2. They need an excuse to get out of their current relationship
3. They’re addicted to the risk
4. They don’t think the normal rules apply to them
5. They do it to get their partner’s attention
I’d so blithely written about how to spot the types of cheaters, never thinking I needed to take my own advice.
What sort of cheater is Rich?
None of the answers are great, but the one I’d find easiest to forgive is number five. Because however misguided the cheater might be, they’re not motivated by selfishness.
Did Rich feel unloved and ignored? Had I become complacent? Was it a way to save the relationship rather than blow it up?
I catch myself mid-spiral. Of course I’m finding the book hard right now, the subject matter is too close to home; the hurt is too fresh. I’m not in the right head space, so maybe I need to be kinder to myself.
And the universe obviously supports my decision, because downstairs, the television starts blaring old-time Greek music which means Mum is catching up with her favourite Greek soap, an activity she can seemingly only do with the volume at eleven.
No one could be expected to work through that.
I try reading my Kindle, but after twenty minutes, I’m paying more attention to the goings-on in a tiny mountain village hideaway at the turn of the twentieth century where Mr Kassianos, the butcher, is shouting at a rascal shepherd boy for looking at his precious Eleni with lust-filled eyes when everyone knows he’s arranged for her to marry Mr Panayiotis the notary, on the first Sunday after Pentecost. I suspect, however, that a telling-off isn’t going to do the trick, seeing as the show is calledThe Shepherd and the Maiden.
I find Pen, who’s also trying to study in her room.
‘You okay with all this noise?’
She shrugs. ‘I can usually tune it out, but when I can’t I go and work in Ealing library.’
‘How about I take us there, now? And then afterwards, treat us to a nice lunch?’
Her face lights up. ‘That would be great, Nell.’
Sometimes, I forget how young Pen is. She still hasn’t learnt to drive, and she opted to stay at home for her first year at uni. The poor thing hasn’t had the best of starts to her accountancy degree. She failed her first-year exams, and she’s having to study over the summer so she can retake in September before they let her start the second year.
‘How are you feeling about the exams?’ I ask, once we’ve parked and are walking towards the library.
‘Not too bad. I already feel way more prepared than I did in June, and I’ve still got eight weeks before the resits. With any luck, I’ll be able to join my friends for the second year.’
‘I’m proud of you, Pen. It shows real character that you’re facing this head-on. If ever you need to talk, you know I’m here for you, right?’
‘I’m okay, Nell. There’s a counsellor at college who I’ve talked to a couple of times. Loads of students experience exam stress – she’s used to dealing with it.’
We pass a hairdresser’s on the way to the library. ‘Are these guys any good?’ I ask. ‘I’m due a trim.’
She smiles. ‘You should do the clichéd scorned woman thing. A sexy makeover so that when Rich sees you tomorrow, he’ll fall to his knees and weep.’
I laugh. ‘Spoken like a true TikTok feminist. Fine, I’ll start with a blow-dry and take it from there. But I’ll be doing it for me,notto get back at Rich.’
Pen tilts her head to one side; she doesn’t believe me.
‘Okay, I admit it,’ I concede. ‘Any coincidental grief it causes Rich won’t beentirelyunwelcome.’
I get my hair done and my glossy-haired reflection puts me in such a good mood that I whizz around the shops and not only do I buy a sexy bra-and-knickers set, but also a pair of indecently high red suede heels that look like the Manolo Blahniks I’ve been coveting on Net-a-Porter, but for a tenth of the price. The retail therapy has done wonders for my self-esteem. Maybe the TikTok feminists are right after all.
Chapter 15
‘I think Rich has gone to Paris without me.’
