August 2012
Steve looked at his wife of four years in amazement. 'What do you mean you want a divorce?' He put the paper down on the coffee table making sure the sports pages were not creased and stood up. He towered over Kathy but she was not intimidated by his size and never had been, in fact she had always felt protected when she was with him. 'Well, are you going to explain that announcement?'
Kathy twirled a finger in her long blonde hair, something she was prone to do in difficult situations. 'I think it's for the best. You love football more than you love me, you go off on golfing holidays with Bob and Jack, you never discuss anything with me before you do things, like changing the car or buying new golf clubs or having a haircut.'
'Having a hair cut!' interrupted Steve, 'Since when have I needed to tell you I was having a hair cut or a shave or a shower or change my socks.' He sat down in the chair shaking his head. 'This is madness. I can't believe we're having a conversation like this.'
'And that's another thing we never have conversations.' Kathy said, determined not to shout, stamp her feet or cry. 'When we go out we are never alone. Bob and Judy are always conveniently at the restaurant at the same time, and if it's not them its Jack and whatever bimbo he's cavorting with. I'm fed up playing second fiddle.'
Steve got up and crossed to her, 'Kathy I love you. I know, let's go out tonight, just you and me. I promise not to tell Bob where we . . .'
'That's what I mean.' said Kathy, trying to keep her emotions under control. 'You have to mention them. It's as though you can't bear to be on your own with me. Do I put my friends before you? No. Do I consult them when we go out? No. Do I ask them to tag along? No. So why do you?' With that Kathy picked up a bag she had hidden behind the sofa and her parting shot was, 'I'm going to stay with mum tonight so you can have a think about things.'
Steve pushed open the lounge door of The Bow and Arrow and was assaulted by a cacophony of noise and realized it was a Friday night. 'Steve, Steve over here,' shouted Rob. Steve wound his way between the crowded tables.
'What are you having? And where's Kathy?'
'Scotch on the rocks and it's a long story'. Bob pushed his way to the bar and ordered the drinks hoping Steve was ok. Back at the table Bob looked at his best friend and said, 'What's up mate?' Steve savoured a mouthful of scotch. 'Kathy had a hissy fit about me and her never being on our own and how I think I'm still single. Mate my marriage is like this drink, on the rocks!'
'Well,' said Bob, 'we will have to do something about this. Judy had a headache but she might join us later. Speak of the devil. Hello my lovely, we've got a bit of a problem . . .'
'Not we mate. Me,' interjected Steve. 'Hello Judy. Look Bob, fill Judy in, I'm going home to find a solution and please, whatever you do don't phone me or Kathy, this is something I need to do on my own.'
Three hours and four cups of strong coffee later Steve thought he had cracked it but decided to wait until the morning to see Kathy.
Steve pulled into the car park of the Causeway Hotel and glancing at Kathy said 'It was the best I could do at short notice.' Kathy sighed and turning to Steve she kissed him on the cheek saying it was perfect. Their room was huge with a large four poster bed, the window overlooking the beach below, and as Kathy unpacked the bag Steve had brought for them both she turned to him, twirled her hair and said, 'Steve there's something I've got to tell you.'
'Not now, Kath, I need to apologise and I promise we will spend more time on our own, do more things together, but right now I think we should test the bed out.'
After a delicious dinner of sea bass followed by Kathy's favourite Eton Mess for pudding they strolled down to the beach. It was a beautiful evening, a mass of stars floating above in the navy sky, the sea continuous in it's never ending quest to beat upon the rocks. Steve pulled Kathy down onto the still warm sand and said, 'What was it you wanted to tell me?'
'Steve you are going to be a daddy and my hormones are all over the place and I'm sorry I walked out on you.'
' What? You're pregnant and you didn't tell me?'
'Steve I've just told you.'
Steve stood up and lifted Kathy into his arms, 'We are going to be the best parents ever and if it's a boy I'm going to call him Robert Jack.'
'Steve . . .' but she was being kissed and hugged.
'That is if you agree of course.'