Secret Meetings
After his divorce, Edward was adriftor so he told his colleagues and friends. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, though he hadnt wished it. His wifes temper had become unbearable. At least there were no children; she had never wanted them.
At thirty-six, Edward cut a fine figurebroad-shouldered, athletic, with handsome features and a brooding gaze. There had been women since the divorce, even younger ones, but remarriage was the last thing on his mind. He paid little attention to coworkers, considering office romances trite, and most were married besides.
“Ive more sense than to get tangled in that mess,” hed say over pints with his mates at the pub.
“Famous last words,” theyd laugh. “You know how it goeslove comes knocking when you least expect it.”
Pride, it seemed, came before a fall. Edward would never forget that summers day when the new colleague arrived. The night before, his friend Thomas had mentioned it:
“Maxs wife, from the other office, is joining us.”
Edward barely knew Maxa dull, unremarkable man, in his opinion.
“Probably just as dreary as he is,” hed thought dismissively.
But the next morning, when Lillian was introduced, Edwards breath caught. She was stunning. Worse still, she was sharp-witted. Within a week, he was pacing by the office door each morning, restless for her arrival. Evenings were spent alone, his thoughts full of her.
“Lillianshes the one. Perfect in every way. And if she suits me, Ill suit her. Ive only to make her notice me. True, shes married, but thats to my advantage. Our roles keep us working side by sideno one will suspect a thing.”
Another week passed. Edward noticed Lillians smiles, the way their shoulders brushed as they worked. Yet her constant mentions of Max grated. Was she warning him off, or simply fond of her dull husband? The uncertainty kept him from flirting outright.
Still, they were partnered on projects, heads bent over documents. Once, when Thomas was absent, Edward felt her warm breath against his cheekand before he could stop himself, he kissed her.
She pulled back, fingers pressed to her lips. “Edward, pleasedont do that again.”
But she didnt leave. Didnt scold him. A good sign.
“Apologies,” he said, grinning. “Lost my head.”
They resumed work as if nothing had happened. Days passed without another moment alonealways someone nearby. Then, on Friday, as they packed up, Edward ventured:
“May I call you this weekend?”
“No,” she said quickly, then hesitated. “Better if I call you.”
His heart leapt. “Ill wait.”
But Saturday brought no call. Nor Sunday. That evening, when he finally rang, she answered in a whisper: “Dont call me. Ill Ill ring you.”
Mondays dawn broke with her voice on the line instead of his alarm.
“Edward, are you free? May I come over?”
He nearly vaulted from bed. “Youre alone?”
“Yes. Ill drive.”
Coffee brewed but went undrunk. At the door, her eyes told him everything. He kissed her before she could speakno time for greetings. Later, in his kitchen, she sipped coffee and remarked, “Max leaves for work much earlier.” Edward stiffened. Must she mention him now?
“Your flats cosy,” she added. “The coffees lovely.”
They arrived at the office minutes apart, just in time. Edward braced for suspicion, but no one glanced twiceexcept Thomas.
“Youre late today. Usually beat me in.”
“Ah, well.” Edward shrugged.
Mornings became theirs. An hour here, a stolen Saturday when Max visited his parents cottage.
“Stay forever,” Edward murmured once, tracing her shoulder.
“I cant.”
“Why?”
“Because I cant.”
He bit back frustration. She needed time. Yet the secrecy wore on him. One morning, he broached the inevitable.
“Lillian, leave him. Marry me. This half-life is madness.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a son. Ten years old. Self-sufficientthats why I can slip away. Did you think me childless?”
Edward faltered. “Id raise him as my own.”
“Max would never allow it.”
The meetings grew shorter. Edward tired of predawn alarms, of love confined to stolen hours. Finally, he set his jaw.
“End it with him, or we end this.”
Her smile was sad. “Then we end it.”
She left. Edward soon took up with another womanfree, but not loved as Lillian had been. Some loves, he decided, come but once. Between torment and peace, he chose the latter. Better that way.
