At the factory, I was practically forced to take a holiday. I hadnt taken any time off last year, and I didnt want to this year either, but my boss insisted. Everyone at work was getting bargain seaside holidays, and I ended up with one myself. My wife, Emily, seemed put out that we wouldnt be going together, but she didnt want to even think about a holiday. She had too much on her plate and had a crucial business trip lined up.
For a while, it almost felt like she was relieved to pack me off for a break on my own. She left first, and I was supposed to head off two days later. But the night before my departure, everything changed. My mate and colleague, Tom, came to me in tears, pleading to swap his vouchers and train tickets with mine. That way, hed get the seaside, and Id go to the Lake District. I wasnt fussed either way, but Tom had his reasonshis wife only cared for the sea and nothing else, so he begged me for the exchange. I agreed.
The first few days were absolutely stunning. The scenery was beautiful and serene, the meals were buffet style, there were film nights in the lounge, and you could sign up for excursions. So I did. The package included a ride on the mountain railway to take in the breathtaking views. As I waited my turn at the top, I suddenly heard a laugh I knew all too well. I turned aroundand there was Emily, in sunglasses and a cap, standing with another man. She was laughing, and he leaned in, clearly trying to kiss her on the cheek.
At first, I thought I must be mistaken. But the more I listened in on their conversation, the clearer it became: Emily was not away on businessshe was on holiday with her lover.
I returned home quietly, arriving a day after Emily, and asked her directly where shed been, giving her a chance to tell the truth. She lied, talking about some conference in a distant city, but one blurry photo Id managed to snap was enough to stop her in her tracks.
She showed no remorse afterwards. Instead, she turned it all on me, accusing me of lying about the seaside trip.
It must have been fate that brought me there, letting me catch Emily betraying me. Otherwise, Id have carried on living with her, never suspecting a thing, believing that our marriage was just fine.
