Robert and Chloe lived together for seven years. Never apart since secondary school. No children ever came. It just never happened. Robert’s beloved Nan insisted: “Marry properly, dears! Then God’s blessing will fall upon you. The Lord will grant heirs.” Robert’s Nan was his unquestioned authority. Soon after, he properly proposed to his long-time partner. They held a lavish wedding, exchanged rings, and had their passports stamped. Though during the celebration, a hitch occurred. When the newlyweds were handed champagne flutes, tradition demanded they drain them (for happiness without tears), then smash the empty glasses on the ground. Robert’s flute exploded into tiny shards, but Chloe’s merely rolled away without cracking. Guests began murmuring, whispering (loud enough for all to hear): “Oh, bad luck! Their marriage won’t last!” Robert and Chloe just laughed. “Rubbish!” And the party carried on. Once the wedding noise died down, the newlyweds settled into life. But… Chloe, having secured wife status, soon changed and started ruling. Everything was wrong. She nitpicked constantly. Then she declared outright: “We made a mistake getting married, Robert. We’re chalk and cheese. It’s better if we separate.”
…Robert blamed his mother-in-law entirely. She was his storybook fisherman’s demanding wife. Nothing was ever enough. Attention, money, space in her modest flat… And with her son-in-law living in “her life’s work,” the flat, she lectured and belittled him endlessly about earning a million, not scraping by on measly pounds. Robert endured his wife and mother-in-law’s attacks silently for a year. Then he heard: “Go.” He double-checked with his wife: “Chloe, is this your and your mum’s final decision?” “Yes! My mum has nothing to do with it!” Chloe snapped. Robert slowly gathered his things, hopeful glances thrown his wife’s way. Maybe she’d relent. But Chloe didn’t bat an eyelash. “Goodbye, wife. Sorry if I failed,” Robert sighed. “Goodbye!” Chloe slammed the door shut behind him. Robert left the family hearth. He didn’t grieve long. The young man was quickly embraced by another woman. He was a catch. Tall, fit, manly. This woman had fancied Robert forever. They were colleagues. When Eleanor (his new flame’s name) noticed Robert looking thoroughly downcast and lacking his usual humour, she suggested meeting outside work. Robert agreed. Just for something to do… Eleanor was free-spirited, lovely, with a spotless reputation. That evening, they strolled through a park, sipped coffee in a cosy café. Robert told Eleanor his whole story. She sympathised, gasped, soothed him as best she could. Then suddenly blurted: “Robert, haven’t you noticed how I look at you? How I notice every glance? I’ve loved you ages! Are you blind?” Robert had sensed Eleanor’s feelings. They saw each other daily at the office. Whenever Robert approached, Eleanor flushed or paled. Her voice vanished; her head spun. He noticed her as one would a lovely, fragrant flower, but no more. Eleanor was Chloe’s polar opposite. Calm, affectionate, easy-going. Robert liked it. But he’d been married! Kept himself in check. Now, kicked out, Robert thought: “Why not? Look not a gift horse in the mouth… Why pass up a treat?” …The next morning, Robert and Eleanor arrived at work together. Colleagues, spotting the pair, exchanged knowing looks. Eleanor got her man. Everyone knew she longed for Robert. But she’d never have crossed the line while he was married. Robert moved in with Eleanor. Eleanor, fluttering like a gorgeous butterfly, anticipated his every whim. She doted on him constantly. She felt earth couldn’t hold greater joy! Robert gladly accepted Eleanor’s care. He privately called her his Firefly, warming his soul with her light. …Eleanor introduced Robert to her parents. Her dad was a high-ranking official. Seeing his daughter head-over-heels for Robert, he decreed: “Alright then, live together. We’ll sort the wedding later. First, let’s see what fruit you bear, son-in-law.” Dad didn’t know Robert was married. Eleanor dared not tell him, knowing his temper… The young couple were delighted! They made plans. Even flew to Ibiza. Eleanor’s dad arranged and funded it. “Spare nothing for my girl! Let them enjoy themselves.” …Three months later, Chloe summoned her legal husband back. She told Robert she was expecting a child needing its father. Robert (with a heavy heart) returned to his wife. Eleanor let her beloved return to his wife but added: “Robert, I’ll wait. Always…” …Six months later, Chloe and Robert became parents to a girl, Beatrice. A week later, Eleanor rang. She asked Robert to collect her… from the maternity ward. Eleanor had a daughter. Louisa. Robert dashed to the hospital with flowers and questions for Eleanor. Eleanor’s dad met him, holding a huge basket of scarlet roses. Robert approached Eleanor, kissed her, handed over a small bouquet. Eleanor saw confusion and dread in Robert’s eyes. “This is our daughter, Robert. Congratulations!” exhausted Eleanor smiled. Robert stood dumbfounded, calculating mentally… Eleanor interrupted: “Don’t fret, Robert. Louisa and I won’t stand in your way.” Eleanor’s dad didn’t turn to acknowledge Robert. He stood like a statue of reproach. Robert began living a double life. Everyone found out. Chloe learned of Eleanor, Eleanor learned of Robert’s daughter (Beatrice). Both women suffered silently. Chloe blamed herself for kicking Robert out, leaving him unsupervised. Now she faced the consequences, tolerating her husband’s illegitimate child. Eleanor blamed herself for nothing. She had a child with her beloved man! What more? Pity Robert visited seldom, but thank heavens he remembered them! Robert had it rough too. He adored both daughters. They grew fast, soon asking awkward questions. “Daddy, why didn’t you sleep here last night?”, “Daddy, why don’t you smell of Mummy’s perfume?”, “Daddy, I’m Louisa, not Beatrice!” or vice versa… One day, visiting Eleanor and Louisa, Robert encountered her stern dad. “Eleanor, please go for a stroll. I need a word with Robert,” he stated firmly. Eleanor took Louisa’s hand, shutting the door behind them. “Right then, son-in-law? Plan to keep running back and forth ’til your pension? A ‘neither fish nor fowl’ son-in-law is useless! I’ll tell you this – stay with Eleanor, I’ll ensure you have everything. Stay forever in comfort. Choose to leave – leave for good! We’ll raise Louisa ourselves. Blood is thicker than water. We’ll never ask a penny. But forget seeing them again. You’re no great loss. I’d have kicked you out ages ago. But Eleanor loves you, and I love Eleanor. Solve this. Don’t dawdle,” Dad finished. Robert sought his Nan’s advice that same day. “Grandson! Listen. Pick one. Look at yourself. Gaunt, going grey! You’re barely forty! This won’
Robert chose Eleanor, divorced Chloe, and rushed to his love only to discover she was engaged to an ambassador and leaving for Algeria, but resiliently waiting alone for two years brought Eleanor back permanently, marrying Robert and building a happy family with their daughters under her father’s roof after he gifted them a London flat and jokingly scolded Robert for not producing a grandson—a mistake Robert vowed to correct with a smile.
Two Wings
