Robin, can you hear me? Evelyn Markham, his motherinlaw, tugged his sleeve. Ive already paid for the holidays. Two weeks in Brighton, a fivestar hotel. Emma will stay put, and the money will melt away.
Robin turned. Evelyn was in her favourite turquoise dress, hair perfectly set. A spark of mischief glittered in her eyes the same gleam that appeared whenever she plotted something behind her daughters back.
Evelyn, but what about Emma? Shes still here the medical equipment
What will happen to her? The nurses will look after her. Ive spoken to the head of the ward, Timothy Igo. He said the first two weeks are the calmest, just recovery. Well return tanned, relaxed, and Emma will be pleased.
Robin gave his wife a sideways glance. Emma lay on the bed, eyes closed as if pretending to sleep. After the operation she was weak, silent most of the time. Yesterday she had asked only for a glass of water and for the TV to be switched to a serial drama channel.
This feels wrong he muttered.
Robin, dont be a wimp! Evelyns voice dropped. You see how shes become lately. Always dissatisfied, picking fights over trifles. Remember the scandals before the operation? Maybe a little distance will do us both good.
Mum, what are you whispering about? Emmas eyes snapped open, a flash of something strange passing through them before vanishing.
Just discussing your treatment, dear, Evelyn replied briskly. How are you feeling?
Fine. Robin, could you hand me the phone, please?
He handed over his smartphone, and Emma sank into the screen. Evelyn gave Robin a knowing look and nodded toward the corridor.
In the hallway she continued, her voice low:
Think about it, Robin. When will we have another chance? Im not getting any younger, and you work like a horse. Emma will heal and wont even notice were gone for a few weeks. Well say we were on a business trip.
Lie to her?
Not lie, just spare her another upset. You know how paranoid shes become since the heart trouble started. She always thinks everyones against her. Let her recover in peace.
Robin stared into the past. The year had been hard. Emma often accused him of neglect, and his mother blamed him for intruding into their life. Evelyn only wanted to help with the house repairs, buying a car, choosing the clinic for the operation.
Alright, he finally said. But we must call her every day, ask about her health, buy vitamins and supplements.
Of course, love! Evelyn beamed. Well videocall so she sees us at home. Just change the background.
Change the background? You want to fool her on a video call?
Robin, its for her own good! Imagine her panic if she discovers were on the coast. The doctor said we mustnt stress her.
At that moment a nurse appeared from the ward.
May I see Emma Alexander? she asked. Her friend Milly is here.
Certainly, Robin nodded.
Milly passed, gave Evelyn a quick smile, and disappeared into the room. Evelyn whispered:
I cant stand that Milly. She always turns Emma against me.
Evelyn, theyve been friends since childhood.
And what? Im her mother! But Emma listens to Milly more than to me.
Robin sighed. The feud had stretched for years Evelyn jealous of Emmas bond with Milly, convinced Milly was a bad influence.
I have to get to work, he said. Will you stay with Emma?
No, Ill go too. Milly and Emma will chat without me. Ill drop by tomorrow morning. And think about the trip, Robin. Ive already bought the tickets for the day after tomorrow.
What? Youve bought the tickets?
Why waste time? The sooner we go, the calmer everything will be. Emma will be out of anaesthesia the first week, sleeping a lot. She wont even notice.
Evelyn turned and walked toward the exit, her heels clicking on the linoleum. Robin lingered, gathering his thoughts, then peeked back into the ward. Emma and Milly were murmuring softly. They fell silent when they saw him.
Im off to work, he said. Ill be back tonight.
Good, Emma replied. Dont stay too long.
As he left the hospital, Robin didnt see Milly slip out, pull out her phone, and start typing furiously.
***
The next morning Emma awoke to a buzzing notification. Milly had sent a screenshot of a socialmedia chat Evelyn bragging to her mates about the upcoming Brighton getaway with the beloved soninlaw.
Finally a break from the bore, the mother wrote. Robin agreed straight away, no doubts. Looks like hes tired of her whims too.
Emma placed the phone on the nightstand. In the place where surgeons had just worked, a cold sting rose not from physical pain but from betrayal. The sting of those closest to you cut deeper than any scalpel.
So thats it, she whispered. You want a break from the bore? Have a break.
She dialed her cousin Arsen, a talented programmer who dabbled in hacking.
Arsen, I need your help. Im in the hospital, but thats irrelevant. Listen carefully
***
The morning of departure was a whirlwind. Robin scrambled around the flat, stuffing things into a suitcase. Evelyn called every five minutes:
Robin, did you remember the swim trunks? The sunscreen? The hat?
Got everything, Evelyn.
Brilliant! Meet me at the station two hours before departure. And dont even think about changing your mind!
Robin hung up and stared at a photo of Emma on the dresser. She was smiling a picture taken two years ago, before all the trouble.
Forgive me, he thought. But your mothers right we all need a break.
He drove to the hospital for a brief lie, saying he was off on a business trip to York. Emma nodded, eyes never leaving the screen.
Good luck, she said. Call if you have time.
Will do.
He kissed her forehead and left. If he had turned, he would have seen his wifes strange grin.
At the station Evelyn shone like a new coin, wearing a light summer dress, a straw hat, and oversized sunglasses.
Robin! At last! I thought youd changed your mind.
No, just stuck in traffic.
They checked in, dropped their bags. In the waiting area Evelyn pulled out her phone:
We need to call Emma, tell her were home, making her broth.
Should we? Shes resting, surely.
No, we must. Otherwise shell suspect something.
Evelyn dialed Emma on a video call. Emma answered almost instantly.
Mum? Something wrong?
No, love, just wanted to check on you. Im at home, making broth. Will bring it tonight.
Thanks, Mum. And wheres Robin?
Hes at work, I guess. Whats that noise? It sounds like an announcement
Evelyn fumbled to turn off the camera.
Oh, bad connection! Ill call back later!
She hung up, exhaling:
Phew, that was close. Need to be more careful.
Robin nodded, his chest tightening with guilt. But retreat was impossible the boarding call had already sounded.
***
The Brighton hotel was opulent seafront, private beach, several pools. Evelyn immediately explored the spa, while Robin retreated to his room.
No sooner had he begun to unpack than the phone rang. An unfamiliar voice.
Hello?
Is this Robin Sinclair? a formal male voice said. This is Cyril Anton, solicitor for your wife, Emma Alexander.
A solicitor? Emma has no solicitor.
She does now. Im calling to inform you that Emma has filed for divorce. Papers will be emailed to you. She also seeks a division of assets, including the flat we own together.
Robin sank onto the bed. His mind whirred.
This must be a mistake Emmas in the hospital, she couldnt
She could and did. All documents are in order. She also terminated the power of attorney over your joint business, the Shine drycleaning chain. As of today youre excluded from management.
But thats our family business! Ive invested everything!
According to the paperwork, 51% belongs to Emma, as the startup capital came from her grandmothers inheritance. She now has sole authority. Best of luck.
The solicitor hung up. A bank notification popped up the joint account was frozen at the other owners request.
Robin dialed Emma. After a long ring, her calm voice answered:
Yes, Robin?
Emma, whats happening? Divorce? A solicitor?
Oh, you already know. Fine. I thought while youre in York, it would be a good time to start the divorce, so we dont get in each other’s way.
Im not in York
I know. Youre in Brighton, at the Imperial, room 412. My mothers in the adjoining room. By the way, tell her Ive cancelled all her cards linked to our accounts. Im also selling the flat she rents out in London. Its my grandmothers property, I just let her collect the rent. No more.
Emma, listen
No, you listen. You wanted a break from the bore? Take it.
She went on, listing debts, tax investigations, even mentioning a former tax officer, Alva, who knew about Robins shady accounting in the drycleaners. If you resist the divorce, she warned.
Robin paled. The schemes were real he had skimmed cash to lower taxes. If exposed, criminal charges loomed.
Why are you doing this?
Because Im tired. Tired of your lies, of my opinion being ignored. My mother decides where we holiday, which furniture to buy, where I get treated. You nod and obey. And I? Im just the bore you need a break from.
A shout echoed down the corridor. The door burst open, Evelyn rushed in, panic in her voice:
Robin! My cards blocked! I cant pay for the spa! Whats happening?!
Did Mom arrive? Emma asked. Turn up the volume.
Robin hit the speaker button.
Mum, hello, Emmas voice was icecold. Hows the holiday?
Emma! What have you done?! Why wont my card work?!
Because it was my card, and I stopped letting you use it. Im also selling my London flat the buyer is ready, Arsen will handle the paperwork.
You have no right! Im your mother!
And what? Does that give you licence to lie, betray, call me a bore in front of friends?
Evelyn gasped.
Where did you
It doesnt matter where. What matters is that were both free of the bore. Enjoy the holiday. Just note you only have cash on hand. Ive blocked every card, cancelled the return tickets. The hotel is paid for three days; any extra night youll have to fund yourself.
Emma, stop! Evelyn screamed. Youre ill, you cant be nervous!
Im absolutely calm. By the way, Ive already been discharged early, for a hefty fee. The same money that lay in our accounts is now in my personal one. And remember Nina Paul, your mums friend you loaned £150000 to? I found the loan note, gave it to the collectors. They bought the debt at discount and will now chase Nina, whos also in Brighton, next door. Shell be paying soon.
You monster! Evelyn clutched her chest. After everything Ive done for you!
What exactly did I do? Micromanage every step? Turn my husband against me? Call me hysterical and boring behind my back?
I wanted the best!
No, you wanted it your way. Yet, thanks to this trip I realised I can live without you. I will.
Robin tried to regain control.
Emma, lets talk calmly. Well come back
With what money will you come back? Does Mum have cash?
Evelyn hiccupped.
Twoandahalf thousand pounds total
You?
Twoandahalf thousand
Sevenandahalf thousand pounds for two in Brighton at peak season. Good luck. You could work as beach animators Mums still spry, tourists will love her.
Emma, stop tormenting us!
Im not tormenting you. Im freeing you. By the way, Robin, your boss already knows youre not in York but Brighton. I sent him screenshots of your Instagram stories. Hes shocked, given you claimed sick leave to look after your wife.
Robin let the phone fall. His boss, Victor Stanhope, would fire him for the lie.
One more thing, Emma continued. Your lover, Kara, from the next department, also got the photos of you with Mum. She believes youre on a holiday together. Shell fly over; shes only fifteen years younger, a fitness trainer dreaming of marrying a wealthy man. Shell think you dumped her for my mum.
Lover?! Evelyn shrieked. Robin, what on earth is she doing?
Robin stayed silent. He thought his affair with Kara had been a secret for six months; Emma had no idea.
Oh, Mum, youre not in the loop? Emma smirked. Robin, tell Mum about Kara. Shes twentythree, blonde, fitness guru. She thinks you abandoned her for my mother. Imagine the conversation.
Evelyn stared at Robin as if seeing him for the first time.
Is that true? You have a lover?
Evelyn, I
Dont touch me! the motherinlaw snapped. My daughter is in the hospital and you
Mum, calm down, Emma interjected. You called me a bore and a hysteric yourself. You said Robin needed a break from me. So he took a break with Kara.
A loud knock rattled the door.
Robin! a female voice shouted. Open up, you scoundrel! I know youre in there!
Is that Kara? Emma asked. How fast did you get here? Robin, open, dont be a coward.
Ill call security! Evelyn yelled, rushing to the phone.
I warned the hotel security that a girl would arrive to sort out family matters, Emma said. I told them youd kidnapped her fiancé.
The door slammed open; a young blonde in a tight dress burst in, handbag swinging, and swung it at Robin:
Scoundrel! You said you loved me! You said wed divorce! Yet youre with this old witch!
Im not old! Evelyn shouted, clawing at Karas hair.
A fight erupted. Robin tried to separate them, taking blows from both sides while Emmas laughter echoed from the hallway.
Having fun? she asked. Im recording this. Great video for the divorce.
Emma, stop! Robin shouted, dodging the handbag.
One more second. Mum, Kara is pregnant. With Robin. Three months. She told me herself when I called.
Evelyn froze.
What?
Kara, breathless, whispered:
Yes! Pregnant! And he promised to marry me!
Robin, Evelyn hissed. Is it true?
Robin slipped down the wall onto the floor. Everything crumbled work, family, business, reputation.
Fine, I wont hinder you from sorting out your relationships, Emma said. Good luck on your holiday. By the way, Nina Paul is already in the hotel lobby with collectors. Shell be there soon.
The line clicked off. Another frantic knock sounded:
Evelyn! Open up, you snake! You sold my debt to collectors!
Robin, do something! Evelyn wailed.
Robin sat on the carpet, staring at a point on the wall. Phones rang incessantly boss, colleagues, friends. Emma had probably broadcast the news to everyone.
Kara collapsed onto the bed, sobbing:
I thought you loved me Youre a liar!
Love? Evelyn roared. Hes married to my daughter!
He was, Kara corrected. Emma said shes filing for divorce.
The knocking ceased, replaced by a heavy thud as the door burst open. A dignified lady in a bright sundress entered, flanked by two men.
We need the police, Robin muttered.
What for? Evelyn pointed at her phone. I just got a message: if I dont pay the debt now, my line will be cut!
Thats Emma, Robin guessed. She must have tinkered with our tariffs.
The doors rattled again, this time flinging wideAs the morning light filtered through the shattered doors, Robin finally understood that the only thing left for him to command was the rhythm of his own breathing.
