‘I’m fine. I’ll have a top up though.’
‘Henry should be home soon.’
He remembered this. It was a few years ago. It had been a very hot summer. Henry had been playing tennis with Jack. Alice had come for lunch. He remembered it clearly because when he had come home, Alice, for some reason, had seemed off with him and had left almost immediately.
‘So, what does Henry think?’ Alice asked. ‘You are at some point going to tell me, aren’t you?’
Imogen lowered her eyes.
‘He doesn’t want me to take it.’
‘What!’ cried Alice, ‘you’re joking? It’s a fantastic opportunity.’
‘No, I’m not joking. I’ve been dreading telling you.’
Alice shook her head in disbelief.
‘But why for goodness’ sake?’
‘I know Alice. It’s just, well Henry likes to be the breadwinner and …’
‘Oh, for pity’s sake, doesn’t he know times have changed? We’ve not living in the 1950s. It’s not a man’s world any more.’
‘Now hang on,’ interrupted Henry. ‘I’m not here to defend myself.’
‘He’s happy for me to work part time but …’
‘He wants to keep you shackled to the kitchen sink you mean.’
‘No,’ said Henry hotly. Although he supposed that wasn’t far from the truth. He had wanted Imogen home when he got in from work.
‘Henry said a full-time job would change our lives dramatically.’
‘Yes, quite right,’ said Henry.
‘I thought you wanted it,’ said Alice petulantly.
‘Oh, I do, so much but … Henry can be difficult.’
Difficult, thought Henry. When have I been difficult?
‘I’ve been silly Alice,’ she said wearily falling into one of their garden chairs. ‘I’ve deceived Henry but only because I wanted to make him happy. He thinks I’m content working part time. That I never wanted a family and that a sparkling home is my dream too. Except I’m going mad Alice, because some days I just want to be me.’
‘Be you?’ said Henry confused. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You should take the job then Imogen,’ Alice said firmly.
‘It will come between us, don’t you see?’
‘You’ll just grow resentful, you realise that?’
‘I’ll be alright,’ Imogen smiled weakly.
‘I’m back,’ yelled a voice.
Henry turned to see himself walk through the kitchen and out onto the patio. I’ve gained weight thought Henry. Those tennis shorts don’t fit me any more.
‘Henry,’ said Alice acidly.
