Revenge in Installments
Edith Long had always been infamous for her insatiable curiosity. She loved to know everything about everyone and seized every opportunity to sniff out the latest gossip. Today, her attention was caught by Daisy, who was just about to leave her flat. The old woman, ever quick on her feet, immediately approached Daisy with a feigned look of concern.
So then, you and Tom had a row, did you?
Daisy barely suppressed a sigh. She knew full well that Edith wouldnt let up until she extracted at least some morsel of news. Daisy kept her composure and replied sweetly,
Whatever makes you think that, Edith? In her mind, though, she was begging, Oh please, just go back inside! Im mentally shoving you into your little flat and nailing the door shut! Theres no escape!
Doing her best to hide her irritation, Daisy added with a gentle smile,
Were absolutely fine, actually. In fact, were thinking about filing the paperwork soon.
Ediths brows shot up and her tone sharpened, the edge of sarcasm unmistakable.
Oh, really? How unexpected! When things were dandy with my dear Colin, he didnt move his stuff out of the flat all at once, mind you.
A cold knot twisted in Daisys stomach. She knew where Edith was driving at, but had no plans to hand her more gossip. Pulling herself together, Daisy replied with deliberate calm,
You must have got the wrong end of the stick. He was probably just sorting the cupboardbeen piling up all sorts in there for ages.
Daisy had almost made it up the next flight when Ediths voice echoed again. The old lady clearly wasnt letting her off the hook so easilyher eyes sparkled with malicious glee, like she was holding onto an ace and just waiting to play it.
Yes, of course, Edith drawled, her voice thick with schadenfreude. One always carts out rubbish in suitcases, and carefully packs it in the car. Silly me for not realising.
Daisy paused on the step and gripped her bag, refusing to turn round. She knew that even a flicker of annoyance would make Edith feel triumphant. Drawing in a breath, Daisy slowly swivelled and forced a neutral expression onto her face.
Has it ever occurred to you, Edith, that perhaps youre being a bit spiteful? Daisy shrugged, feeling her patience fray, and climbed on. Goodbye.
But Edith wasnt done. Her piercing voice followed Daisy almost all the way to her door.
Run along then, my girlthough its a bit late for that! Tom didnt leave by taxi, you know. A stunning blonde picked him up. Ill tell you bluntly, you cant compete.
Daisy closed her eyes briefly, keys digging into her palm. Dont respond! If she so much as uttered a word, shed be stuck for another half hour, and the last thing she wanted was to feed the rumour mill. Mustering the last of her willpower, she slipped into her flat and clicked the door firmly shut.
She tried not to dwell on Ediths words. Who knows what goes on in the mind of a lonely elderly woman? Daisy thought. She probably watches too many soap operas and now confuses fiction with reality. She recalled all too well how nosy Edith wasalways poking into everyones business and spinning a tale out of the tiniest detail.
Toms not like that Daisy insisted silently. Hed never just walk out on me. Would he? A dull ache grew in her chestshe batted it away. No, thats just gossip. Tom loves me. We had plans
The flat was quiet, but the silence was quickly disturbed in the best possible way. From round the corner came a fluffy white ball of energy. Snowdrop, her cat and little snowstorm, dashed over and chirruped incessantly. Her bright emerald eyes sparkled, her tail twitched with impatience.
Snowdrop! Daisy smiled warmly, scooping up her pet. The cat immediately nestled in, purring and nudging under Daisys chin. Are you hungry? Has no one fed my little dear?
Daisy gave her a gentle stroke, feeling some of her tension ebb away. Snowdrop continued to mew, glancing pointedly at the kitchen, which made Daisy laugh.
There, there, sweetheart, she cooed as she headed for the food cupboard. Well scold that irresponsible Tom together! Lets fill your bowl and then figure out what hes up to.
She set Snowdrop down by her dish and scattered out some fresh biscuits. The cat devoured her dinner, pausing from time to time to check Daisy was still there, as if worried shed vanish again. Sitting nearby, Daisy watched her eat and felt a little lighter. With Snowdrop beside her, even the most troubling thoughts seemed less daunting.
Still, anxiety nagged at her. Tom never neglected the cateven if Snowdrop annoyed him, he always topped up her bowl. Sometimes hed even overfill it, just to avoid her pestering him.
Daisy well remembered what happened when Tom came homeSnowdrop would wind round his legs, meowing until he gave in. Leave her hungry and shed turn into a regular menacefur all over his new jeans, puddles in his slippers, or claws in his hands. Tom would laugh at her tricks, but avoided crossing her if he could.
Watching Snowdrop munch away, Daisy couldnt shake her disquiet. Why is today different? Why didnt Tom feed her like usual? Ediths words circled again, and Daisy stood abruptly. She needed to check for herself.
She headed to the bedroom and opened the wardrobe. Her heart sank. The shelves, usually stuffed with Toms things, looked nearly empty. A few forgotten shirts hung in the corner, but the rest was gone. Daisy ran her hand along the hangers, hoping she was mistaken. But the truth was glaringhis things had vanished.
A new thought flashed: The neighbour was right Daisy closed the wardrobe and slumped against it. The silence that followed was oppressive. Snowdrop, having finished dinner, padded over and gently rubbed her head against Daisys leg, as if to comfort her. But Daisy barely noticed. Her thoughts racedwhere was Tom, and what did it mean?
Then her phone beeped. The sharp sound cut through the heaviness, making her jump. With trembling fingers, Daisy reached for her mobile, anxiety knotting her stomach. The screen lit up: Tom.
She opened the message. There were just a few words, but they sank her heart and stole her breath.
Im done with you. Its over.
Daisy stood still, as if the world had stopped. The only thing in her mind was the echo of those merciless words, looping again and again. She gripped the phone and whispered, barely audible,
So, too much of a coward to say it to my face?
Her legs buckled. Daisy slumped onto the sofa, the phone slipping from her hand onto the cushion. At that moment, Snowdrop came bounding in. The cat leapt onto her lap and butted her head against Daisys arm, as if ordering: Tickle meright now is my time!
A sad, dry laugh broke from Daisybitter through the sting of tears. She hugged the furry troublemaker tightly, burying her face in the soft fur. Normally, Snowdrop hated drawn-out cuddles and would wriggle away, but tonight she stayed put, purring gently, as if to say she understood that Daisy desperately needed comfort.
Daisy stroked her, warmth slowly thawing the numbness inside. Tears welled up, but she didnt bother to hide them. She simply sat there, clutching her fluffy friend, gently whispering,
So what do we do now, Snowdrop?
The cat responded with a soft purr, as if to say, Im here. Its going to be all right.
**********************
A year later.
Daisy is curled up in her lounge under a cosy tartan throw. Steam rises from a cup of tea on the table; a half-read paperback novel balances open in her lapa distraction from the evening stillness that lately feels especially heavy. The clock on the wall shows eleven. At this time, shes usually preparing for bed, since tomorrows another early morning in the office.
Its precisely then that the phone ringsloud and insistent, shattering the calm and making Daisy jump. Grumbling, she glances at her phone on the side table.
Who on earth calls at this hour? she mutters. No decent person would bother anyone at this time of night.
But the phone doesnt stop. One ring after another, curt and demanding, as if the caller has no intention of respecting boundaries. Daisy frowns, irritation bubbling up. Whoever it is clearly hasnt grasped the concept of other peoples time or peace and quiet.
Oh, for goodness sake, she says, snatching the phone. Maybe its an emergency
She answers crisply,
Hello?
Hi Daisy, its been ages. How are you? A familiar voice floats through.
Daisys heart skips a beat and then thuds faster. She could never forget that voice, however hard shed tried to erase it. Tom. The very Tom whod walked out of her life a year ago, leaving only a hollow ache behind.
She gripped the phone harder, forcing herself to stay calm. Spiralling questions spun in her head: Why is he calling now? What does he want? Why tonight? Her reply is cool:
What do you want?
She keeps her tone flat, businesslike. Inside, her nerves jangleda whole year had passed! Shed convinced herself she was over him, that shed let go and rebuilt her world from scratch. Now, with his voice in her ear, every carefully-built wall threatened to crumble.
What do you want, Tom? she repeated, precise and frosty.
There was a pause, Tom apparently searching for the right words. Then he started, his tone soft and laced with guilt, the kind that made Daisys chest tighten:
You know, Daisy, Ive been thinking. I handled things very badly. Im not making excuses, but I was going through something really difficult and didnt want to drag you into it. He paused, as if waiting for Daisy to break and console him, to ask what had happened. But she stayed silent, so he carried on, And I never stopped loving you. Its all sorted now, and honestly I want us to start again.
Daisy closed her eyes, fighting off a bitter chuckle. Something difficult She actually knew perfectly well what his problems werea simple desire for a more glamorous girlfriend. Shed seen him once, by chance, with that blondewell-dressed, expensive hair, the works. Tom had looked away, guilty, as shed walked past.
She didnt bother to tell him any of this now. Instead, she drew out her words, tone measured:
And youre sure Im still single?
Her voice was cool, almost indifferent. She imagined Tom freezing at the other end, rethinking his scriptmaybe worrying shed moved on. Maybe he was too late.
She let the silence hang. For once, the power was hers. Last year hed disappeared without a word; now he buzzed back, talking about love, asking for another go.
You love me too, Daisyso you wouldnt swap me for anyone else! Tom spoke as if it was an indisputable truth, too sure of his ground. Daisy nearly snorted. Hed left no room for doubt, no possibility that anything had changed in a year.
Someones quite sure of himself, she replied, teasingly. She almost hung up, tired of this odd conversation that only reopened old wounds. But suddenly a new idea flared in her mindbright and tempting.
She paused, choosing her tone with care,
You know, we could give it another go.
Tom fell silent in disbelief, then answered, his voice trembling with relief and hope,
Really? Are you saying yes?
Daisy narrowed her eyes, gazing out at the deepening dusk. Her voice became all business, like she was setting out the rules of a contract:
But we start overproperly. Dinners out, flowers, gifts, all the rest. I want to know youre serious, that this isnt just loneliness talking. And if it all goes well, we move in together in a month. Deal?
There was a pause while Tom mulled it over, counting the cost, debating whether it was too much effort. She had the feeling he was about to quibble. Instead, he blurted out:
Of course! You wont regret it!
He sounded genuinely enthusiastic. Daisy almost laughed.
I wonder, she pondered, how long hell keep this up. Will a month be enough for him to realise he doesnt want any of it?
She had no intention of actually giving him a second chance. This was her experiment, a way to settle things completely and close the door once and for allso she’d never need to ask herself, But what if?
Fine, she said evenly. Lets arrange our first date. Tomorrow at seven, the café where we first had coffee together. Remember?
I remember! Ill be there. Daisy, I cant tell you how happy I am
She didnt let him finish. She pressed end, set the phone down, and took a deep breath. The flat was quiet again, but the silence felt calm and empowering this time. Daisy smiled, genuine and bright. Tomorrow, a new act would beginand she would be steering it, no longer the abandoned girl, but the one in charge
*********************
Tom tried his very best to appear the perfect boyfriend. Every day, he forced himself to do things hed once dismissed as nonsense. He bought extravagant bouquets, booked tables at trendy restaurants, patiently listened to Daisy discuss paintings at art exhibitions. He clenched his jaw whenever she suggested a theatre trip or a walk in the park, but he smiled, nodded, and consented.
Its just a month, he told himself. Then things will go back to normal.
He watched his money drain away fast. Mentally, he counted up his weekly spending it was a considerable sum. But Tom convinced himself it was an investment. Hed win Daisy back, show her hed changed, he was ready for commitmentand once hed achieved that, hed work out how to quietly end things.
He endured her tastes, her routines, her constant talk about the future. Though it all ground on his nerves.
How much longer are we talking about those blasted curtains? hed think, watching Daisy leaf through catalogues, enthusiasm in every gesture. As if were actually going to live together for long.
Out loud, though, hed just smile. Yes, whichever you like, lets pick the nicest ones.
At last, the month was up. Their final date as boyfriend and girlfriend before they were officially a couple living together. Tom looked at the calendar, the day inked in red. Relief warred with anxiety: soon he could drop the act and stop spending moneybut would Daisy get suspicious?
Hed been counting down, but not for the reasons Daisy expected. He was sick of the expensive dates, pretending to enjoy her hobbies. What he wanted most of all was an end to cooking and cleaning for himself, and a bit more affection. Daisy would do as a stopgapuntil someone better came along.
A couple of months living together, he mused as he tightened his tie, then well see. Theres no way Im putting up with Daisy forever.
He checked the timeit was nearly seven. In his pocket was a little velvet ring box. Not a real ring, of coursea cheap imitation for show.
Ill propose to make it look official, Tom rehearsed in his head. Shell go all gooey and start planning a weddingmeanwhile Ill keep my options open.
One last check in the mirrorhair in placeand out the door he went. Tonight, everything would change
**************************
Tom waited at the window table in the same café where, one month ago, Daisy had agreed to start again. Hed arrived early and chosen a seat by the glass so hed see her the moment she entered. He fiddled with the velvet ring box, placed on the table; beside him lay a huge bouquet of roses, showy and ostentatious.
Time ticked on. Daisy was well overdue. Tom grew increasingly irritated, eyes darting toward the door.
Whats keeping her? he fumed. She made such a fuss about this bloody meeting
He fished for his phone, rang hervoicemail, no answer. He sent a couple of texts: nothing.
Half an hour passed before his phone finally pinged. He grabbed it, hoping for some explanationbut all it said was:
Youve let me down. Youre not the man you once were. Goodbye.
Rage flared, white hot. Without thinking, Tom hurled his phonescreen-firstonto the cafés polished tiles. It struck with a solid clunk, spiderweb cracks splintering across the glass. He didnt care. He grabbed the roses and jammed them into the nearest bin, the petals once so proud now mangled among the rubbish.
How dare she ditch me! he howled, oblivious to the stares of the other customers. He simmered with anger, humiliation and confusion. Hed invested so muchtime, money, the actand now shed just evaporated, not even a chance to explain or beg.
Daisy, meanwhile, stood not far off, shielded by a spreading chestnut tree. Shed seen it allTom checking his phone, fidgeting, phoning and texting, then, at the end, smashing the bunch of roses. Watching him fly into a rage, a small smile crept onto Daisys lips.
Over the past month, a lot had become clear. First, shed just wanted to see if Tom was truly serious. But little by little, she spotted the crackshis forced laughter, the flash of annoyance in his eyes whenever she suggested anything he disliked. Shed even overheard him on the phone to a mate, thinking she was out of earshot. From his words, it was obvious: he was simply biding his time until someone more suitable turned up.
Her heart had clenched in pain, yes. But with it came a new clarity: she didnt want to be someones backup plan.
And so, shed devised her own plan. Let Tom have a taste of what shed endureda whole year ago, waiting, hoping, only to get silence and a kick in the teeth.
Now, watching him boil over, Daisy felt not triumph but peace and relief. At last, that chapter of her life was closed.
They do say revenge is a dish best served cold, she thought as she turned away. Ahead lay her new lifefree from lies, from pretence, and from a man whod never truly valued her at allAs Daisy stepped away from the café, the gentle dusk wrapped around her like an old friend. For the first time in a long while, her heart felt lightno longer weighed down by what-ifs or regrets. The city lights shimmered ahead, each glow full of quiet promise.
She crossed the square, hands tucked casually in her coat pockets, feeling the sort of thrill one gets just after a thunderstormthe air scrubbed clean, the paths washed clear. She thought of Snowdrop waiting at home, likely perched on her favorite chair, tail flicking, ears tuned for the sound of Daisys steps. The thought brought a real smile, soft and hopeful, to her lips.
Tomorrow would come with all its ordinary challenges, but for tonight, she was freeno longer tethered to old hurts or unfinished business. Her revenge, measured and subtle, hadnt been about punishing Tom, but about reclaiming her own narrative, her own joy.
She glanced back just once, a fleeting look over her shoulder at the café where it all began and ended. In the window, Tom hunched over the table, alone and small, the remains of his act scattered before him. Daisy felt no bitterness, only a gentle certainty that she had chosen the storys ending herself.
Turning away, she walked on, each step gathering new possibilitiesa weekend trip shed book just for herself, a painting class shed try alone, a new friend she might meet in the lift. With each stride, lifes broad horizon rolled wider and brighter.
As Daisy neared her street, she caught sight of Edith at her window, curtain twitching. Rather than annoyance, Daisy felt only amusement. Let her gossip, let stories spinshe had her own life to live, and this chapter, finally, was hers alone.
Unlocking her door, Daisy was greeted by Snowdrops jubilant meow, as if welcoming her home to a world untouched by spite or sorrow. Daisy scooped her up, laugheda clear, bright soundand whispered into warm fur, Ready for our next adventure?
Somewhere far behind, yesterday became nothing more than a scene fading in the rearview. Ahead waited the unknown, glittering and real, hers for the taking.
And with that, Daisy stepped into her eveningno longer carrying heartbreak, but hope.
