‘Kinda happened?’
I stare at him in disgust.
‘You don’tjust happento meet someone else and throw away a twenty-nine-year marriage on Christmas Eve.’
‘I… I am sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I didn’t plan any of it. It all happened so fast, and the next thing I knew… Well, it doesn’t matter.’
‘It does matter to me. You can’t just spring this on me. Youknewwhat was happening. It’s such a shock. I never suspected a thing.’
Craig stands there, like some spare part from his garage. He just stares at me blankly as though he wants me to understand and let him off the hook.
I feel like I am going to be sick, and it dawns on me that eating two mince pies was a big mistake. Had I known I was about to get the shock of my life, I certainly wouldn’t have gone near them.
‘Look, I’m sorry. I can’t live a lie with you here. Someone brought her car to me at work, and it just went from there. To be truthful, I want to spend my Christmas with her.’
‘Someone comes in for an MOT, and you decide to run off with her on Christmas Eve? Is that what you’re trying to say?’
‘It wasn’t an MOT. It was a service, but anyway. I suppose it is, yes.’ Craig looks at his feet as though gazing at them will guard him from my wrath.
‘But what about the cruise we were going to book to celebrate our anniversary next year? I’ve even got the brochures from the cruise line.’
I don’t know why I am concerned about the cruise, that is the least of my worries. But I don’t know where to start with all the questions I have. I am in shock and can’t think straight. The silliest of things seem so important right now.
‘Well, that won’t be happening, obviously. Although, you could get a single cabin, I suppose. If you still want to go.’
I stand and stare at him. I am pretty sure my mouth is open, but I have no control over it. I try to speak but no words will come out. I begin to realise that anything I say is not going to make this conversation any different. His mind is made up.
‘I… but…’
‘Look, I’m sorry. You can keep the mill. You got us that mortgage anyhow. I don’t want anything, okay? It’s just one of those things. Sometimes, you realise your marriage is over, and Josephine made me realise that.’
‘Josephine,’ I repeat.
‘It doesn’t matter who she is. I think we both know our marriage hasn’t been plain sailing, and we’re not getting any younger. I’ll be fifty-two next month.’
‘So, it’s a mid-life crisis then. How old is thisJosephine?’
‘It really isn’t relevant, Olivia.’
‘Yes, it is. How old?’
‘Twenty-five.’ Craig looks down at his feet again.
‘Twenty-five.’ I repeat. If we had ever had children, Josephine could almost be our daughter’s age.
‘Wow.’ I just stare at Craig, not knowing what to say or do. I can’t even scream or cry. I just look at him in shock.
‘Right, well, I’ve got to go. The roads are starting to freeze over. I’m sorry, Olivia. It’s one of those things. We’ve run our course. But I have ordered you a new dishwasher. It should be here just after Boxing Day.’
Craig walks out, and the mill’s front door slams shut. I watch the Merry Christmas sign I had excitedly placed above the arched doorway as it swings back and forth like a pendulum from the force of the door.
As I hear the engine of his car start up, I desperately want him to feel some pain too. In my temper, I pick up the biggest present from under the Christmas tree and, without warning, wrench open the door and hurl the thoughtfully chosen remote control car towards the rear window of his prized saloon. He doesn’t stop. Instead, he puts his foot down faster as I stand there in a sorry state wearing my Christmas jumper as the ice bites at my shoeless feet.
I watch as Craig’s car turns into a small dot as he leaves me all alone, distraught and utterly devastated.
‘Merry bloody Christmas,’ I bellow out at the car as I watch it travel further and further away from me.
Chapter One
