14March2025
Dear Diary,
Whats your problem with Sophie? Why on earth would you want a wife like that? Shes gone through giving birth, got soft around the edges and now waddles about like a balloon. You think shell ever slim down? Keep waiting, love itll only get worse.
I told myself I liked the way shes filled out now; she used to be as skinny as a stick, and now shes got real curves.
When I said that, I couldnt help but grin. My best mate, Tom, slapped me on the shoulder straight away.
Dont get carried away, James, he warned. Who cares what you fancy. Youll turn up at the New Years office party with her and youll be too ashamed to meet the lads. Youre a tall, broadshouldered bloke. A womans prime may be in her twenties, but us men? Were still eligible at any age!
I shook my head, but a little voice whispered that perhaps Id lingered too long in this marriage. I used to be a bit of a womaniser until Sophie turned me around calm, beautiful, kind, caring, and a cook who makes you forget the fork. Id put on about ten pounds since we married, and wed just welcomed a baby.
Tom roared with laughter. Youll have to swap wives as often as you change tyres! I divorced my girl and now Im seeing Emma young and spry. If anything goes wrong, Ill trade her in for someone else.
His words kept circling in my head. Maybe Id been complacent.
Sophie, youve uh, put on
I hadnt finished when she, clutching our newborn to her chest, widened her eyes.
And what of it? she snapped. Ive gained five pounds is that a tragedy? Im the one up at night with the baby, working from home, handling the bills, the utilities, the groceries, the cooking. And youre going to whine about a few kilos?
It felt like a pipe burst inside her. She was on the brink of tears, hurt that I didnt value any of her effort. If she left, Id be left alone with all those chores, drowning.
Why are you harping on the weight? I asked. I brought a whole human into the world, and youre obsessing over kilos!
She sniffed, stepped into the nursery with the baby, while I stayed planted in the armchair, wondering if a different wife would be quieter.
Each day Toms chatter grew louder in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself he was right. I wouldnt abandon my child Id help but having a fallback never hurt.
Look at Lucy from the accounts department, Tom said one afternoon, leaning over the low table. Shes single, fit, gorgeous she belongs in a painting! Next to her, Sophie doesnt even compare.
Lucy stood by the water cooler, glancing now and then. I hadnt noticed any fire in her eyes, but Tom swore he could read the room.
Youd get home to a woman like her waiting, heels on, lingerie, the whole lot, ready to please a man. And yours? Probably in a robe stained with baby spitup. Youre getting older soon itll be harder to find a girl.
Tom clapped me on the shoulder and went back to his desk, tossing a cheeky remark at Lucy. I felt a pang of envy; Tom always seemed to have a line for every woman, a phone number to brag about the next day.
I visited my mum later, hoping for support. Lillian, whod always backed me, wasnt having it this time.
You little wretch, she scolded, your wife gave you a child, she works, runs the house, shes a beauty and you turn up your nose? You men are all the same, always eyeing the next catch like wolves. One day youll end up old and alone, howling at the moon.
Her words flew right past my ears. I kept stealing glances at Lucy, convincing myself Tom might be onto something. Time marched on; Id never find someone that young again, no need for a crystal ball.
One night I sat opposite Sophie, rocking the baby after another sleepless shift. Dark circles under her eyes, her skin no longer as taut, her figure not what it once was. I realised I loved her, but the fear of missing out on other chances gnawed at me.
Sophie, I think we should part, I blurted. Youve changed since the birth. Ive had a lot of thoughts, maybe its time.
The words came out clumsy and vague. She stared at me, weary but not angry. She placed the baby in the cot, grabbed two suitcases, and walked towards the hallway. I watched her go, feeling a hollow dread.
I wanted to shout, to fall to my knees, to beg forgiveness, but the thought of looking foolish in front of Tom stopped me.
You know what, James? Sophie said over her shoulder. Maybe you should live on your own for a while without me, without our son. When you were in that accident, I nursed you for a year, worked, paid the bills, took out loans and cleared them. I never hinted at divorce, yet you throw me out over five pounds.
She left, her footsteps fading, and I stood there with a crushing sense of an irreversible mistake.
The next day at work I was a mess. Tom bounced around, congratulating me, grabbing my arm like schoolboys.
Right, thats that go chase Lucy. Shes a stunner, otherwise Ill steal her from you, he laughed.
I stared back, feeling the weight of my own stupidity.
Tom, Ive been an idiot, I said quietly. I had a wife any bloke would be jealous of, a son, a decent life. I dont need your young fling.
You sound like a henpecked husband, he retorted. A real man in your book is someone who ditches his wife and child? Or a man who cant keep his pants on and hops from girl to girl?
The argument escalated. I realised that if nothing changed, Tom and I would no longer be friends. A best friend like that turned into a foe.
Later that week I bought a massive bouquet, knelt in our flat, and begged Sophies forgiveness, admitting Id been swayed by Toms tall tales. She forgave me; we moved back in together and tried to rebuild. It seemed, finally, that I loved her more than ever. The kilos didnt matter, nor the tired look. I began helping more feeding the baby, nighttime soothing, laundry, cooking. Sophie even signed up for a gym.
Step by step, our relationship found its old rhythm. I promised myself never to be swayed by cheap advice again. The lesson is clear: always trust your own head and value the people who truly stand by you.
