why?”
“Because I like my space. I enjoy our time, but I dont want to share my home.”
“But why? We suit each other.”
“For outings, walks, weekends. Not for daily life.”
“Whats the difference?”
“The difference is routine. Habits, order, compromise.”
“So? Wed adapt.”
“Thats just it. I dont want to adapt. Im happy as I am.”
Stephen looked wounded.
“What if I proposed properly? Marriage?”
“What for?”
“To make it official. Respectable.”
“Stephen, marriage changes nothing. I still wouldnt want you here.”
“Then whats the point of us?”
“The same as before. We meet, we talk, we enjoy each other.”
“And then?”
“Then we keep doing it.”
“Thats not serious!”
“It is to me.”
“But I need stability.”
“What stability?”
“The usual kind. A home. Breakfast together, plans for the future.”
“And I dont want daily breakfasts. Or someone elses plans.”
“But youre alone!”
“Im not. Ive daughters, friends, you. Solitude and loneliness arent the same.”
“I dont see the difference.”
“The difference is choice. Right now, I choose who I see and when. Living together takes that away.”
“Elaine, at sixty, we should be thinking of wholl care for us in old age.”
“I am. Doesnt have to be a husband.”
“Who then?”
“Daughters. Carers. Social services. Options exist.”
“But its not the same!”
“Not to you. To me, its enough.”
Stephen paced the room.
“So youd have me keep renting, seeing you weekends?”
“Id have you live as you please. We meet when we both want to.”
“And if I cant afford rent?”
“Thats your problem, not mine.”
“Thats harsh.”
“Its honest. Your housing crisis isnt my responsibility.”
“But were together!”
“Dating. So? That doesnt make me accountable for your life.”
He sat back down, silent.
“If I find a flat will we keep seeing each other?”
“Of course. If we want to.”
“And until then could I stay here a while?”
“No.”
“At all?”
“At all.”
He understood then. She wouldnt bend. Taking his cases, he headed for the door.
“So Ill need a new home. And a new relationship.”
“Perhaps.”
“Elaine wont you regret this?”
“No.”
He left. No calls followed. Elaine returned to her quiet life, undisturbed. At sixty, she valued peace over romance, freedom over company.
Would you have done the same?
