Were Not Strangers, After All
Mum, Dads ringing againfor you, Stefan said, holding out the phone to Milly.
Alexandra, who sat opposite Milly at the kitchen table, made a strange noise and quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, doing her best impression of a coughing fit. Milly slowly turned her head, fixing her friend with a look sharp enough to set paint drying, and Alexandra immediately gazed up at the ceiling like an innocent bystander who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Lets have it, then, Milly reached out, and Stefan, clearly relieved, placed the phone in her hand and shot off into the hallway. Little traitor!
But her son had already disappeared into his room, and as she raised the phone to her ear, her ex-husbands indignant voice burst out.
Stefan! Why arent you answering? Ive called you three times already! Is this any way to treat your father?
Lovely to hear from you too, Graham, Milly replied in a honeyed tone so saccharine that Alexandra nearly choked for real. What is it? Our sons busy at the minute. Tell me and Ill pass it on.
Milly shot her friend a mock glare, but Alexandra just wiped away tears of laughter, waving her hands in front of her face.
Its you I need to speak to! Grahams voice rose. Why have you blocked me everywhere? Im your husband! We have a child together! Youre supposed to be contactable!
Ex-husband, Graham, Milly leaned back in her chair. Ex. Its been two years, do try and remember.
I need to choose new curtains and a sofa for the flat, Graham barreled on, as if he hadnt heard a thing. You have to help me. My taste is appallingyouve always told me so. You have to come with me!
Milly took the phone away from her ear and stared at it, genuinely baffled, then put it back.
Graham, Ive got work, a child, endless other things to do. I havent got time to go shopping with you. Why not ring your dear mum, Linda? Youre always comparing me to her anyway: what a marvel she is, knows everything, does everything better than anyone.
But she doesnt have a clue about modern
Is that all? Milly broke in curtly. Because Im not alone here and Ive got better things to do.
Graham paused. Alexandra smothered her mouth with both hands.
Not alone? What do you mean? Whos with you? Grahams voice turned tight.
Thats none of your business anymore, Graham, Milly smiled and hit the end call button.
For a moment, the kitchen was absolutely silent, and then Alexandra burst out laughing so hard she nearly fell off her chair.
Thank you ever so much for your support, Milly said to her, feigning offense. You could at least pretend to sympathise.
I cant help it! Alexandra wiped her eyes. Ring your dear mumthat was brilliant.
Milly huffed, but couldnt hide her grin.
Two years divorced, Alex. Two years. And sometimes it feels like Im still married. He rings, demands, bosses me about. Like nothings changed.
Well, you did answer the phone Alexandra managed to get her giggles under control.
What else was I meant to do? When he cant get to me, he goes after poor Stefan.
And both women caught each others eye and dissolved into fits of laughter together, because sometimes thats the only thing you can do
Sunday morning is utter bliss. Stefan went to his grans yesterday, and Milly finally gets a rare bit of peace. No cartoons blaring, no scattered socks, no endless chorus of, Muuuum, whats for lunch? Just quiet, a face mask, and a fresh manicure.
Milly leans back on the sofa, eyes shut. Bliss. The phone rings, sharp and sudden, making her nearly knock over the lamp as she sits up. An unfamiliar number flashes on the screen. Her finger hovers over the red buttonbut what if its the school? Or something urgent from her mother?
Hello?
At last, you picked up! Milly!!
Milly sighs, eyes closed. Of course its Graham. Who else would it be?
This is my new number, he rattles off. And dont even think about blocking meI must be able to contact you!
What do you want, Graham?
What are you up to right now? he ignores her question, voice probing. What are you doing?
Milly says nothing, inspecting her barely dried nails.
You have to answer me! Grahams voice grows sharp. Youre the mother of my son! I have a right to know whats going on in your life! What if youre letting strange men into the house? Youll end up ruining our boy!
Im raising our son myself, Milly interrupts coldly. No help needed. Why are you calling?
I bought a sofa and curtains.
Congratulations.
And now I see the wallpaper doesnt match. I need to re-paper. Youve got to come and help choose.
Milly actually laughs, though he cant see her.
Ive no intention of doing that. Ive got enough of my own worries without running errands for you as well.
But you have to! He all but shouts. Were not strangers! Weve got a child together!
Thats the only thing connecting us, Milly says, every word crisp. Our son. Your personal problems dont concern me anymore.
She hangs up and tosses her phone aside. The face masks begun to dry and tighten her skin, her manicure is finally setand her mood is utterly ruined.
Milly rubs her temples. How long will this go on? Wasnt the divorce enough, with Graham trying every trick to get her backbegging, threatening, even crying at her doorstep? She shudders. Shed rather not think about that, thank you very much…
…Another two months go by. Milly ignores every unknown number that calls. Graham tries to get through to Stefan, but, bless him, her son quickly learns to say, Mums busy. The ex is furious, sends endless long messages, but Milly deletes them unread.
Life starts, little by little, to feel normal again.
A warm May evening smells of lilac and something almost festive. Milly strolls home from the tube, peonies pressed to her chest, smiling at her own thoughts. The third date with Peter went brilliantly. Hes funny, clever, and nothing like Grahamwhich, all on its own, is a huge relief.
Milly!
She jumps and halts. By the entrance, leaning on the railings, stands Graham.
Evening, Milly nods. What do you want?
Graham doesnt answer. His eyes lock on the flowers.
Whats that?
Milly looks down at the peonies, then back up at him.
Flowers.
You cant be seeing someone! Graham steps towards her. You ought to be thinking about Stefan, not carrying on with your love life! If you hadnt left, our boy would have a proper family!
A family where the father cheats on the mother, is that it? Milly raises an eyebrow. Stellar example. Something to aspire to.
Graham falters. He swallows hard.
It was a moments mistake
And it cost us our marriage, Milly cuts him off. You betrayed me. Theres nothing left. All that links us now is our songet used to it.
But I
And stop sticking your nose into my life! Millys voice rises, and Graham recoils. I dont love you. I wont forgive you. Im not coming back. Thats it. Go find a hobby, a new woman, anything. Leave me be.
You cant treat me like this! Graham grabs for her hand, but Milly steps away.
I absolutely can. And if you dont back off, she looks Graham dead in the eye, Ill sell the house and move to another city with Stefan. And nothing will stop me. Understood?
Graham pales. His arms, stretched out towards her, fall limply.
You wouldnt dare
Milly draws a deep breath. Her ex has pushed her far enough.
Dont be so sure, Graham. Youve gone from being a nuisance to being utterly unbearable. Im fed up of your constant phone calls and your interrogations.
She steps past him into the building. Enough is enough.
The calls gradually stop. At first Graham tries messaging, then gives up. Seems the threat of moving worked better than the firmest no.
Milly sits in the kitchen with a coffee, gazing out the window. The peonies, now a little limp, stand in a vase on the sill. Stefans in his room doing homework; she can hear him muttering poetry through the door. At last, that chapters finished. At last, he understands hes not getting her back.
