Emily sits at the kitchen table staring into the dark window. What does she hope to see? Andrew? It’s half-ten already and he’s still not back. If she smoked, she’d take a drag right now. Maybe she should try it sometime.
How long can she pretend nothing’s happening? Does he take her for a fool, expecting her to believe he’s working late? His job doesn’t involve burning the midnight oil. She’ll wait up and ask him properly.
Once, she took a taxi to his office, deciding to deliver dinner. Every window stood dark except the lobby’s dim security light. Emily pressed the buzzer repeatedly until a sleepy security guard appeared. He waved dismissively behind the thick glass door.
“My husband said he’s working. I’ve brought him food,” Emily shouted, lifting the bag containing her food container. Sound carried poorly through the glass.
“No one’s here! Against regulations. Leave or I’ll call the police,” the older guard yelled back.
“Hubby working late?” the taxi driver asked when Emily returned to the car.
“Yes. He said he was working,” Emily confirmed.
“They all say that,” the driver smirked.
Emily turned her head, giving him a look that wiped the grin off his face immediately.
“Sorry. Blokes don’t leave stunning women like you,” he said.
A dubious compliment, yet still pleasing.
Andrew arrived ten minutes after Emily returned. She didn’t question him then. She felt embarrassed about storming into the office. But the next day, Andrew came home thunder-faced and exploded.
“What were you playing at? Following me? Don’t trust me? Why did you turn up yesterday? Made me a laughingstock. The boss hauled me in and scolded me like a schoolboy for failing to manage my wife. Everyone in the department’s taking the mickey now. You set foot in that office again?”
“What was I meant to do? You’re back late every night. Are you cheating?”
“I will cheat if you don’t stop spying! I’m a grown man. Can’t I unwind with mates? Not some boy reporting my whereabouts…” Andrew shouted. “And don’t you dare phone anyone!”
Somehow, she ended up the guilty one. For a while though, he came home punctually. And now, back to this. “Living like this is unbearable. I still love him. I worry when he’s late. I’m tired of waiting. If he won’t explain why he’s delayed, he must be hiding something. Not knowing is worse than bitter truth…”
They used to love each other madly once, counting hours until reuniting. Andrew chased off every other lad. He carried her everywhere. Where did it all go? Only eleven years have passed…
“Why did I send Olly to Mum’s all summer? Andrew wouldn’t dare act like this with our son around. I’d feel less lonely too. But what’s he to do stuck indoors? Mum’s place has pine woods, fresh air, riverside walks, garden veg…”
Keys rattle in the door. Emily jumps from her stool, ready to run to him, but stops herself and sits back down.
Andrew sheds his coat, notices the light, and enters the kitchen. He stares at Emily like she’s a persistent housefly – irritating yet impossible to swat away.
“Late at work again? They owe you double pay for such dedication,” Emily holds his gaze directly.
***
Andrew scrutinizes his wife. “Still as gorgeous as ever. A bit fuller figure now – suits her actually. Just that spark’s gone from her eyes. All my mates envy me this wife. Yet I barely notice her beauty anymore. Feel none of that old pull. Though other women, even plain ones, excite me. I like men staring at her, but that’s it. Wonder if all blokes feel this way?
Bloody hell, she asked and expects another lie. Does she truly trust me and miss the clues? Or fear learning the truth? Perhaps I should spare her pain and confess? Confess what? The director hired a new assistant who rejects everyone. We lads even wagered who’d bag her. Then everyone lost interest. Except I got competitive…”
Andrew had others before her. A little interest, and they’d usually agree to bed him. Nature blessed him with height, build, charm, and handsome looks. He keeps toned with regular gym sessions. Little effort needed to win women. Got what he wanted, moved on. Chloe was different. So coolly distant for ages, holding him off. Pure principle required him to conquer her.
Once, her tyre blew moments after she’d driven away from the office car park. He happened to be right there. Pulled over, approached, offered aid. She didn’t play coy but agreed.
He changed the tyre, offered to take the damaged one for repair. Got filthy. Chloe invited him back to her nearby flat to clean up.
Her place proved cosy but tiny. While washing hands in her bathroom, he studied jars of creams and shampoos. Even sniffed a few. Returning, she’d brewed coffee.
Andrew fought the urge to embrace and kiss her. Didn’t rush things. Left, reluctantly. Knew restraint would win her favour faster.
And it did. For a week, he greeted her curtly and kept walking. She cracked first, calling his name and asking for help assembling shelves. Leaving that day, he kissed
He pushes the accelerator down harder, determined to reach Emily and Olly before sunrise, rehearsing his heartfelt apology and praying that honest words can mend the trust he shattered.