**Diary Entry**
*Tuesday, 12th March*
Youre not my wifewe never went to the registry office, did we?
What kind of wife am I to you? Did we sign papers? Exchange rings? Put a ring on my finger?
Emily lowered her gaze. Shed dreamed of all this, but the years passed, and life carried on without formalities.
No! No! And no! David barked. Youre nothing to me! What makes you think you can call yourself my wife?
David, please, talk to me! she pleaded, reaching for his hand.
Have you got anything useful to add? He pulled away. Youve already said enough!
But I didnt say anything wrong Emily mumbled.
Mark my wordssilence is golden! Especially for you! He turned pointedly towards the window.
Stop sulking, love, she said, moving closer.
Youd do better to keep your mouth shut! David threw his hands up. Where do you women learn the talent of ruining everything with one sentence? Is there a class on how to drive men to madness?
Emily assumed he was still upset about their morning row. David had smashed two mugshis and hers.
How could you? shed fumed. Most people have hands, but yours might as well be rakes! Smash yours, finebut why touch mine? Did you do it on purpose so I wouldnt have a favourite cup left?
Just a silly domestic spat. The sort of thing you brush off. But David had stormed off to work and returned in a foul mood, ignoring her all evening. He skipped dinner, even though she called him three times. It was time to make peace.
Oh, come on, well buy new mugs at Harrods on Saturday! As for your hands well, practice makes perfect!
What mugs? Davids eyes flashed. Do you even realise what youve done with your loose tongue?
I can apologise Emily faltered. Dont be angry.
Apologise? He let out a bitter laugh. If sorry could erase your words, Id be over the moon! But no, youve just finished me off!
Good Lord, what did I even say? It finally dawned on herthis wasnt about the mugs.
Who told my boss today that she was speaking to Davids wife? He trembled with fury.
You were in the shower, the phone rang she stammered. I answered, said to hold on. She asked who I was. So I said I was your wife. When I passed the phone, shed already hung up. Whats the crime in that?
Youre seriously asking? Davids face turned crimson, a vein throbbing at his temple. What wife? Did we sign papers? Exchange rings? Put a ring on my finger?
Emily swallowed. Shed dreamed of it, but
No! No! And no! he roared. Youre nothing! What gives you the right to call yourself my wife?
***
How longs this circus going to last? Margaret chuckled.
Mum Emily frowned. Times have changed. You of all people shouldnt judge. After Dad, you had your fair share of flings!
Dont lie about your mother! Margaret kept smiling. At my age, gossip doesnt stick. But youre youngthink of your future!
Mum, fifty-five isnt old! You could still get married!
If a decent man comes along, why not? She smoothed her silver strands. Till then, Ill make do with substitutes.
Oh, come off it! Emily snorted.
Then her mother turned serious.
Love, I get itthese days, people live together, have kids. But legally, its cohabitation. No guarantees.
If theres love, guarantees dont matter.
Love fadesemptiness remains. A proper husband means alimony, a share in assets. Without that, even court wont help!
David and I are happy! Six years together. Why bother with a certificate? We earn the same.
Not convincing! Margaret wagged a finger. At least hint at it! Call him hubby, joke about being wifey. Get him used to the idea. Thenwalk down the aisle!
What if I scare him off? Emily shook her head. Happiness is fragiledont tempt fate.
Your life, Margaret sighed. But rememberresponsibility is maturity. What youve got is just a mess.
***
Her mothers words lingered. Marriage was insurance. Her friend Sophie agreed:
Imagine you take out a mortgage. Its in Davids name. What if you split?
Pessimist!
Say he wants to gift the flat to his nephew. You wont have a leg to stand on! Court without a certificate is wasted effort.
Ill save receipts, find witnesses!
Or Sophie smirked, just sign the papers.
Mum said to tease him with hubby. Ease him into it.
Then get on with it!
***
Emily started calling David husband at every chance. At first, he laughed it off, but gradually, it stuck. She even believed ituntil she told his boss those fatal words: This is his wife.
***
Weve been together six years! Her voice shook. I thought we were family. Children, growing old together
You shouldve kept quiet! He paced furiously. Why drag Sarah into it? Now Im getting sacked!
But I always call you my husband!
Difference is, youve wrecked my career! David slammed his keys on the table. I wouldnt just skip the registryIm moving out!
Youre serious? She gaped. So I called myself your wife
Sarah kept me on because of personal interest. Now Im married, youre a thorn in her side!
***
A week later, Sarah herself rang the doorbell.
Sorry to intrude, she said, but I wanted to explain. Not about the sackingabout your years of lies. We all thought he was single
We never signed anything, Emily whispered.
Cohabitant, Sarah corrected. But now youre free. And you know Her lips twitched into a smile. Hes not worth it. Not a husband, not a partnerjust a twit with a capital T.
Emily nodded. There was nothing left to say.
