**Diary Entry**
It never crossed Margarets mind to ask Steven to move in with her. Dating was one thingliving together, quite another. That Saturday, she was waiting for him as usual, expecting nothing more than a stroll through the park. But when she opened the door, her breath caughtthere he stood, two large suitcases beside him.
Margaret settled into her armchair, flicking through photos on her phone. There they were, feeding ducks in Hyde Park. Another of them walking through Kew Gardens. A third from their weekend foraging for mushrooms in the countryside. Six months had slipped by unnoticed.
Theyd met on a dating site. She was sixty-one, he sixty-threeboth divorced, grown children living their own lives. Steven had charmed her straight away: intelligent, well-read, with a dry wit. He wasnt looking for a mother for his kids or a housekeeper. Just companionship with someone interesting.
They saw each other two or three times a weeka play at the West End, an exhibition at the Tate, coffee dates, long walks through London, weekends at her friends cottage in the Cotswolds. Margaret liked the arrangement: closeness without obligation.
*”Tell me about your life,”* Steven had asked early on.
*”Quiet, peaceful. Ive lived alone five years nowIm used to it.”*
*”Dont you get lonely?”*
*”Sometimes. But I have friends, my daughters visit. And now theres you.”*
*”Thats nice to hear.”*
After his divorce, Steven had rented a small flat in an old building. He often complained about his landladyno repairs, yet the rent kept climbing.
*”Still, what can you do?”* hed say. *”No place of my own. Everything went to my exher parents bought the flat, and good luck proving I paid for the renovations.”*
*”Have you thought about buying something?”*
*”Where would I get that kind of money?”*
Margaret understood. She owned a three-bedroom in a nice part of Londonearned through decades of work. Her daughters had long since moved out, so space wasnt an issue.
But inviting Steven to live with her? Unthinkable. Dating was finecohabitation, a different matter entirely.
Then came that Saturday. She opened the door to find him with those suitcases.
*”Steven, whats happened?”*
*”Margaret, can I come in? Ill explain.”*
He left the luggage in the hall and sat on the sofa.
*”Landlords selling the flat. Gave me a week to clear out.”*
*”And now?”*
*”Nowhere to go. Cant find a place that fast, and moneys tight.”*
She saw where this was headed.
*”Margaret, weve been serious for half a year. We know each other. Why not try living together?”*
*”Together?”*
*”Youve got the space. Im not a freeloaderI work, Ill contribute.”*
*”Steven, weve never even discussed this.”*
*”Why plan it out? Lifes handed us the answer.”*
She felt uneasy. This wasnt what shed signed up for.
*”I need time to think.”*
*”Think about what? We love each other.”*
*”Love and living together arent the same.”*
*”Why not? At our age, we should be settling down.”*
*”Settling into what?”*
*”A proper relationship. If were dating, we should be together.”*
She glanced at the suitcases. Hed decided for her.
*”And if I say no?”*
*”To happiness?”*
*”To someone showing up uninvited with all their things.”*
*”Margaret, Im not being difficult. Circumstances forced my hand.”*
*”Circumstances dont force peoplechoices do.”*
*”Whats that supposed to mean?”*
*”You shouldve asked before packing your life into two suitcases.”*
He was quiet for a moment.
*”Fine. Lets talk now. Im asking to move in.”*
*”And Im refusing.”*
*”Why?”*
*”Because I like my space. I enjoy our time togetherbut I wont share my home.”*
*”Were a good match.”*
*”For dates, walks, weekends. Not for daily life.”*
*”Whats the difference?”*
*”Daily life means habits, compromisesevery single day.”*
*”So? Wed adjust.”*
*”Thats just it. I dont want to adjust. Im happy as I am.”*
He looked defeated.
*”What if I proposed properly? Marriage?”*
*”Why?”*
*”To do things right.”*
*”Marriage changes nothing. I still wont live with you.”*
*”Then whats the point?”*
*”The same as before. We meet, we talk, we enjoy each other.”*
*”And then what?”*
*”We keep meeting.”*
*”Thats not serious!”*
*”It is to me.”*
*”I need stability.”*
*”What kind?”*
*”A proper home. Shared breakfasts, plans for the future.”*
*”I dont want daily breakfasts with anyone. Or shared plans.”*
*”Youre alone!”*
*”No. I have my daughters, my friends, you. Solitude isnt loneliness.”*
*”I dont see the difference.”*
*”The difference is choice. Right now, I choose when and with whom I spend my time. Living together takes that away.”*
*”At sixty, we should be thinking of wholl care for us in old age.”*
*”I am. Doesnt have to be a husband.”*
*”Who then?”*
*”My daughters, a carer, social services. There are options.”*
*”Thats not the same!”*
*”Maybe not for you. It is for me.”*
He stood, pacing the room.
*”So youd have me keep renting while we meet on weekends?”*
*”Id have you live as you choose. Well meet when we both want to.”*
*”What if I cant afford rent?”*
*”Thats your problem, not mine.”*
*”Harsh, Margaret.”*
*”Honest. Im not responsible for your housing.”*
*”But were together!”*
*”We date. That doesnt make me accountable for your life.”*
He sat back down, silent.
*”If I find a place will we keep seeing each other?”*
*”If we both want to.”*
*”Can I stay here while I look?”*
*”No.”*
*”Not even temporarily?”*
*”Not at all.”*
He understood then. Picked up his suitcases and left.
*”So Ill need a new home and a new relationship.”*
*”Perhaps.”*
*”Will you regret this?”*
*”No.”*
He never called again. Margaret returned to her quiet life. At sixty, she valued peace over partnership, freedom over company.
As for meId have done the same. Some doors are better left unopened.
