Im leaving, Eleanor, I said, my voice firm. Ill hand everything over to you and our daughter, but I have one request.
Its settled then, Eleanor replied, standing by the kitchen window, the rain tapping against the panes.
Ive stopped loving you, Eleanor, Leonard declared, sitting at the kitchen table. Ive weighed the pros and cons for months, and Im sure nowtheres no love left.
Eleanor turned to face him, her breath a faint sigh. Ive known that for a long time, Leo, she said, sighing sadly.
For a long time? Even that? Leonard asked, surprised.
It surprises you? Eleanor opened the window, inhaled the fresh drizzle, smiled, and shut it again.
No, but I thought you didnt realize, Leonard chuckled bitterly. If thats the case, Eleanor, things become simple. We must part ways.
Are you certain you want this? Eleanor asked. Do you think its right? After all these years as husband and wife, and with a child?
Ill pay child support and the like, Leonard said. Ill also help you both, you can count on that. I need nothing from you, Eleanor.
What do you mean, nothing from me? she asked, puzzled.
It means I wont claim the house or any assets, Leonard said, gesturing at the empty table.
You mean the cottage in Ashford you bought before we married? Eleanor queried. You wont split that?
No, Eleanor, I wont, Leonard replied. Im above that. If a less noble man were in my shoes, hed strip you to the last thread, Eleanor.
To the last thread? she echoed.
Yes, to the last thread. Id leave you and our daughter with nothing. But I wont. Im leaving everything to you. Take it. I want nothing. Thats just how I ampure-hearted.
Thank you, Leo, Eleanor said. Youre a proper gentleman, unlike some.
Some? Leonard frowned, glancing at the fridge.
The ones whose hearts arent as clean as yours, Eleanor clarified.
Oh, those, Leonard said, eyeing the sink piled with unwashed dishes. There are plenty of men who, to put it mildly, tarnish that title. Youd be amazed at the few who actually live up to it. How many of them are left?
Eleanor smirked, still watching the rain that had just begun. I love a quiet, warm house when its raining, she thought.
The world will grind everyone down, Leonard. Men vary, she said.
You think there are many kinds? Leonard exclaimed, staring at the table. Let me tell you a story. Theres a bloke at the officewell, I must say, hes a real character. Imagine when he left his wife, he
Well hear that another time, Leo, Eleanor interrupted. Im busy now. Anything else you want to say about us? Or are you done?
Just a bit more, Leonard said, smiling. Listen, Eleanor, Im leaving everything to you and our daughter, but I have one favour.
A favour?
Could you give me five hundred pounds? he asked. Ill pay you back, I swear.
Five hundred pounds? Eleanor raised an eyebrow. Are you sure thatll be enough?
Im sure, love, Leonard replied. Ive done the maths.
Youve done the maths? she laughed. Even so!
Youre laughing, love, but not for long. Its not much for eight years of marriage. I have no claims against you.
No, Eleanor said firmly. Its too much. I wont give you five hundred.
You wont? Leonard seemed baffled. Not even five hundred?
Its a strange thought, Leonard mused. I hadnt expected this. Nadineshe assured me five hundred wouldnt be a huge sum if Im giving up everything. Does she not see the risk?
How much will you give then? Leonard asked, glancing sorrowfully at the shabby fridge.
Nothing at all, Eleanor replied, moving away from the window to sit at the table.
Now thats a headline! Leonard thought. Shell give nothing. What am I to do? If she gives nothing, Im left with nothing. What will I tell Nadine?
What about three hundred? he tried.
A pennyworth, she said.
How could that be? Leonard asked, bewildered. She just wont give anything?
Exactly, she said.
I thought maybe its not the amount but if you insist what about fifty?
Youre tiring me, Leo, Eleanor snapped.
Fine then, Leonard sighed after a pause. If thats how you put it, Ill pursue my rights elsewhere.
Do as you wish, Leo. Rights love to be defended, especially in another arena, Eleanor replied.
Will you file for divorce, or should I? Leonard asked sharply.
Divorce? Wake up, Leo were already split, Eleanor said.
How? Why didnt I know? Leonard shouted.
You left three years ago, called only three times since. First, you told me not to worry. Second, you said you were sorting serious matters. The third call was just to say you didnt love me and to ask for five hundred, Eleanor listed.
I needed time to think, Eleanor, Leonard said. I was trying to keep the family together. How did you manage a divorce without me?
You were served summons at your home and your registered address, but you never showed up.
I deliberately skipped the hearings, Leonard said. I thought if I didnt attend, they wouldnt divorce us. Yet they did.
They did, Leo.
How could they strip a man of his wife and child without him there? Leonard exclaimed.
If you didnt want to be there, who can blame you? Eleanor replied. Only yourself.
I cant stand those courtroom dramas, you know that, Leonard admitted. All the squabbles, the public eye. No strangers, right?
Exactly. No strangers, just our own circle.
Good, thats how I like it. The judgewas she strict? Leonard asked.
She was calm, very composed. She even mentioned you occasionally, Eleanor said.
Really?
Yes. She wondered where you were.
What did she say?
Just that she didnt know. She wasnt angry, though. She was just untroubled.
Was she upset that I wasnt there? Leonard asked.
No, she took it in stride, Eleanor said. She even said the case could go ahead without me and that we were divorced. Why do you need five hundred pounds?
I want to remodel my flat, Leonard said. I thought we were solid, that we loved each other. Didnt I tell you about Nadine?
No.
I met Nadine three years ago, Leonard continued. I even called you then to reassure you everything was fine.
I recall the call, but you never mentioned Nadine.
Shes a wonderful woman, recently divorced herself. Weve been close. A year ago she became a mother to a little girl. I thought I should refurbish my flat for the childs sakenew wiring, heating, the works. You know how those old postwar council flats are.
I know.
Nadine suggested I ask you for help. Otherwise well lose more, Leonard said.
Dont rush the remodel, Leo, Eleanor warned.
Why not, love?
The flat on Oak Street was bought jointly. Half of it is legally mine, according to the court, she reminded him.
You cant do that, Eleanor, Leonard protested. After I said Id leave everything to you and our daughter you cant just turn around like that.
I could buy your share, sell you mine, or offer you a onebedroom on the first floor of a fivestorey block on Victoria Road, freshly renovated, Eleanor suggested. Your choice.
Thats all? Leonard shouted. Thats what you and Nadine can offer? We have a childdid you think about him?
Youll be rude, Ill sell my share to the first bidder, Eleanor warned. Youll end up in a cramped council flat with Nadine and the child.
Leonard stared at the dirty dishes, the battered fridge, the cracked ceiling, the grimy floor, the old singlepane windows. He thought of the broken TV, the damp bathroom, the clogged toilet, and a lump rose in his throat.
I accept, he whispered.
