Betrayal, Shock, Mystery: A Tale of Secrets and Scandal

Betrayal, Shock, and Secrets.

Natalie was preparing dinner when there was a knock at the door.
*How oddwe have a doorbell, and everyone we know uses it,* she thought as she answered. A stranger, a woman about her own age, stood there with an expectant look.

“Good eveningare you Natalie?” the woman asked.
“Yes, thats me. And you are?” Natalie replied, searching her memory.
“You wouldnt know me. Im a close friend of your husbands.”
“Olivers?”
“Ollies,” the woman corrected with a faint smile.
“Ah. Of course. Im not even surprised anymore. Though I will say, none of the others have ever turned up at my door unannounced. Usually, they call first. So, what should I call you?”
“My name is Grace Look, theres something I need to”
“Oh, dont fret, Grace. Are you and my husband in love? Am I standing in the way of your happiness?”
Grace blinked. “How did you?”
“Like I said, youre not the first. But go ontake him. I wont stop you. Whats his excuse this time? That our children are too young, and he cant abandon them?”
“No, nothing like that. I know your boys are grownuniversity students.”
“Then what? That Im ill, and hes too decent to leave me in my condition? Because as you can see, Im perfectly healthy.”
“No, he didnt say that either.”
“Then what? That hell lose his job if he divorces? Trust me, his boss couldnt care less about his marital status.”
Grace hesitated before blurting, “He said hes waiting for your father to pass away first.”

Natalie froze. Her father, Arthur, wasnt even seventy. He was fit, rarely ill, and certainly had no plans of departing anytime soon.
“You must be mistaken.”
“No. Ollie said once Arthur is gone, hell leave you immediately.”
“And why wait? Is he afraid of my dad? Because I assure you, Arthur wouldnt lift a finger to stop him.”
Grace shook her head. “Its not that. He respects your father. But he says once hes gone, youll move into his flat.”
Natalies laugh was sharp. “Excuse me? My father is in excellent health, and I have no intention of moving. That flat is mineinherited from my grandmother! The renovations were paid for by my parents, and Dad kept every receipt! Hes meticulous like that.”
Grace frowned. “But Ollie told me the flat would be his, and youd take the cottage, the car, and the garage.”
“Did he now? Interesting. So why didnt you wait until all this came to pass before marching over here?”
Grace sighed. “Im not getting any younger. I want to enjoy my happiness now. I dont care if Ollie has a flat or notwe can live with me.”
“How noble. So what exactly do you want from me?”
“Just let him go. Thats all.”
Natalie smirked. “Take him.”
Grace faltered. “What?”
“Im not stopping him. I never did. I loved him once, foolishly hoped hed change, then stayed for the boys. Lately, I thought his wandering days were over. Clearly, I was wrong.”
Grace brightened. “So youll really let him go? Honestly?”
“Absolutely. You can even take his things now if you like.”
“Oh no, I couldnt carry them. Ollie can collect them when hes ready. Just dont hold him back.”
“Dont worryhes free as of tonight. Ill even file for divorce tomorrow. Well split everything fairly. Though I wont be handing over the flat. My grandmother left it to me, and my parents kept every receipt for the renovations. Dads thorough like that. But youve got your own place, so its fine.”
Grace nodded eagerly. “Yes, Ollie wont be homeless.”
“I never worried about that. Hes always landed on his feet.”
“Goodbye, Natalie.”
“Goodbye, Grace. Lets not meet again.”

As Grace left, Natalie began packing Olivers belongings. She wouldnt argue with himshed make sure he left on his own. Hed assume, as always, that he could come back whenever he pleased. But this time things would be different.

*To think hed wait for my father to die so he could claim my flat. The audacity. And its my faultI turned a blind eye for years, letting him think he could do whatever he wanted. Well, no more. Youre done, Oliver. Run off to your Grace and live happily ever after*

When Oliver returned from work, he noticed nothing unusual. Natalie refused to eat with him, but he didnt mindhe was looking forward to his usual “evening walk” before slipping back home as if nothing had happened.

“Darling, dinner was lovely. I think Ill go for a stroll.”
*Go ahead,* Natalie thought.

“Of course, dear. Walking is good for men your age.”
Oliver bristled. “My age? Whats that supposed to mean?”
“Youre past fifty now. Not exactly young.”
“What? Im in my prime!”
“Are you? I wouldnt knowwe havent shared a bed in over a year.”
“So?”
“So, nothing. Just saying these things happen with age. Though my friend Petersame age as youhas no such issues. Funny how he keeps mentioning how much he misses me.”
“Who the hell is Peter?”
Natalie sighed dramatically. “See how bad your memorys gotten? I met him after you moved into the spare room. If youre done as a man, thats your business. But Im still a woman with needs.”
Olivers face twisted. “Youre mocking me!”
“Not at all. Go for your walk, clear your head. Well discuss our future when you return.”
“You *pity* me? A woman who thinks Im old has no right to be with me! Pack my thingsIm leaving. And dont expect me to forgive you!”
“Oh, your bags are already packed. Call if youve forgotten anything. Off you go. And dont hold your breath waiting for my father to drop dead.”
“Whats *that* supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just thinking aloud. Go on, dear. Ill file for divorceyou wont object, will you?”
“Me? Object? Just dont expect to keep everything.”
“Of course not. Though you seem to have forgotten the flat was never yours.”
“What?”
“Its mine. My grandmothers. You *did* live here rent-free for twenty-five years, though. Quite the arrangementeven the renovations were paid for by my parents. Dad kept all the paperwork. So no, you cant claim a share.”
Olivers face darkened. “We *always* went away when the work was being done!”
“Convenient, wasnt it? Dad signed all the contracts. So run along, Ollie. The courts will give you whats fair. Off to your new life, where youll be *appreciated*.”

Grabbing a suitcase, Oliver stormed out, heading straight for Graces. The next day, Natalie filed for divorce. Oliver didnt contest itGrace doted on him, constantly assuring him he was still young and virile. The judge awarded him the car and garage; the cottage went to Natalie.

She sold the cottage and took Arthur on a tripfirst to Edinburgh, then Brighton. They had so many places to see. Arthur was in excellent health and had no plans of departing this world anytime soon.

Six months later, Grace noticed Olivers “evening walks” were lasting longer than usual. She packed his things and left them outside. When he returned, she wouldnt even open the door.

With nowhere else to go, Oliver went back to Natalie. He didnt care if she thought he was old*Let her think what she wants, as long as she gives me a room.*

But the neighbors said she was awayanother trip with Arthur.

Oliver sighed. The garage would have to do. He had electricity, could rig up plumbing, maybe install a stove. It was late springhed survive the summer.

Then again perhaps there was another naive woman out there whod believe he was still a young man. He *was*, after all. Wasnt he?