Dont worry, Simon! Chin up, mate! At least you saw in the New Year in style!
So there he was, back in his hometown. Simon stepped off the train platform, walked out into the station square, and made his way to the bus stop. He hadnt let his wife know hed be home today.
He wasnt exactly in the best of moods because he was bracing himself for an awkward talk with his wife, Emily. Shed start having a go at him, saying he was selfish and uncaring. But was he really so indifferent? He, for one, had tried to wish her a Happy New Year, but shed switched her phone off. She was offended, thats why!
Hed spent three days trying to reach her, and she never once answered his calls. Well, at that point he felt miffed as well and gave up trying.
And to be fair, she hadnt even bothered to call and wish his parents or his sister a happy New Year, let alone him. He was determined to bring this up the moment he crossed the threshold.
It wasnt just her pointing fingersshe had her faults too, so it was high time she was called out for them! Isnt the best form of defence attack, after all?
That made Simon feel a bit bolder, and by the time he walked into his flat, he was ready for a proper showdown.
The place was eerily quiet.
Hello? Anyone home? Emily, Im back! he called out loudly, but no reply.
He checked the kitchenempty. Then the living roomnothing. The spare roomalso deserted. But some changes immediately caught his eye: the cot by the wall was gone, along with the chest of drawers with the changing mat on top and the pram Simons parents had given Emily as a present.
He rushed to the wardrobe and realised that the half where Emilys clothes hung was bare.
Has she completely lost her marbles? Has she left me? he thought, panic starting to bubble up.
He rang his mother-in-law, but she didnt answer. Next, he tried Emilys mate, Jessica. Nothing there either. Finally, he managed to get through to Jack, Jessicas husband.
Hey Jack, mate! Can I have a word with Jess? She isnt answering her phone, he asked.
She and the baby are at her mums in the countrysidewe did a family New Years do there. Phone signal can be rubbish.
I came back yesterday, had to work today. Theyre still living it up, said Jack. Why? You after Jess for something?
I thought maybe she knew where Emily was. I got back from my mum and dads and theres no sign of Emily, nor any of the stuff for the baby, Simon said.
Wait, mate Werent you soon to become a dad yourself? You left Emily at home alone over the holidays? Jack sounded genuinely surprised.
She didnt want to come, even though her due date was, whattenth or eleventh of January? Wed have made it back in time, easy.
Jack laughed, Well, congratulations, Simonyouve made a right mess of it.
What?! Simon was baffled.
Well, chances are youre single now, mate. Fool! Just ring the hospital, shes probably there, said Jack.
Ten days earlier…
I just dont understand, Simon, his mum said on the phone. Why should you sit at home alone over Christmas? If Emily doesnt fancy the trip, you come by yourself. Her due dates nearly a fortnight away, plenty of time to get back.
Besides, the whole familys comingAunt Fiona and Uncle David, Natasha and Victor, Olivia and Paul, and of course me, your dad, and Victoria with Ben.
Victorias booked us all rooms at a lovely country hotelright in the woods. Four days, from the 30th through to the 2nd.
Banquet at the restaurant on New Years Eve, with live music and everything. I paid for you, pay me back later. Stay until after the holidays, head back on the 8thyoull be home before Emilys due.
But Emily didnt want to go:
Simon, I could go into labour at any time! Just imagineeveryones having fun, and Im suddenly rushed off in a panic. The hotels out in the stickswould an ambulance even get there quickly?
No, Im staying put.
Your mum always goes on about how women treat pregnancy like an illness and giving birth as some incredible feat. She had three kids and barely took any maternity leave!
Truthfully, Simon could see Emilys point. But all he could think about was how dull and lonely it would bejust him and his wife at home, a simple dinner for two (shed already said she wasnt planning to cook much). It sounded depressing.
Meanwhile, his whole family would be living it up in the restaurant: music, dancing, drinks, the works.
So, off Simon went, alone.
To be fair, the countryside hotel was brilliant. Around half midnight, after New Year had struck, Simon slipped out to the corridor to ring Emily, but she wouldnt answer. Fine, be moody then, he thought. She couldve come and had fun too, after all.
Next day, Simons mum started on about it:
Emily didnt even call to wish us a happy New Year. Shes obviously sulking! Youve let your wife get away with murder, son.
She just doesnt get the meaning of family. Thats why were all together here, and shes on her own. Maybe shell realise that sitting alone.
But that New Years Eve, Emily had bigger things on her mind. If she thought about anyone, it was Simonnot his parents or their endless family crowd.
Her own folks, realising shed be alone for the holidays, had her over to theirs. They werent planning a big do.
Emilys brother lived in London, worked all through the season, so their parents were just going to have a quiet New Year together.
At 9pm on New Years Eve, Emily was helping her mum set the table for a little family meal when she started feeling contractions.
They called an ambulance straight away. Her mum went with her; her dad followed by car.
That year, Emily celebrated New Year in the hospital, and her parents toasted the moment from the hospital lobby. Emily became a mum to a baby boy…
So Simon took Jacks advice and rang the hospital.
Coleman? She was discharged yesterday, the receptionist told him.
What? Already? Shes had the baby, then?
Yes. First of January, half past midnight.
And who picked her up? Simon pressed.
Sorry, sir, we dont record that in our logbooks, she replied.
Simon realised it could only have been her parents. So she and the baby must be at theirs.
He bought a bouquet of roses and headed over.
He rang the doorbell. His father-in-law answered.
Yes?
Hi, Ive come to see Emily, Simon said.
Why? came the response.
I am her husband, you know, Simon replied.
Emily! his father-in-law called. Some chap here claims to be your husband. Want to talk to him?
No! Dont let him in, came Emilys voice from inside.
Her dad shrugged. She says no. Goodbye, young man. And he closed the door.
Simon stood there for a few awkward minutes and rang again.
This time his mother-in-law answereda tall, no-nonsense woman with a booming voice. Honestly, she intimidated him a bit.
Did you not get the message? she barked.
Please, just let me inI have a right he started, trying to sound brave.
Before he got another word out, she snatched the flowers away and smacked him about the face with the bouquet a few times.
Ill tell you what your rights areyour solicitor will be in touch! And stop ringing, my grandsons asleep, she snapped. Then she turfed the bouquet back at his feet and slammed the door.
Simon trudged off home, rubbing his facethe roses were pretty, but those thorns stung.
First thing he did when he got home was ring his mother.
Can you believe it? They wouldnt even let me in. Didnt let me see my own son.
Dont fret, Simon. Emilys just throwing a strop; shell come round. Once shes got a baby on her hands, she wont last long without help. Dont call her, dont send her money either.
Let her folks look after her if theyre so clever. Give it a week or two, shell be back. For now, get some restyouve work in the morning.
So Simon did just that: had some ready-made dumplings from the corner shop and went to bed.
He slept soundly, not realising that this was his last night in that flat.
When Simon came back from work the next day, all his belongings were boxed up in black bags and dumped on the landing.
He rang the bell. His mother-in-law, who actually owned the two-bedroom flat where he and Emily lived, answered.
Well then, dear son-in-lawdo you still remember the address of your old bedsit, or shall I remind you? Off you go, take your stuffthe cleanerll throw out whatevers left by tomorrow!
So Simon had to move back into the bedsit.
They divorced in court. Simon soon got sick of bedsit life and thought of renting his own place. But when he picked up his pay packet, after maintenance had been deducted, along with an extra £150 for supporting his ex-wife, he realised there wouldnt be much left for living.
Learn to be a bit more thrifty, mate! Youll need to save up for your own flat one day, Jack advised. Ah well, Simonchin up! At least you had an unforgettable New Year!
Emily spent three years living with her parents, who helped her raise little Oliver and rented out the old flat in the meantime.
When Emily finally went back to work, she and Oliver moved back in after sprucing the place up. Not a trace of Simon or his family was left.
So, mate. What do you make of Simons actions? Let me know your thoughts, whack a like if youve got an opinion!
