The Reckoning
«Listen, Polly, I promised a colleague Id help them move house today,» said Oliver, shrugging into his jacket.
«Today?» Polly folded her arms. «Another colleague? Last Saturday it was drinks to ‘christen’ someones new car. All your mates seem to be doing brilliantlynew motors, big houses. Why is it just us stuck in this rut, Ollie? Why?»
«Dont start, love. I promise well have next weekend to ourselves.» He pulled her close, searching her eyes.
«Hard to believe. Every weekend, some unforeseen thing crops up.» She pushed him away lightly.
«Fine. Want me to call and cancel?» His brow darkened.
«No. You made a promisego.»
Oliver brightened instantly. «Polly, youre an absolute gem. SoIll be off?» He leaned in for a kiss, but she pressed a hand to his chest, holding him at bay.
«Just dont forget about next weekend,» she murmured.
***
Theyd all met at uniOliver, Polly, and Jack. As often happens, Jack fancied Polly, but Polly only had eyes for Oliver. They sat together in lectures, went to the cinema, the boys walked her home. One evening, Jack confessed his feelings.
«Sorry, Jack. Its Oliver I care about,» Polly said gently.
«Fair enough. Cant force these things,» Jack sighed.
He stopped sitting with them, stopped walking her home. If they met at the pub, hed leave early.
Oliver had a modest flat inherited from his grandad, where they all hung out. Polly visited but never stayed over, no matter how Oliver coaxed. Then, one New Years Eve, she did. Soon, they were living together.
Jack rarely visitedcouldnt bear seeing his rivals happiness, even if Oliver was his mate.
«So, whens the wedding?» Jack asked during their graduation drinks.
«Were fine as we are, right, Pol?» Oliver answered for them both.
Polly looked down, silent.
«Youre wrong,» Jack said abruptly. «Every girl dreams of a white wedding. Polly, ditch him. Marry me instead.»
Olivers gaze turned stormy.
«Actually,» he said tightly, pulling a ring from his pocket, «Ive been meaning to ask. Pollymarry me?»
Her face lit up. «Of course!» She didnt notice Jack slip away.
Two months later, Jack stood as their witness. «Polly, if he ever hurts you, tell me,» he said at the reception.
«And what about you?» Polly teased. «Whens your big day?»
«Hes waiting for us to divorce,» Oliver laughed. «Wont happen, mate.» His grin was triumphant.
«Enough,» Polly cut in. «Lets dance.» She tugged Oliver from the table.
Three months after the wedding, Jack arrived at Pollys birthday with a bouquet of crimson roses. When the guests left, Oliver fumedher delight over the flowers had been too obvious.
«Dont be daft. I love you,» Polly said.
«Hope so,» Oliver muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, mostlybut Olivers jealousy festered. He resented any man who glanced at Polly. He wanted her pregnant, at home. Polly, though, wanted to work, gain experience first.
Lately, Oliver had been oddvanishing weekends, restless when home.
«Jack,» Polly asked one day, «is there someone else?»
«Dont be sillyhe loves you,» Jack said, avoiding her eyes.
«Youre a terrible liar.»
***
Today, Oliver vanished again. Polly cleaned furiously. As she hung laundry, the doorbell rang. Not Oliverhe had a key. She opened it to Jack.
«You? Wheres Oliver?»
«Hes not here?» Jack stepped inside. «Tea?»
Silence stretched between them.
«Polly I still fancy you,» Jack blurted.
«Thought youd moved on.»
«Just wanted you to know.»
«Theres something else,» he said, staring into his cup. «Oliver thinks youre cheating. He asked me to test you.»
Pollys laugh was brittle. «And?»
«To flirt with you. See if youd bite. I refused at first, butyou know him. Better me than some stranger.»
«Youre joking.»
«Hes paranoid,» Jack admitted. «Probably guilty himself.»
Polly threw him out, seething. Olivers suspicion was poison. Well, turnabout was fair play.
At work, Polly befriended Evebold, unprincipled. Over coffee, she laid out her plan.
«You sure?» Eve smirked.
«Just a setup. Catch him off guardnothing more.»
Saturday came. Polly remembered a babysitting favor. «A colleagues dropping bywait for her, wont you?»
She shopped, phone off, guilt gnawing. Revenge was petty. She rushed back
The sight of Oliver and Eve tangled on the sofa froze her.
Eve sauntered out, unfazed.
«Polly, its not»
«Save it.»
Later, at her parents, Polly announced the divorce.
«Shouldve married properly first,» her mum clucked.
Her dad gruffly offered savings for a flat.
Rainy autumn turned to winter. New Years Eve found Polly aloneuntil Jack arrived with a tiny, glittering tree.
They drank champagne at midnight.
«Bet I know your wish,» Polly said.
«Same as yours,» Jack grinned.
A year later, they married. Nine months after thattwins.
Sometimes revenge clarifies everything.
