Betrayal, Shock, Mystery.

Betrayal, Shock, and Secrets.

Natalie was preparing dinner when there was a knock at the door. *Strangethe doorbell works, and all our friends know that,* she thought as she opened it. A woman her own age stood there, studying her curiously.

“Good evening. Are you Natalie?” the unexpected visitor asked.

“Yes, and you are…? I dont believe weve met.”

“We havent. Im a close friend of your husbands.”

“Olivers?”

“Ollies,” the woman corrected.

“Ah, *that* familiar, are we? Cant say Im surprised. Though Ill admit, no ones ever just turned up unannounced like this before.”

“My names Helen. The thing is…”

“Relax, Helen. Let me guessyou and my husband are in love, and Im in the way?”

“How did you know?”

“Youre not the first to tell me. But dont worry, Im not keeping him. Take him today, if you like. Whats his excuse this time? That the children are too young? That he cant abandon me now?”

“No, nothing like that. I know your boys are grownuniversity students.”

“Then what? That Im ill, and hes just too decent to leave?”

“He didnt say that either.”

“Then what *did* he say?”

Helen hesitated. “He said we had to wait until your father passes.”

Natalie froze. Her father, barely seventy, was in excellent health.

“You must be mistaken.”

“No. Oliver said once your father was gone, hed leave you immediately.”

“Why not sooner? Is he afraid of my dad?”

“He respects him. But he said when the time comes, youll move into his flat.”

“*His* flat? The audacity! My fathers perfectly healthy, and I have no intention of moving. That flat is *my* inheritance, and I wont be handing it over!”

“But Oliver said it would go to himthat youd take the holiday home, the car, the garage…”

“Did he? And yet you couldnt wait for that grand plan, so here you are.”

“Im not getting any younger. I want my happiness now. I dont care if he has a flatwe can live at mine.”

“Fine. What do you want from me?”

“Just let him go. Thats all.”

“Take him.”

“Just like that?”

“Im not stopping him. I loved him once, hoped hed settle down, then stayed for the boys. Lately, I thought hed changed. Clearly, I was wrong.”

“So youll really let him go?”

“Absolutely. You can take his things now if youd like.”

“Oh no, I couldnt carry them. Oliver can fetch them when hes ready. Just promise you wont hold him back.”

“Dont worry. Ill file for divorce tomorrow, and well split everything fairlyexcept the flat. Thats mine, always has been. But youve got your own place, so no harm done.”

Helen left, and Natalie began packing Olivers things. She wouldnt argueshed make sure *he* walked out. Hed assume, as always, he could return whenever he pleased. Not this time.

*To think he was waiting for my father to die How vile. And its my faultturning a blind eye all these years. Well, no more. Off you go, Oliver. Live long and* Her thoughts trailed off as she neatly folded his clothes into suitcases.

When Oliver came home, he noticed nothing unusualjust that Natalie refused to eat with him. No matterhed have dinner, then go for his usual “evening stroll.”

“Darling, thanks for dinner. I think Ill take a walk.”

*Of course you will,* Natalie thought.

“Go ahead, *dear*. At your age, its good to get some fresh air.”

“My age? Whats that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, come now. Youre over fiftynot exactly young.”

“Excuse me? Im in my prime!”

“Are you? I wouldnt know. Weve slept in separate rooms for a year.”

“And?”

“Just saying, it happens at your age. Though Petermy friendhes your age, and hes doing just fine.”

“Who?”

“Peter. When you moved out, I thought, *Well, life goes on.* Youve lost interest, but Im still a vibrant woman. So Peter and I…”

“What? What Peter? What are you talking about?”

“Oh dear, its worse than I thought. Youve been absent as a husband for a yearjust a glorified flatmate. But I dont want that. Still, I feel sorry for you. Go on your walk, clear your head. Well talk later.”

“*Sorry* for me? Ill have you know”

“Spare me. Off you go.”

Oliver scowled. “A woman who thinks Im old doesnt deserve me. Pack my things. And dont expect forgivenessI could overlook this *Peter* nonsense, but pity? Never.”

“Already packed. Call if I missed anything. Go in peace. Though I suppose you wont be inheriting that flat after all.”

“What flat?”

“*This* one. Mine. Always was.”

“But I lived here 25 years!”

“Lucky you. Even the renovations were paid for by my parents. Dad kept all the receiptshes meticulous like that. So no, youve no claim here.”

Oliver grabbed a suitcase and stormed out, rushing to Helen, who welcomed him with open arms.

The next day, Natalie filed for divorce. Oliver didnt protestHelen doted on him, insisting he was young and virile. The court awarded him the car and garage; the holiday home went to Natalie.

She sold it and set off on trips with her fatherfirst to Edinburgh, then Brighton, then countless other places. Anthony Frederick, her father, was in splendid health and had no plans to depart this world anytime soon.

Six months later, Helen noticed Olivers “evening strolls” were lasting longer. She followed him once, then packed his bags and left them outside. When he returned, she wouldnt even open the door.

So Oliver trudged back to Natalies. He didnt care if she thought him old*Just give me a room,* he thought.

But the neighbours said she was awayoff travelling with her father again.

Now where? The garage, perhaps? He could install a heater, maybe even plumbing. Summer was cominghed manage.

Or perhaps there was another naïve woman out there. After all, he was still a young man.