The Ex-Husband “Annie!” exclaimed a painfully familiar male voice from behind. Anna flinched, hunc…

Ex-Husband

Annie! a voice behind me exclaimed, so familiar it hurt.
I flinched, instinctively drawing my shoulders up, too nervous to turn around. Instead, I hurried my step along the pavement, hoping hed just let me be.
Annie, please, wait up! Its definitely you!
I quickened my pace, but a mans hand, not rough but firm, gently grabbed my shoulder.
Annie, are you deaf or something? Its me, Victor.
I summoned up my courage and spun around, whispering in disbelief,
Oh my goodness, Victor I thought I was just hearing things… But… how can this be? This cant be real…
What do you mean, cant be real? My ex-husband was grinning, that same lively, boyish smile from our younger days. Dont I have a right to come back to my hometown?
Where have you come back from? I just couldnt wrap my head around it. I was told youd died.
Died? Victors mouth twisted in shock. Me?
Well, yes. It was about six months after our divorce and youd moved to Liverpool. Your friend told me that you I paused and then finished quietly, That you drank yourself to death in a strange city, under some railway arch.
Who on earth said that?
Thomas did. Your closest mate. After you left, he started hanging about, acting like a peacock, trying to chat me up. But I put him in his place. Thats when he told me.
Hes a right piece of work, Victor laughed. I guess he wasnt joking when we last spoke.
What do you mean, joking?
Oh, he said, “Well now youve left Annie, Ill just step in.” Sort of sounded like a joke, but he never rang me after that, and wouldnt even answer my calls. I gave him my first flats number in a letter, but back then we only had landlines and letters, no social media. Ive no idea where he is now or what became of him.
He actually died, I shrugged. Quite some time ago. Must be five years since the funeral.
Fancy that… Victors face grew sombre. Died He still had years ahead, didnt he. We all did, really. Then he smiled again. Can you believe how long its been since we split up, and yet here you are, just the same. Beautiful as ever.
Oh, get on, I laughed and waved my hand dismissively. Completely ordinary.
I hear youre remarried. Victor looked at me as though he could never look enough. And youve got children now. Two, right?
Yes, two, I nodded, grinning. Theyre grown, flown the nest, got their own families now. Im actually a granny. Twice over.
Blimey! Hows your husband?
Hes doing just fine, I smirked, but with another woman. Im a free woman now.
I see, Victor nodded in understanding. We men can be such fools, always chasing something else, never realising what we really need is already right there beside us.
So, what brought you back? I asked. Business, or?
Im back for good, Annie. For good this time. He sighed. I buried my wife not long ago, and just felt it was time to come home. Really, I felt like I was suffocating there. The doctors said the climate was wrong for me, Im not getting any younger. Funny thing is, my wife she struggled with asthma too. I begged her to leave with me, knew we ought to move somewhere else, but she was born and bred in Liverpool, couldnt bear the idea of leaving. Always said a day outside her city was one too many. So Victors eyes glistened. Yeah Now I walk these old streets, thinking about which area to buy a flat in. The place has changed so much in thirty years. Any advice on where I should settle down?
Where are you staying right now? I asked.
In a B&B, where else?
No family to stay with?
Are you kidding? Victor grimaced. Wouldnt dream of it. Theyve all got their own lives. I hate being a burden, you know that. Id just be dropping in on them out of the blue. It just wouldnt feel right, and frankly, its a bit embarrassing for a bloke my age.
Would you fancy staying at mine? I blurted out, suddenly nervous, so I quickly added: As a lodger, of course.
Victor hesitated, a bit embarrassed himself, and gave a long sigh.
I might have liked that, Annie, but guilt stops me.
Guilt? What for?
Just ordinary guilt, Victor replied with a shrug. I did walk out thirty years ago after all. Ill always feel I owe you.
Oh, dont be daft, I smiled oddly. I basically pushed you into leaving. I was to blame. The things I said that night… any man wouldve walked.
I dont remember you saying anything awful, Victor shook his head stubbornly. If anything, I blame myself.
And what do you remember?
I remember storming out in a fit, packing my bag in a hurry and vanishing into the night. Of course, I regretted it afterwards, but by then it was too late.
I was actually glad youd gone at first, I laughed. Thought Id have a fresh start and I did until I started regretting it myself
Really? Victor asked softly. So youre not angry at me?
Of course not. I looked at my ex with affection, realising my heart suddenly felt light and happy, almost as it did all those years ago. You know, Victor, you really havent changed. Well, except your hairs gone a bit greyer. Move in with me. Tonight. Ive got a spare room all set. Dont eat that dreadful hotel food when you could have a proper meal. After all, ex-husband or not, youre still family in a way.
Are you sure I won’t be a burden?
If you were, would I be inviting you? Honestly, these evenings alone at home have me almost howling with boredom.
Well, if you say so, then Victor gently took my hand. Shall we swing by the B&B and pick up my suitcase?
The very same suitcase you left with, all those years ago?
We both burst out laughing and strode off side by side, down the busy pavement, feeling as if, after all this time, wed never truly been apartVictor laughed, the sound a little shakier than it used to be, but real all the same.

Believe it or not, yes. Scuffed up, handle patched with electricians tape, but shes made it through. Sometimes I swear shes held together with memories more than zippers.

We walked back the way Id just come, side by side, matching strides, the city dusk washing golden across the buildings and the ghost of our shared youth flickering between us. I felt myself smilingproper, honest smiling, not the polite sort you paste on for neighbours or checkout tellers. The streets smelled like coming rain and petrol, and for a moment, I was young again, foolish enough to believe leaving or staying was all that mattered.

At the B&B steps, Victor hesitated, suitcase in hand, his eyes shining with something close to hope.

Annie, he said quietly, do you think people ever get a second go? Not a do-over, mindit can never be the samebut something new, starting from all the things we once got wrong?

I put my hand over his on the battered handle, the weight of old regrets suddenly lighter for being shared.

I dont know, I answered, letting warmth fill my voice, but maybe this time, we start with honesty and see where it leads.

He squeezed my hand, and together we turned toward homenot toward the past, but whatever waited, patiently, in the soft light ahead.