He still hadnt arrived. Recently, hed been snowed under at work and was getting home later and later.
Helen tucked the children into bed and tiptoed to the kitchen for a proper cup of tea. John hadnt returned home yet. Of late, work had been gobbling him upovertime, exhaustion, the lotso his evenings ran fashionably late. Helen felt for him, truly. She tried to keep the home worries away from him; after all, he was the sole breadwinner.
Back when they married, theyd agreed Helen would hold down the fort and wrangle the future children, while John took care of keeping the coffers full. That arrangement resulted in three little darlings, one after the other. John was chuffed every single time, swearing blind hed happily fill a minibus with progeny.
Helen, for her part, had become rather weary of the never-ending carousel of nappies, formula bottles and sleepless nights. She decided it was time for a small break on the baby front.
John strode in well after midnight, radiating a suspiciously jolly mood. When Helen asked why he was late, he announced, Helen, we buried ourselves in work, so the lads and I thought wed nip out for a bit of a wind-down.
My love! she grinned. Come on, let me feed you!
No need. I had some chicken wings, utterly lost my appetite. Ill just head straight to bed.
Mothers Day was just around the corner. Helen, after convincing her own mum to babysit, went off to the shopping centre. She wanted to mark the day with something nice: a romantic dinner, just the two of them. Mum happily took the children.
Besides the standard items and a couple of gifts, Helen decided to treat herself. She hadnt bought anything in agesshe felt awkward asking John for money for clothes and had nowhere to wear them anyway. Her last purchase was a lounge set, but that wouldnt cut it for a dinner date. So, into a clothing shop she went, picking a few dresses before slipping into a changing room.
She was halfway through pulling on the second dress when she heard Johns unmistakable voice in the next cubicle:
Mmm, cant wait to see you out of that one!
This was followed by chiming giggles.
Patience, you cheeky thing! Go pick something for your wife, replied a light, sparkling voice.
Why would I? Shes up to her elbows in kids. They couldnt care less what shes wearingas long as they’re fed, changed, and their toys are tidied up! Ill get her one of those all-in-one cookers! Or maybe a breadmakerthatll make her day!
Helen felt a cold chill. She shrank back and listened harder through the thin partition.
But what if she asks where all the moneys gone? Those things arent that pricey, the young woman giggled.
Why should I explain how I spend my money? I work, she sits at home! I give her a tidy sum for the household, and thats enough! She ought to be grateful.
Their trying-on session seemingly finished, the voices drifted away. Peering out cautiously, Helen caught sight of her beloved husband at the till, paying alongside a peroxide blonde. After they paid, he had the gall to smack a kiss on the blonde in full view of the shop assistant.
Is everything all right, madam? the shop assistant asked, finding Helen still behind the curtain.
Yes, yes, all fine! Helen replied, thrusting back the dresses and scampering out.
At home, Helen let her mother go and put the children down for their naps. Thoughts whirred in her head. Shed never expected betrayal from Johnnot just that hed cheated, but that he dismissed everything she did for their family so easily. In an instant, everything shed built felt worthless. Part of her wanted to bolt to a solicitor immediately, but she paused to weigh things up.
If I divorce him, he swans off with Little Miss Sunshine, and Im left with the kids and no income. Child maintenance? Likely peanuts How on earth will we manage?
By evening, Helen made up her mind. John didnt dawdle with work that dayprobably met his mistress earlier, she decided coolly. All affection for him had evaporated; he was a stranger now. Her only concern was that he might expect intimacy, but she recoiled at the thought. Apparently, John had already been thoroughly entertained elsewhere; he didnt come near her.
The next day, Helen sharpened up her CV and sent it off to a host of recruiters. All she could do now was wait. Days slipped by in waiting. Every morning, she checked her inbox. Eventually, an email arrivedshe had an interview lined up at a company in town. Coincidentally, the very same firm John worked at. Helen hesitated, but realised she had to press on.
With Mum babysitting, Helen went for the interview. After two hours of polite grilling, they offered her a decent position with flexibility to boot. The salary wasnt hefty, but it was enough to keep the lights on and the kids fed.
Helen floated home on a cloud of relief. Her mother, seeing her so radiant, prodded with questions.
Mum, Johns seeing someone else! Helen chirped, almost gleeful. Her mother, fearing her daughter had snapped under pressure, bundled her onto the sofa.
Helen, how can you say such a thing? Johns hardly ever homehes always at work!
Hes not! Hes out with his girlfriend! Helen explained everything from the changing room episode. Her mum, absorbing the tale, asked, What now?
Ill file for divorce! And Ive landed a jobflexible hours! Next, Ill apply for nursery places and once the little ones are settled, Ill go full-time!
I wont stop you! Betrayal isnt to be forgiven. Frankly, he doesnt even see you as a person anymore. Ill help with the children!
Thank you, Mum! Helen hugged her fiercely.
On the evening of 9th March, John blundered in after midnight yet again. Helen didnt say a word. Bemused by her indifference, John launched into his standard excuse
Helen, got caught up with the lads again
Helen cut in, telling him curtly to go to bed.
Next morning in the kitchen, while Helen prepared breakfast for the children, John presented his grand gift: a breadmaker.
Darling, to make home life easier! he beamed, leaning in for a kiss. Helen sidestepped, rose from her chair and said:
Ive got a present for you, too!
Perplexed, John followed her to the hallway. Helen pointed at two hefty suitcases standing by the stairs.
Were getting divorced! No need for you to make up elaborate stories to cover your dalliances anymore.
How did you find out? John stammered.
I heard it all in the changing roomswhen you were buying your new flame a present. And you can give her the breadmaker tooI dont want it!
Caught red-handed and minus his family, John lost his rag.
Jealous, are you? Shes beautiful, vibrant, she takes care of herselfunlike you! Youve let yourself go, stuck at home with the kids, living off my money! Its none of your business what I buy, or for whom! You materialistic wife!
Dont care, Helen replied serenely, Kindly leave.
The next day, Helen filed for divorce and child support. A week later, there was ferocious banging at the door. Her mother-in-law glared from the threshold, skipping pleasantries.
Grabby gold-digger! Drove my son out and now youre after his money! Stop the child support immediately! Youre not entitled!
Its not for me, its for his childrenthe ones he wanted, remember? Helen retorted. If his girlfriend suffers because of it, thats her problem. Hes as much a parent as I am!
What will you do without his money? You had those kids so you could sponge off him forever! But it wont work! Hell get his boss to drop his salary on paper and youll get next to nothing! Then youll come begging!
I doubt it! Helen said, holding the front door. Now please leave, unless you want the police involved!
Hurling curses, her mother-in-law stormed off. Within months, her children began securing nursery places, and once the youngest was settled in, Helen returned to full-time work.
Hi there! a familiar voice greeted her at her desk.
Sorry, John, Im up to my eyeballs, Helen replied without looking up.
Maybe we could have lunch sometime? he pressed on. Helen finally raised her head, taking in her ex-husbands hollow-eyed exhaustion. She knew his blonde, hearing about the child maintenance, had promptly chucked him out. But that didnt matter anymore.
No, John. Were not having this conversation, and were not doing lunch.She shrugged, turning back to her laptop. Some things cant be fixed with lunch, John.
He stood there, as if expecting more, but Helen just typed on, her mind already running through the childcare pickups and tomorrows morning meeting. At last, he walked away.
Outside the office windows, spring sunlight shone on the citythe world, she realised, was much larger than the shrinking confines of her old life. That evening, as she collected the children, they ran to her with shrieks of delight, arms outstretched. Helen hugged them fiercely, feeling the rough edges of the past give way to something softer, fuller.
They cooked dinner together, flour dusting the floor, music playing in the background. For the first time in years, Helen laughedan easy, bubbling thing. Later, when everyone was asleep, she sat quietly at the kitchen table, a cup of tea steaming in her hands. The breadmaker still sat boxed under the counter; its label, untouched, caught the lamplight.
Helen smiled, realizing she didnt need itnot because she wouldnt bake, but because she could choose when and whether she wanted to. The future was hers, uncertain and bright, spread out like a new dayone she was finally ready to shape, for herself and for her children.
