I believed that story for months.
To get him back, I’d made him watchGrease 2.
‘She’s great. She’s getting married again, would you believe?’
‘Wow. Was it unexpected?’
‘No, she’s been with Bill for years, but it’s weird, you know, the idea of going to your parent’s wedding.’
It was something I’d taken for granted growing up – the permanence of my parents’ marriage. ‘I can imagine,’ I said.
‘How are your folks?’
‘They’re well. Chuffed to bits about Pete getting married.’
‘Your brother got hitched?’
‘He’s about to. The wedding’s in six weeks.’
‘Good for him.’
There was a hint of bitterness in his tone.
‘Are you okay, Si?’
‘Louise and I separated. Actually, as of two months ago, we’re officially divorced.’
I’d suspected as much; I’d picked up bits and pieces on Facebook. Louise unfriending me was the final clue.
‘Must have been a tough time for you.’
‘It was for the best, though. We got married too young.’
I wanted to be generous, but I still remember the shock I felt when he emailed to tell me he was getting married. I hadn’t allowed myself to say anything critical about Louise – ever – even when she’d professed on Facebook that she’d rather not vote at all than vote for Hillary.
It wasn’t the only reason I’d never warmed to Louise, even though I’d never met her. All she posted on social media were pictures of herself or her rather ugly pug. Simon had always been a cat person.
‘God, why did I propose six months after meeting her?’
‘You got swept away,’ I told him. ‘I blame all thoseDawson’s Creekbox sets. You always were a bit of a hopeless romantic.’
‘Unlike you. Please tell me that’s changed?’
‘As eighties rockers Twisted Sister once declared: love is for suckers.’
He smiled. ‘So, I take it you’re not seeing anyone?’
Did I detect a hint of hope in his question?
‘Nope. I’m married to the job. I’ll probably die an old spinster.’
‘No way. I bet there’s a line of guys waiting to date you. You must be beating them off with a stick.’
The compliment gave me a buzz. ‘Well, I didn’t want to admit it.’ I smiled. This was a much better image to project than fusty old spinster. ‘It’s quite exhausting, actually,’ I replied, warming to my theme. ‘But my stick skills are excellent.’
He laughed.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. The lull in the background music meant Simon heard it too.
