They gave me a day off from work. I didnt tell my husband. I went to my mumsno kids, no husband.
When I saw the message from HR saying I had a day off, something delightfully mischievous sparked inside me. A whole day, just for myself. I glanced at my husband, fast asleep and snoring beside me, and felt a guilty pleasure mothers arent supposed to admitpure joy.
By 7am, I was ready to go, acting as if it was an ordinary workday.
Off already, love? he mumbled, barely awake.
Yeah, Ive got an early meeting, I lied smoothly, not even blinking.
I slipped out of the house like a fugitive, checking the rear-view mirror to make sure my conscience wasnt following me. And off I drove, straight to my secret havenmy mums house.
What are you doing here, love? she asked, opening the door in her dressing gown.
Shhh Ive escaped. No one knows, I whispered conspiratorially.
She grinned and let me in. The house smelled of fresh coffee and warm scones.
You naughty girl, she laughed, dishing up a plate for me.
We spent the morning just like old times. Breakfast without interruption. Gossip without having to censor ourselves. Coffee that I could actually drink hot. Boiling hot. Not microwaved for the fifth time because someone needed something.
This is better than a spa, I sighed, curling up on the sofa.
Doesnt your conscience bother you? my mum asked.
Not at all. Theyre fine. I needed this.
At two in the afternoon, my phone rang. It was my husband.
Im heading off now, I lied again, calm as an Olympian, while my mum covered her mouth, trying not to burst into laughter. Yes, yes very productive meeting.
When I got home that evening, I felt reborn. My husband looked drained, and the kids had turned the living room into a war zone.
How was your day? he asked innocently.
Just the usual, I replied, hiding my smile.
Later that night, once everyone was asleep, I got a message from Mum.
Same time next week?
Does it make me a terrible person to need a mums infidelity day or am I just taking a little time to keep myself sane?
