So, listen, Tom comes tearing into the flat, absolutely out of breath, because hes just had this frantic phone call from Alice. He bursts in and literally just grinds to a halt because he sees her standing there by the door, suitcase in hand. She looks completely washed out, eyes all red but determined, you know that look.
She just says, barely above a whisper, Im leaving. She gives him this soft peck on the cheek, like one of those touches you barely feel, and goes, I dont want to be in the way anymore. Not for you, not for your mum. Goodbye, Tom. I hope you find happiness.
Hes just staring at her, totally lost. Alice, what on earth are you on about? Whats this got to do with my mum?
She knows about that night. Everything that happened between us.
Tom looks away, runs a hand through his hair, does that tense rub at his neck. Bloody hell how did she find out?
She read the letter I left. The day when when I took the pills.
Hang on a minute, he frowns. You said that wasnt about
I lied. I wanted to spare you, didnt want you to worry. But your mum doesnt want me here. Shes scared youll marry me. And well, she offered money. To me and my mum. If Id just go away.
He just gawps at her, shock written all over his face. Youre joking She gave you MONEY?
She tried to, yes. But we both turned her down. I could never take that. So this is itI have to go. Its better for everyone.
He grabs her suitcase and shoves it aside, says, Alice, Im not letting you go anywhere. Im not letting you disappear from my life.
I dont have a choice, Tom. You need to understand, my mum knows everything now too. She reckons Ive ruined my life said shed rather be dead than have to face this. If we dont get married, shell never let you alone. And your mum hates me. Aunt Rachel looks at me like Im something nasty on her shoe. No one here wants me. If I leave, at least you all get some peace.
Tom moves closer, looking her right in the eyes. Alice I wont leave you. Well work it out. Your mum, my mumtheyll both calm down. Well figure it out together.
She whispers, and theres just a flicker of hope in her voice, Does that mean well get married?
Theres this silence that feels like it drags on forever. Shes got that look, as if her whole world hangs on what hes about to say.
He holds her hand, and in her head she can almost hear those words shes been dreaming about for ages, the ones shes played through her mind night after night: Since that night, I havent been able to get you out of my head. Ive fallen for you, Alice. Youre in my heart, always. I can see you wherever I go. I love you. Marry me. Be my wife.
But thats all in her imagination. The real Tom, right in front of her, just stands there silent. And when he finally speaks, his voice is chilly, distant: Of course were not getting married, Alice. We cant. Thats never going to happen.
The quiet after that hurts more than if hed actually shouted at her. She bows her head and bites her lip, then picks up her suitcase again, slow and heavy, like its some kind of ritual. Doesnt say a word, but its all there.
Shes at the door now, suitcase out the door but her fingers gripping the handle like if she lets go, shes lost for good.
Tom half-steps forward, his voice all raspy and rough, as if dragging the words up from inside him. Listen I cant ask you to marry me. Not now. Not because I dont want you, but because it would bewell, it would just be a lie for the sake of keeping the peace. And between us, there have been enough lies already.
She freezes, doesnt look back, doesnt step forward either.
He carries on, much softer now, I dont love you the way you deserve. Maybe I never will. But I dont want to lose you. Not because of my mum. Not your mum. Not that night, not the money. If you walk out now, itll look like you lost. But you havent lost, Alice. Youre just tired of being strong for both of us.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she turns her head back. In her eyes theres no hope, not even hurtjust something icy and clear.
So what are you suggesting? she asks, almost flat. That I stick around and become your mate? Your misery companion? A living reminder of what you couldnt do?
He finally holds her gaze, really looks at her for the first time all evening.
Im suggesting you leave. But not to run awaynot to vanish. Just leave this place, to somewhere new. Somewhere nobody knows our past, our mums, that one night, none of our debts. Come with me. Not as my wife. Not as the love of my life. Just together. To see if we could ever be the kind of people who dont hate ourselves for whats happened.
The silence after that is massive.
And then Alice drops the suitcase handle. It thunks quietly on the hallway floor.
She steps back insidenot towards him. Just back in. The door stays open.
Give me a week, she says, calm as can be. A week to decide if I can risk everything all over again for someone who wont even promise he loves me.
Tom nods, just once, and it carries the weight of the world.
A week, he repeats.
He picks up her suitcase, brings it inside, just leaves it by the wall. Doesnt unpack it, just sets it down.
She looks at him for a long timelike shes really seeing him for the very first time.
And if in a week I say no will you let me go? No arguments?
He actually manages a tiny, lopsided, painful smilethe first honest one all night.
If you say no Ill carry your bag to the taxi myself. I wont even ask you to stay.
She nods, barely.
The door shuts behind themquiet this time, nothing final about it.
And in that quiet, theres a week.
Just a week.
And two people who are both so broken, finally giving time a chanceafter a very long spell of trying to hold each other up with bruised hearts.
North, Breathless After Bahar’s Urgent Call, Finds Her at the Door with a Suitcase—Pale, Tearful, Yet Resolute. She Whispers Goodbye, Refusing to Stand Between Him and His Mother, Declares She’s Leaving After His Mum Offered Her Money to Go, and Reveals Secrets That Shattered Their Trust. In the Hallway’s Heavy Silence, North Is Forced to Choose: An Impossible Love, a Marriage Built on Pressure, or Leaving It All Behind—But Bahar Demands a Week to Decide If She Dares Risk Her Heart Again for a Man Who Can’t Promise Her Love. One Week. Just One Week. Two Shattered Souls, an Open Door, and the Hope That Time Might Heal Where Love and Sacrifice Could Not.
