‘So, it’s my fault?’
‘This isn’t about fault, sugar, it’s about vibration. Morality is subjective. When we don’t feel worthy or good enough, we start to project that on to other people. If I feel like crap then other people must feel that way about me too, right? Why didn’t you feel good enough?’
Patricia’s voice starts to tremble. ‘The older I got the less interested he became. He worked with women half my age and they loved him. He’s a very handsome, charismatic man!’
Will and I glance at each other, wondering if we’re looking at the same man as Patricia. Each to their own, I guess?
Anna then turns to Kenneth who by now looks terrified and is undoubtedly wishing he’d kept his mouth shut.
‘Why did you choose to cheat?’ she asks bluntly. ‘Because it was a choice.’
Kenneth slinks down in his chair a little. ‘I just thought, if she’s accusing me of cheating, then—’
‘Well, that’s bullshit,’ Anna replies. ‘What was lacking in YOU that made you go elsewhere? Patricia’s already owned her part, now it’s your turn.’
‘She changed,’ he states. ‘And the age part was never an issue, I’ve always been deeply attracted to Patricia. But over the years she became someone far more independent than the woman I married. She didn’t need me and that was unsettling. Flirting with younger women made me feel powerful. It made me feel needed.’
‘So, you spent your days thinkingmy wife doesn’t need meand then you were surprised when she left?’
Honestly, I want to applaud. Everyone is on the edge of their seats.
Anna places a hand on each of their shoulders. Patricia is a blubbering mess and Kenneth just looks shell-shocked.
‘In relationships, communication is vital,’ she says. ‘The cheating wasn’t the problem; it was just the result of something that was already very broken. Work on yourselves first, my friends. No matter how close you are to your partner, they cannot read your mind. Be open and be willing to listen.’
I see Kenneth whisper something to Patricia before taking her hand in his and kissing it. There’s an audibleawwfrom everyone as she leans in for a hug. My heart skips a little. I can tell she’s hesitant, but it’s also a start. Even Will’s dimples appear in approval.
‘Now let’s break for lunch,’ Anna announces, visibly pleased by this result. ‘Great work, everyone.’
The room is in high spirits as we march down towards reception. We’ve all just witnessed two people start to heal and now it’s our job to dissect every damn second of it. Will and I both get soup and a sandwich from the reception café before sitting by the loch to eat it.
‘I’m actually really happy for them,’ I say, dunking my bread crust into my soup. ‘The way he kissed her hand… I didn’t think stuff like that happened outside of Richard Curtis films. Ouch! This soup is like lava.’
‘I’m not entirely convinced that wasn’t staged,’ Will remarks, stomping all over my optimism. ‘For exactly that reason. People don’t behave like that, outside of movies. Not in the UK anyway. I once heard a bride tut and sigh before she said, “I do”. Generally, people just aren’t that openly gushy over each other.’ He bites into his sandwich as I stare in disbelief.
‘You’ve never been that level of nuts over someone? Not even your wife?’
He shakes his head, still chewing. ‘No… well, maybe I was a bit, but she’s more restrained than me. I don’t remember us ever publicly leaping on each other.’
‘They hardlyleapton each other,’ I reply. ‘But maybe they should have. People should leap on each other more often.’
We sit in quiet contemplation for a moment. It’s so peaceful. The loch is so still.
’So… when was the last time you leapt on anyone?’ he asks.
‘Never,’ I reply, ‘But I’ve wanted to! I’ve just never been with anyone I was one hundred percent sure wouldn’t just dart out of the way mid-leap.’
Will pauses. ‘You know, that’s kind of pathetic. Sweet but, well…’
‘Oh, screw you,’ I yell, throwing the last of my sandwich crust at him. ‘I am not pathetic, just cautious.’
‘I’m only winding you up,’ he assures me. ‘You should be able to leap on as many men as you like without fear of face-planting. They would be lucky to catch you.’
‘Damn right.’ I reply. ‘They should be lined up like—’
‘AGH!’
I see Will drop his soup container and quickly pull at the wet stain on his trousers. ‘This shit is scalding!’
