There’s My Dress! Can You Seriously Believe I Threw It Out Myself? – There’s my dress! Are you really going to say I tossed it in there? – Egle turned pale as a sheet when she opened the rubbish bin. Egle asked herself the same question nearly every day, and still couldn’t find an answer: what had she ever seen in Martin? At first glance, he wasn’t much to look at – so unremarkable that Egle was embarrassed to introduce him to her friends, who all still assumed she lived alone. Only Egle’s sister knew she shared her flat with a man – and she kept that secret tightly. Martin certainly wasn’t a shooting star; he worked as a welder in a local metalworks factory. Sometimes, as she sat across from him watching TV, Egle caught herself thinking it was time to end things. Yet, whenever she was ready to call it quits, Martin would bring her flowers or a thoughtful gift, and she’d postpone the inevitable breakup a little longer. Before Egle met him, Martin had already been married. His marriage lasted merely two months, but his wife became pregnant and later gave birth to his daughter. By the time Martin and Egle crossed paths, his daughter was twelve. Egle had never made the effort to get to know the girl. The chance arose just before her birthday, which she planned to celebrate with friends. – Egle, – Martin said guiltily, – my ex-wife’s got to go away for work, and she’s asked if I could have my daughter stay… – For long? – Egle frowned, not exactly thrilled with this “gift” for her birthday. – For a month… – A month? Seriously? – she worried. – And does your ex expect us to foot the bill? – She’s not sent me any money, if that’s what you’re asking, – Martin shrugged. – If I recall, you pay her child support. So the girl comes to us for a month and her mum gets to pocket your payments? – There’s not much to pocket on my wages, as you know, – Martin said, chuckling bitterly. – How do you imagine she’ll live here? – Egle fumed, realising she didn’t want some stranger’s child sharing her flat for a month. – She’ll need to get to school, need minding. Why agree to this? – She’s my daughter, – Martin said, surprised. – You think I should turn my back on her? – You should remember: you don’t live here alone, and this is my flat. You could have asked me first! Plus, it’s my birthday, and I don’t want anything to spoil it! – Egle retorted firmly. – I don’t see why my daughter should be a problem, – Martin defended, guilt-tinted. – I have a bad feeling it’s all going to go wrong, – Egle said, arms folded. Martin tried to convince her not to be so pessimistic. The next day, a chubby-cheeked girl with heavy makeup – who looked more sixteen than twelve – arrived at Egle’s door. She stared at Egle and, without a word, turned to her dad. – Where’s my room? – You’ll be sleeping in the kitchen, – Martin said, offering a sympathetic smile. The girl rolled her eyes and ran off to the bathroom to cry. – What just happened? – Egle snapped at Martin. – She’s rude and ill-mannered. Good thing I decided to have my birthday party at a café. And you’re not coming. – What? – Martin asked in disbelief. – Thought you’d finally introduce me to your friends. We’ve lived together over six months now… – You’re staying home with your daughter, – Egle insisted, glad to avoid presenting Martin to her friends, whose boyfriends were all fit and sporty. – Got it, – Martin muttered with regret, not speaking to Egle for the rest of the day. Next day, Egle focused on her party prep. She ironed her cocktail dress first thing and hung it up for the evening. Martin stayed silent, not even wishing her happy birthday. Not wanting to spoil her mood, she pretended not to notice his slight. After work, hurrying to change for the party, she was shocked: her dress was gone. – Where’s my dress? – she raged, dashing to the kitchen where August, Martin’s daughter, lay on the fold-out bed. August ignored her, glued to her phone. – Did you hear me? – Egle demanded, snatching the phone away. – Give it back! – August screamed, bringing Martin running. – What’s going on? – he asked, alarmed. – Give the phone back! – Where’s my dress? – Egle snapped. – I didn’t touch it, – August replied, eyes narrowing mockingly. – She just hates me. – Give her the phone, did you hear me? – Martin said sternly. – Oh, sure, she’ll admit it! – Egle scoffed, tossing the phone onto the floor. The screen shattered; August burst into tears. Egle swept out, determined to find something suitable for the café. Quickly pulling together a makeshift outfit, she headed out for her birthday celebration. There, Egle made her decision: it was time to break up with Martin. Egle returned home in the early morning. Martin, hearing her, got up. – Do you know what time it is? – If you’re trying to play stern, you’re too late. I’ve decided – it’s over, – she said. – You and your daughter need to pack up in the morning. – Expecting to blame me after all this? – Martin laughed wryly. – You smashed August’s phone… – She stole my dress! – Egle hissed. – My daughter did nothing! – Martin’s eyes flashed. – I’d stake my life on it! Egle gave him a sidelong look and waved him off, uninterested in excuses. Wanting to calm down, she pulled a half-finished bottle of wine from the cupboard. Taking a sip, she spat it out in disgust. – What on earth? Shampoo? Are you saying I did that? – Egle joked, then, opening the bin, went speechless. – There’s my dress! Are you seriously going to say I threw it out myself? – So you just needed an excuse to leave me? I knew you’ve wanted this for ages! – Martin burst out. – If it weren’t for me, you’d have done it long ago! Egle raised an eyebrow, remembering everything. – I installed a listening device in the flat. I heard all your conversations with your sister. I know everything! – Martin said proudly. – Is that so! I always wondered how you figured out I wanted to leave so quickly! – Egle exclaimed, stunned as she recalled her many chats with her sister, friends, and parents. – Time to say goodbye! This time, Martin didn’t plead with her to stay. He understood this was the logical end of their story.

There it is the dress! Can you believe I threw it out right here?
Theres my dress! Dont tell me you think I tossed it in there myself? Alice went pale as a ghost as she opened the kitchen bin.
Nearly every day Alice found herself pondering the same question, one she could never answer for herself: what had she seen in Martin, anyway?
On the surface, he wasnt at all attractive. It was almost embarrassing to show him to her friends in fact, to this day, her mates still believed she lived alone.
The only person who knew otherwise was her sister, whod always kept Alices secret.
It wasn’t as though Martin was some kind of star, either. He worked shifts as a machinist in a metalworks, nothing fancy.
Sometimes, as she sat in front of the telly, Alice would catch herself thinking it was time to finally end things with Martin.
But every time she got herself ready to break up for good, Martin would turn up with a bouquet or another surprise, and shed push the idea aside for a bit longer.
Before Alice, Martin had already been married. The marriage barely made it two months, but it left him with an ex-wife and, during their split, a baby daughter.
When he met Alice, the girl was twelve already. And, so far, Alice hadnt made much effort to get to know Martins daughter.
But the perfect excuse to meet the girl came up just before a birthday bash Alice was planning with her mates.
Alice Martin said sheepishly my ex is away for work, and shes asking me to have Olivia stay here a while
For how long? Alice grimaced. Not quite the sort of present she wanted for her birthday.
For a month
A whole month? Alice asked, frowning. She does realise that feeding her costs money, doesnt she?
Well, she didnt send anything over Martin said, shrugging helplessly.
If I remember right, you pay child support. So her mumll be pocketing the money while her daughter stays with us for a month?
Theres not a lot to pocket, anyway you know how much I make, Martin chuckled weakly.
Just how do you think this is going to work? Alice snapped, growing more and more certain she didnt want someone elses kid in her flat for that long. Shell need taking to school, looking after. Why would you take that on?
Well, I am her dad Martin said, genuinely puzzled. You think I should just refuse?
Dont forget, you dont live here alone, and this is my flat! Plus, my birthdays coming up, and the last thing I want is for anything to spoil it! Alice said firmly.
I dont see why my daughter would be a problem, Martin said defensively, starting to look genuinely guilty.
Im certain nothings going to go according to plan Alice crossed her arms, shaking her head.
But Martin tried to cheer her up, telling her not to expect the worst.
The next day, into Alices tidy little flat marched a round-faced girl done up in bold makeup, who youd swear was at least sixteen.
The girl stared at Alice, didnt even bother greeting her, and addressed her dad straightaway.
Where am I sleeping?
In the kitchen, on the pull-out bed Martin said apologetically.
Olivia just rolled her eyes and ran to the bathroom to have a cry.
What was that about? Alice hissed at Martin. Cheeky and rude, that one. Thank goodness Im having the birthday party at a café. And for the record, youre not coming.
Why not? Martin sounded hurt. I thought, finally, youd let me meet your friends. Weve lived together six months
Youll stay with your daughter Alice turned away, secretly relieved that she wouldnt have to parade Martin in front of her friends, all of whom have fit, sporty boyfriends.
Got it, Martin replied, disappointed, and that was the end of their conversation.
The next day Alice busied herself with birthday plans.
She ironed her cocktail dress first thing in the morning and hung it up ready for the evening.
Martin barely said a word, not even wishing her a happy birthday.
Determined not to spoil her mood, Alice pretended she hadnt noticed.
After work, she rushed home to change, only to find her dress missing.
Wheres my dress?! she stormed into the kitchen, where Olivia was sprawled on the fold-out with her phone.
Olivia completely ignored Alice and just kept playing on her phone.
Are you even listening to me? Alice walked up and snatched the phone out of her hand.
Give it back! Olivia wailed, as Martin came rushing into the kitchen.
Whats going on?! he gaped. Give her back her phone!
Where. Is. My. Dress?! Alice snapped.
I didnt touch it, Olivia replied, shooting her an insolent glance. She just hates me, thats all.
I said, give her the phone! Martin said sharply.
Oh, as if she’d admit it! Alice clapped her hands sarcastically, tossing the phone onto the hard floor.
The screen cracked instantly, and Olivia broke down in tears. Alice swept past and went off to find something else to wear for her party.
In a rush, she pulled together an outfit and dashed out to celebrate her birthday.
It was at the party, lost in laughter and surrounded by friends, that Alice realised she needed to break up with Martin for good.
Alice came home early the next morning. As he heard her come in, Martin dragged himself out of bed.
Do you know what time it is?
Trying to play the strict husband? Youre a bit too late for that. Ive decided its over. Alice said flatly. You and Olivia will need to move out in the morning.
Of course, now youre blaming me for everything? Martin laughed bitterly.
You smashed Olivias phone
She stole my dress! Alice hissed.
My daughter would never! Martins eyes blazed. Id bet anything she had nothing to do with it.
Alice just shot him a withering look and waved him away, done with his excuses.
To calm herself down, she dug out the remainder of a wine bottle from the pantry.
She took a swig, then immediately spat it out, face screwed up.
What was that? Shampoo? Are you going to say I put it in there myself? Alice muttered. And, opening the kitchen bin, was left speechless. And theres the dress! Are you seriously going to say I chucked it in myself?
So, you found a reason to leave, finally? I know youve been wanting to for ages Martin blurted out. If it wasnt for me, youd have ended this long ago!
Alice raised her eyebrows. He was right she remembered all those fleeting moments.
I set up a listening device in the flat. Ive heard every chat youve had with your sister about me. I know everything! Martin said, puffed up.
Well, thats new! I always wondered how you seemed to know I was thinking of leaving Alice was actually shocked now, thinking of how often shed gossiped with her sister, her mates, even her mum. I think its time we say goodbye.
And this time, Martin didnt try to stop her. He could see as well as she could that it was the only ending that made sense.