The doorbell rang. I opened the door, and there stood this absolutely stunning womanprobably just over thirty. She was slim, dressed in a striking red mini dress that showed off her tanned, lovely legs and accentuated her impressive figure. Hair and makeup were all done just so. The works.
I smiled at her, a bit caught off guard.
Are you looking for someone?
Im here for you, she replied sternly. My names Grace.
Grace? Well, how wonderful. Its always a pleasure to have some grace visit ones home, I chuckled, opening the door wider. Please, come in.
She stepped in, glancing about the hallway.
Do head into the sitting room, that way, I offered. I just need to nip to the kitchenmy pancakes are frying and I dont want to burn them.
After a quick dash to the stove, I came back to find her perched elegantly in the armchair, legs crossed, elbows resting, her back arched like a cat about to leap. She looked ready for a serious conversation. Well, lets get on with it, I thought.
Tea? Coffee?
No, thank you.
I suppose youve come round for a chat, then. Im Harriet Middleton, by the way.
I know. I know all about you.
Oh do you? I grinned, genuinely interested. Id love to hear about me sometimeperhaps you can even tell me what my future holds?
Gladly, she said, unwavering. Very soon, your husband will leave you.
Edward? Really? Wheres he off to, then?
To me. Im his true love.
Right, it dawned on me, youre his true love. Funny, I thought that was me. Hes always said so, at least. What are the odds? Tell you what, Grace, shall we toast this occasion?
Excuse me? Im certainly not drinking with you.
Oh dont worry, Im not suggesting shots until dawn. Just a little tipple for the sake of introductions.
Off I went for a bottle of red and a couple of glasses. Came back and she was still settled, legs and posture immaculate, in that armchair.
Cheerfully, I put the bottle and glasses on the table, poured us each some wine, and offered her one.
Well, Grace, lets toast to finally meeting, I said, handing her a glass.
Im not drinking with you, she insisted.
Suit yourself, I smiled, taking a sip from one glass. Thats for getting acquainted. And another from the second glass. And thats for your visit.
Right then, Grace, I settled myself in the other armchair, youve come to claim my husband.
Precisely. Hes virtually my husband now, just the paperwork left. Were in love, and thats what truly matters. Ive talked this through with him and he agrees, more or less.
Brilliant, I laughed. Lets get on with it then.
Get on with what?
Packing up mysorry, yourEdwards things, together. Well call a taxi, and you can take everything with you.
Youre genuinely okay with that?
What else should I do, love? Come on, lets get going, chop chop.
All right, summer trousers, jeans, socks, pants, t-shirts, jumpers razor in the bottom drawer. Belts, ties, Sunday suits, jacketswheres his black umbrella? Oh, there it is.
Grace wandered back in.
All packed up? Blimey, that was quick. Hope you havent missed anything? Papers are in the cabinet under the tellyleave mine, take his! Lets keep things moving!
Harriet, why are you so willing to hand your husband over?
Why not? Doesnt it make you happy?
Well, of course, but I thought you might
What, burst into tears? Shout at you? Chase you out of the house? No need, pet. Why ruin both our nerves? No point whipping up drama once its all decided. Look, his glass with the tiger on it is in the kitchentake that too, his granddaughter gave it to him for his birthday.
After sorting the wardrobe, I reached up for the photo album, flipped through it, removed all the ones with Edward in them, bundled them into a bag.
Grace came over again.
Harriet, Ive been thinking this is really just my idea, this move. What if Edward objects?
Of course he wont! I mean, who would say no to moving in with such a gorgeous lady named Grace? Hell be delighted. Lets just get everything sorted before we forget something. Come on, lets haul it all to the lounge.
Tools! Dashed to the cupboard: toolbox, drill, screws, nails. Hauled the lot to the sofa.
Maybe I rushed things, Harriet. Shouldnt I at least talk to Edward? Maybe on the phone?
No point! Youre good, hes good, Im not fighting it. Its all fine. Ill just fetch some bags and suitcases.
We packed up, four hands working quickly and neatlyme dashing about, collecting this and that: a memory stick, spanner, trainers, a lighter, an ashtray. Could finally breathe. Almost forgothis new laptop! His pride and joy.
Oh, and in this bag, Grace, are some dirty clothesI didnt have time to do the wash. Youll manage.
Oh no, I really couldnt.
Go on, take them. Otherwise you two would always have an excuse to come back. Shall I call a taxi?
All right.
We had a cup of tea and some pancakes before she left.
I really love him, Grace confided to me. Hes so kind, intelligent, generous, caring, attentive hes got such a way about him
I know, I nodded. Rude, lazy, completely silent at home, messy, forgets my birthday and anniversaries, tight as they come. Mind you, hes obsessed with cleanlinessalways fussing, nitpicking. Exactly like his father.
That cant be true! Are you sure were talking about the same Edward? I wonder if I knocked on the wrong door?
No, love, you definitely meant Harriet, and thats me.
How can he be so different?
Dont worry, Grace. He fell out of love with me, fell in love with you. Naturally, youll get the best of him. Would you like more tea? Another pancake?
She nodded thoughtfully, so I filled her cup and offered more pancakes.
Delicious, she admitted. Im hopeless in the kitchen.
Oh well, he earns a decent wage. Youll eat out or hire a housekeeper. Not the end of the world! True loves what matters, after all.
Why did you say you were his true love too? Did he say that to you?
Rarely. Only now and then. Out in public, hes charming, the life of the party. At home, a grump, closed off, nothing pleases himhe brings all his bad mood home to dump on me. Still, its probably because hed had enough of me. With you, itll all be different. Love and understanding make all the difference.
But once in a while he called you his true love?
Mustve been a lie, or just a habit. Dont mind me. Honestly, compared to you, Im no competition.
Youre actually lovely, Grace inspected me. I imagined youd be some fat old battleaxe from the way he described you.
Thats just how he sees me; hes bored with me after so many years.
Dont you mind that hes leaving?
Mind? I burst out laughing. Not at all! Ill do my best to soldier on, I promise.
Harriet, shall we, erm have a drop more? To new acquaintances.
Sounds brilliant, I winked, going to fetch the bottle.
So we had another little toast. To new friendships. Grace had a sip, dabbed her lips with a napkin, looked around. It really is rather cosy here, she said. Youve such a knack for making a home. I hate cleaning, its torture. Spoils my mood.
I dont always love it, I admitted, but I hate living in mess even more. Still, I do like cooking. And singing.
I noticed.
Shall we sing together?
Not really my thing.
Shame. Edward used to sing with me when he was in a good mood.
And your daughter? Will she mind her dads gone?
Shell hate it, but shell understand. She loves her father, but things are as they are. Ill explain. Shes got a little girl herself, almost three now. Anywayshall I call that taxi?
I didnt expect all this. Not sure I have enough for the fare. Maybe Ill take it all next time?
Ill pay. Edwards not a complete stranger, after all.
Maybe
No maybe about it, Grace. No sense in delaying whats got to be done. Oh, hang on, phones ringing.
Hello, Edward? Yes. Please, lets have a calm chat. You wanted something? Yes, sorted everything you asked. Council tax paid, telephone and broadband sorted. Picked up your jumper from the cleaners, shopped with your sister Claire for her birthday Satsuma chicken for dinner, really? Cant promise. Why? Because I think youll be dining elsewhere tonightthats why. No riddles, Im perfectly sane and in a lovely mood. Having tea and pancakes. Well, Edward, Ive got things to do. Dont worry, everythings fine.
Grace fidgeted in the hallway as the cabbie, a chirpy little fellow, came up for the third load. I smiled.
Youre absolutely right, Grace: love is what really matters. Everything else is fluff. I wish you and Edward every happinesstake care of each other. Driver, are you all packed? Heres your fare, keep the change, and please help the lady in with her things. Grace, heres the pancake recipe you liked. Treat Edward to a batch sometimehe loves his food.
And dont worry. Everything will be just fine.
And honestly, I finally got to live the life I wantedfree, happy, interesting! Of course my ex did try to come back, but once youve had a taste of freedom, you never step on the same rake twice. No idea how it turned out for him and Grace, but thats not my concern. The important thing is, Im happy.
Doorbell Rings. I Open the Door. Standing There is a Stunning Beauty – a Young Woman of Just Over Thirty…
