Elspeth tackled the large things first. When she had finished packing the wedding gifts she put the box in the hall and called the transport firm to say she was ready. Arthur sulked in the kitchen as she left, and while she drove behind the van to a new life he contemplated what might have been.
Elspeth's new home seemed larger than it had on settlement day, especially with the walls painted white and with her few pieces of furniture scattered around. She could hardly wait to go furniture shopping. She could finally choose things she wanted, without argument, without needing Alfred's approval. The whole world was at last at her fingertips.
The days, her life... languished in front of her. There was little joy to be found, even in the small things. The birds sang outside, waiting to be fed. The dog waited at the front door, but her heart was lonely and she didn't hear them. Then the phone rang. She was alive again.
He looked at her. She looked at him. Nothing. Nothing. The way forward - to quote a Prime Minister and a sister-in-law's emails - was to forgive the past, but not forget it. Having decided that, she put on her best shoes and her bright red lipstick and walked out into the sunshine.
She wondered if she could trust her this time. She hoped so, but her instincts told her otherwise. And her heart sank when the girl scuttled out the back way, making a secretive, silent escape and the future, and their relationship, was in grave danger.
"Words are sacred... If you get the right ones in the right order you can nudge the world a little." TOM STOPPARD
ReplyDeleteElspeth tackled the large things first. When she had finished packing the wedding gifts she put the box in the hall and called the transport firm to say she was ready.
ReplyDeleteArthur sulked in the kitchen as she left, and while she drove behind the van to a new life he contemplated what might have been.
Elspeth's new home seemed larger than it had on settlement day, especially with the walls painted white and with her few pieces of furniture scattered around. She could hardly wait to go furniture shopping. She could finally choose things she wanted, without argument, without needing Alfred's approval. The whole world was at last at her fingertips.
ReplyDeleteThe days, her life... languished in front of her. There was little joy to be found, even in the small things. The birds sang outside, waiting to be fed. The dog waited at the front door, but her heart was lonely and she didn't hear them. Then the phone rang. She was alive again.
ReplyDeleteHe looked at her. She looked at him. Nothing. Nothing. The way forward - to quote a Prime Minister and a sister-in-law's emails - was to forgive the past, but not forget it. Having decided that, she put on her best shoes and her bright red lipstick and walked out into the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteShe wondered if she could trust her this time. She hoped so, but her instincts told her otherwise. And her heart sank when the girl scuttled out the back way, making a secretive, silent escape and the future, and their relationship, was in grave danger.
ReplyDelete