It had been three months now since shed been living without her husband. Ever since the infamous office Christmas do, when shed spotted her beloved Michael canoodling with a fresh-faced HR girl in the dim restaurant corridor, living under the same roof with him seemed about as inviting as sharing a bunk with a hedgehog.
Susan was scrubbing the window and gazing out over the garden. On the playground below, her five-year-old daughter, Emily, was tearing about with her friends, all shrieking like banshees. While the kids roared and romped, Susan herself felt decidedly grey.
Itd been three months since her marriage hit the skids. The night of the Christmas party was a turning point: catching Michael locked in an embrace that would make a sloth blush ruined more than just the festive eveningit felt like her whole life had taken a nosedive.
Susan had heard mutterings before about Michaels wandering eye, but shed brushed them aside as neighbourhood gossip. Shed always told herself he was simply busy climbing the career ladder, not letting on that shed noticed their conversations had shrivelled to his complaints about work and standard Pass the potatoes exchanges.
After their blowout row that night, Michael moved out, his tolerance for tears apparently lower than his loyalty. Overnight, Susans worldview did a complete flip. The myth she’d built about eternal love and loyalty had crumbled like a stale scone.
After Michael left (and rumour had it hed gone swanning off to his new flame), Susan felt like a helpless child, forced to re-learn the rules of daily life. She tried to temper her bitterness, to understand, and adaptexcept forgiving Michael was about as likely as snow in July. Not that he ever asked for forgiveness, mind you.
What really got Susans goat was that after a decade together, it all amounted to zilch. She just couldnt comprehend how it could all end so utterly. Her parents tried to comfort her, even her mother-in-law offered apologetic tea and sympathy, but it didnt make a dent in Susans gloom.
I suppose Im just one of those mugs who trusts people to the bitter end, Susan mused, staring at her faded curtains.
But time trickled by, and her phone stayed stubbornly Michael-free. At first, shed desperately wanted remorse. Shed expected him at the door, clutching flowers, spouting regret. But he never appeared. Gradually, Susan realised that even if he did come crawling back, the trust wouldnt magically mend. No, things were unalterably different.
Now, with sunlight filling the sparkling clean room, a warm breeze wafting in and the birds twittering outside, Susan sighed and caught sight of herself in the mirror. The reflection staring back was a drab, unbrushed mop in a threadbare dressing gown. It was a look only useful for scaring off cold callers. That wouldnt do.
Suddenly, Susan was seized by the urge to change everythingher look, her flat, the tired old curtains. She dumped the cleaning rag on the kitchen table and picked up her mobile.
Mum, I reckon its time I spruce up this place. No, not a Grand Designs jobjust new wallpaper, a fresh light fitting, posher curtain rails, and the floor could do with a lick of paint. Oh, and may as well get new lino in the kitchen. Can you give me the number of that handy team your neighbour used last autumn?
A week later, the foremana chap called Dave, knocking fortyturned up, did a once-over and said, Shouldnt take long, but were booked solid for ages. Can you wait?
Susans face fell. Dave scratched his head and added, Ive got a decent lad, works days but can come in evenings and weekends, if that suits.
Susan agreed, and between them they hammered out prices in pounds and pence.
She dedicated herself to Operation Makeover. That weekend, Susan lugged home supplies from the DIY shop. And in came Jack, the young worker, cheerful and quick. He started in the kitchen, shifting furniture with care, and by evening the floor gleamed.
Susan was delightedshe praised Jack enthusiastically and, along with Emily, set about scrubbing every dish in sight.
Jack kept coming back after work, sorting out all the electrics in a flash and hanging up a sparkling chandelier. Susan plied him with endless cups of tea, and they chatted about what to tackle next. Wallpaper was up soon, so they shifted the furniture and prepped the rooms.
As the house transformed, Susan felt the flat itself was brighter, warmeralmost as if life was sneaking back in. Jack began showing up with boxes of biscuits for tea and homemade pies courtesy of his nan. Emily was overjoyed; each visit meant new treats, and shed clap her hands in anticipation.
Susan, not to be outdone, often cooked lunch for Jack as a thank you. Conversations at the table grew funnier, friendlier. Eventually, Jack plucked up the courage to ask about Susans situationshed definitely caught his eye.
Susan shrugged, My husband left. Something shinier came along.
Jack paused, then blurted, Whod leave someone like you?
Amazingly, Susan felt nothing but calm; the old sting was gone. She met Jacks gentle eyes and realised she understoodmaybe even cared for him.
The work pressed on. When the time came to paint the floor, Emily was whisked off to Grannys, as the fumes made the flat uninhabitable for tiny humans.
Susan planned to visit her parents too, while Jack finished up.
With his work nearly done, they emerged from the building together and opted for a leg-stretch round the park, the fresh air a tonic after all the paint and dust.
During their walk, Jack linked his arm through Susansand, for once, she didnt pull away. Darkness crept in, but they were in no hurry to part. Like two teenagers, they camped on a bench and started kissing, unable to stop themselves. Suddenly, Susan burst into laughter.
Whats so funny? asked Jack.
Girls usually douse themselves in fancy perfume for first dates… We reek of Dulux from about a mile away!
They both cracked up.
A week later, Susan and Emily were back in their dazzling flat, marvelling at the gleaming floors and fresh décor.
The mood was buoyant. Susan had whipped up dinner and called Emily to the table when the doorbell rang. There stood Jack, clutching flowers and a cake.
Well! Our first official guest, Susan declared, inviting him in, Its practically a housewarming, thanks to your hard work.
I, um, just popped back for my work jacket, Jack said.
And is that all youre here for? Susan teased, grinning.
No, not quite. Jack glanced at Emily and whispered, Ill tell you later what sort of reward Id love
Emily took Jacks hand and galloped off to show him her toy collection. Susan sank into a chair, head in her hands. Itd been ages since she was this happyhappy because someone genuinely loved her, and she found herself falling too.
But then, the doorbell rang again.
Whos that, then? Susan wondered. Probably the neighbour, come to critique the DIY.
On the doorstep stood Michael.
You? gasped Susan, eyebrow suitably raised.
Bad timing? Been trying to get in for a week. Just here to grab a few things I left behind.
Wouldnt it be better to take all your bits at once and leave us be? replied Susan crisply.
Jack and Emily appeared, arm in arm.
Whos this? Michael asked, scowling at Jack. Seems you didnt waste any time feeling lonely. Got yourself a replacement already?
Perhaps you ought to greet your daughter, Susan suggested tartly.
Michael did, planting a slightly awkward kiss on Emily.
Did you bring me presents? Emily asked, candid as ever.
Michael faltered, Ill get you something for your birthday. Anything you want.
Emily pondered, Is my birthday soon?
No, not for another six months, love. Off you go nowI need to shift Dads suitcase, Susan replied.
She set Michaels suitcase before him. While she was gone, the men exchanged glances sharp enough to slice bread.
When Michael left, Susans bright mood dimmed. Jack, sensing it, slid an arm around her.
Do you still love him? he asked softly.
No. His surprise visits dont amuse me.
Are you embarrassed Im here? Jack pressed.
Not at allyoure my guest, and I can have whoever I please.
I dont want to be just a guest, Susan. Or just the handyman. Id like to be with you, properly. Will you marry me?
Oh Jack, its a bit soon, dont you think? We cant rush. And my parents might not understand
Fair enough. At least promise youll think about it. No rushIve been searching for someone like you for ages and now Ive found you.
Jack stood, gently closed the door behind him.
Ill think about it, of course I will, Susan whispered to herself, rocking Emily, whod crawled into her lap.
As she tucked Emily into bed, Susan pushed all thoughts of Michael aside. Eyes closed, she saw Jacks smile and quietly answered him in her mind: Ill think about itjust dont rush, loveThe flat felt different that night, as if all the new paint and light fittings had worked some magic on the memories lodged in its walls. Susan moved through the rooms softly, gathering up stray Lego blocks and picture books, her heart light despite the jolts of old pain.
Out in the living room, she paused before the mirror again. The woman reflected there didnt look drab or broken anymore. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair fell loose about her shoulders, and the sparkle in her eyes seemed genuine. She grinned, almost surprised at herself.
A knock at the window startled her from her reverie. Jack was standing outside, sheepish and smiling, holding up a homemade sign that read, Tea break? with a doodle of a heart and a paintbrush.
Susan opened the door, laughing. Jack stepped in, wordlessly taking her hands. They sat together at the kitchen table for hours, talking about everything and nothingchildhood dreams, favourite holidays, how neither of them ever expected life to turn out this way. By the time their mugs were empty and Emily was asleep, Susan felt something settle inside her with gentle certainty.
She realised, at last, that beginnings didnt always come with grand gestures or perfect timing. Sometimes they arrived quietly, as simple as a cup of tea with someone whose smile made the room feel warmer.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the house in gold. Emily tiptoed in, climbed onto Susans lap, and asked, Mummy, are you happy?
Susan kissed the top of her head, glancing across at Jack in the doorway, who was beaming shyly.
Yes, darling, she said. Im more than happy. I think were all just getting started.
And as laughter echoed softly in the newly bright kitchen, Susan realised shed finally scrubbed away yesterday, making roomfor hope, for love, for whatever life was waiting out there next.
