Youre getting ancient, Im embarrassed to bring you to my partners, so I got myself a lover! declared the husband.
Lately, Paula had been swamped. Shed opened a bespoke tailoring shop in Manchester, spending every spare minute on the venture, hoping to get it off the ground and earn a place in the sun. Then she remembered the charity dinner her husband had mentioned in passing, and the thought snapped her out of her reverie.
Simon said she didnt have to attend, insisting he understood her hectic schedule and would go alone, but it didnt feel right to treat the family so flippantly. When Paula called the event manager, she explained she couldnt make it that evening she had work to finish and needed to look the part.
She drew herself a bath with aromatic oils, determined to unwind properly. As the citrus and pine scents filled the room, she closed her eyes. The phone, propped on the edge of the tub, rang. She rinsed the foam from her hand, grabbed a towel, and answered.
Emily, love, youre studying abroad, arent you? I miss you like crazy. I cant wait to hug you proper. Youll always be my little one, no matter how grownup you get, she said.
Hey Mum! Congrats on the shop! Youre brilliant. Does Dad brag about you? I was stunned when you sent me that link. How on earth do you manage everything? And you still help Dad, too, Emily replied.
It wasnt meant to be a spoiler, but the works already rolling in. I love it Ive always wanted to try something fresh. Honestly, the family business Dad and I ran together always felt suffocating. I dreamed of a space where I could be creative, and now its finally happening, Paula said.
After a brief chat about the weather, Emily rushed off to university. She was on an exchange and would be home in six months. Paula smiled, feeling lucky to have such a supportive family. The thought kept her buoyant until she pulled up outside the restaurant hosting the charity dinner.
Sorry, maam, we cant let you in without an invitation, the doorman insisted.
Then fetch my husband. He has a twoperson invite, she retorted.
Whats your husbands surname? the guard asked.
Paula rolled her eyes. The arrogance was a new low. Simon Benson. Check the list.
The guard glanced at the list, exchanged a look with his colleague, and chuckled. Youre mistaken, madam. Simon Benson has already entered with his wife.
Entered with his wife? Paula echoed, baffled.
Yes, his name is marked as having arrived with his spouse. So you cant pull a fast one and get in. This is a private event, and if youre a journalist who wasnt invited
David? Whats going on? a smooth, velvety voice called from behind.
Paula turned and froze it was her old schoolmate David, whom she hadnt seen since they both graduated. The security guards were clearly confused; they thought Simon had already arrived with his wife, so they were turning Paula away.
David! I didnt expect to see you here, she exclaimed. The guards think my husbands already in, so they wont let me in.
David gave a warm smile, nodded at the guards, and said, Shes with me.
Paula didnt know how to thank him. Shed planned a surprise for Simon, not a rescue mission. She wondered whether Simon, like David, had also managed to slip through with a guest. She hadnt spoken to David in years; back then he was the boy who constantly got sent to the headteacher for his antics. Could he now be a headteacher himself?
Hows life treating you? I hear youve married well your husbands a regular at places like this? David asked, still grinning.
We built everything together from the ground up, Paula replied. Now I run my own studio. If you ever need a custom suit, give me a shout. She handed him a business card.
Inside the hall, Paula scanned the crowd for Simon. And you? Did you manage to outshine the teachers and land a decent gig?
Who cares about the teachers? Grades dont dictate destiny, David said modestly. You havent changed a bit still the stunning girl I remember. Its lovely to bump into you.
Back in school, David had once tried to ask Paula out, but shed been too careerfocused to consider romance. Shed thrown herself into her studies, barely keeping in touch with anyone from her past. Now, seeing him again felt oddly comforting.
When Paula finally spotted Simon, she thanked David again and hurried over. Simon, beaming, said, My wife is my muse, which made Paulas heart flutter. That feeling lasted until Simon slipped his arm around a striking young woman and planted a cheeky kiss. Darling, would you like a drink?
Paula stared, halffrozen. Polly? Whos this? she thought. Hes introduced a whole new woman as his wife?
Im not opposed, she replied, standing a few metres away from the flirtatious duo.
Simon turned, eyes wide with panic. He cleared his throat, apologized to his companions, and shuffled toward Paula. The newcomer, a glamorous twentysomething in heels, followed him, chattering away.
What are you doing here? Simon whispered to Paula.
I came to support my husband. You said this event was important, Paula answered calmly, eyeing the woman. Got nothing to explain?
You shouldnt be here! Simon snapped, then glanced at his guest. Polly, off you go, grab a bite. Ill be back. He roughly hauled Paula toward the garden exit.
Outside, with no one around, he glared. You could have ruined everything. I didnt invite you.
Because you brought someone else? Paula shot back.
Simon sneered, Youre old, Paula! Im ashamed to show you to my partners, so I got a lover. In our circles a wife should sparkle, not look like a tired nag. You do the job, though.
Paula felt a wave of disappointment. Shes lovely, but she doesnt have to worry about annual reports or where to pour the money to stay afloat. Smart choice, Mr. Benson.
Simon merely shook his head. Twenty years together, and you think youre the only one? Its normal. It wont affect our future. Just go home; well talk later.
There was nothing left to discuss. Paula decided she wouldnt cling to a pictureperfect marriage just because thats what everyone else did. Shed built a thriving business, and shed claim her rightful share of it. Simon could stew in his own mess.
Simon left, and Paula sat on a bench under the dim streetlamp, trying to digest the evenings revelations. David settled beside her, quiet but present. He didnt pry; his calm simply eased her mind. They reminisced about school pranks, and Paula laughed, letting go of the tension. For a moment she felt like that carefree teenager again.
I dreamed of growing up, now I just want to go back to school, she sighed.
Its clear what you need. If you ever want a lift home, just say the word, David offered.
Though Davids life was different, he could see the truth: the partners wouldnt speak openly about what they thought, but they all kept smiling, playing their parts.
Is your wife okay with this? David asked.
Im a single man, David replied. Never really settled down.
He didnt tell Paula that she lingered in his thoughts, but he was glad to be there now. Paula had no interest in his cars price or his job; money never drove her. She wanted a career and a home, and shed earned both herself. Even when Emily was born, Paula stayed up late sorting accounts and helping Simon. Shed been his inspiration, feeding the business ideas, until she finally burned out.
After saying goodbye to David at her doorstep, Paula entered the building that once felt like home but now seemed foreign. She decided her daughter was old enough to handle whatever news came later, so she kept the divorce plans to herself for now. Simon had never wanted a split.
Youre perfect as a wife, but the business needs a pretty face, and Im the one supplying it, Simon had said once.
You think money falls from the sky? Paula had retorted.
Think of Emily. Shell need stability. A divorce would hit her hardest. Simon tried to guilttrip her.
Its too late for you to think about Emily, Paula replied, tone detached.
They slept in separate rooms. The next morning Paula moved into a flat above her studio, refusing to share a roof with a cheating husband. Simon balked at the divorce, but he too was exhausted, juggling a faltering business that had always leaned on Paulas talent.
Negotiations stalled, so they hired solicitors and split the assets. Initially Paula wanted the house and left the business to Simon; in the end she walked away with everything the business had earned, because most of its success was hers. The court, despite Simons attempts to bribe the judge, divided everything fairly.
Simon called Emily, hoping shed persuade her mother to stay, but Emily sided with Paula, even refusing to visit her father. She helped with the studio and cut ties with Simon, unable to forgive his infidelity.
Paulas life gradually settled. Letting go of twenty years wasnt easy, but she pressed on, leaning on her work and her daughter. Simons business suffered without her, despite his attempts to win her back with apologies; trust, once shattered, doesnt simply mend.
The studios reputation grew; orders piled up, and Paula considered expanding. One day the phone rang.
Its David. You gave me your card in case I needed a suit
Hey, Dim, were swamped, but well make an exception for you, Paula laughed.
Actually, I just called to see if youd like coffee sometime, David said.
Paula chuckled and agreed, thinking perhaps this was a fresh start. Shed learned to love herself first, not waiting for anyone else to fill the gaps. Time flies, but theres no need to resign yourself to a lonely old age. Her heart told her she wasnt wrong, and perhaps she and David had a chance at happiness after all.
