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‘Then you’re going to look like a complete dick, aren’t you, because all the other men are wearing tuxedos.’
He baulked at the rebuke. ‘You can’t speak to me like that.’
‘I can speak to you any way I like. We’re no longer a couple, Kenneth.’ Something she’d decided on for certain last night, while lying in bed listening to her meditation app. It was time to cut her losses and start afresh. It felt both daunting and exciting, but no longer scared her.
‘Because I happened to buy you the same perfume as Tiffany’s? It’s a little childish, don’t you think? You’re overreacting.’
Connie perused the man she’d shared her life with for nearly forty years. A man she loved but no longer knew, and a man she certainly no longer wanted. ‘Buying me and your girlfriend the same perfume just confirmed a decision I’d pretty much already made, Kenneth. Our marriage is over.’
‘You’re being stubborn.’ He puffed out his chest. ‘Your feelings have been hurt and you feel the need to punish me. When you’ve calmed down, you’ll see I’m right. I love you, Connie.’
She found it incredible that his constant use of the word ‘you’ implied that this was all her fault and nothing to do with his infidelity. ‘I love you, too, Kenneth.’ Which was true. He was the father of her children, the man she’d shared a home and family with. He’d always be the most important part of her past, but he was no longer a part of her future.
His self-satisfied smile indicated he’d failed to sense the ‘but’ coming…
‘But I don’t like you any more, and I certainly don’t want to be married to you any more.’
He flinched. ‘You need me.’
‘Not any more. I have big plans.’ Boy, did she.
‘What plans?’ He looked at her with disdain. ‘You barely earn minimum wage as a doctor’s receptionist.’
‘True, but I’ll be earning a lot more as a fitness coach.’ It was the first time she’d said the words aloud, and it felt good. The idea had come to her gradually, a series of small revelations and realisations that had culminated in her devising a business plan.
‘A what?’
‘I’m setting myself up as a personal trainer and lifestyle coach for the over sixties. I’ve realised there are a lot of women like me – men, too – who find themselves a bit lost in their twilight years. People who’ve been widowed, or cast aside for younger versions, or for whatever reason have lost their self-esteem and need their confidence boosting.’
He looked at her like she was talking nonsense. ‘And how are you going to do that?’
Connie shrugged. ‘I’m still working out the details. Boxing will definitely feature, as will swimming. I’ve signed myself up for a counselling course and a fitness instructor course. By this time next year, I’ll be running my own business.’
He shook his head. ‘Running a business costs money. How are you going to afford it?’
‘By fleecing you in the divorce,’ she said, relishing the look of indignation on his face. ‘You’d better prepare yourself for a fight, because I intend to play dirty.’ She checked her watch. ‘Now, what do you want? We’re rather busy getting ready for a wedding.’
His shocked expression gave her a sliver of satisfaction. For once, she had the upper hand.
‘No? Nothing to say? Fine, then bugger off and go find Tiffany, assuming she hasn’t rejected you, too.’ She paused before closing the door. ‘By the way, just so you know, I’ll be walking Megan down the aisle this afternoon.’
He stepped forwards. ‘That’s my job. I’m her father.’
She placed her hands on her hips. ‘And I’m her mother.’
‘It’s my right. It’s tradition.’
‘A tradition you blew by insisting on wearing the wrong suit, Kenneth. A decision you made just to be bloody-minded. Megan has made her choice and I fully support her. Now move your foot.’ She kicked his highly polished shoe. ‘Poor Kenneth, demoted twice in one day, how will your ego survive?’ She closed the door in his face, relishing an unexpected feeling of empowerment. She was finally taking charge of her own life. Boy, it felt good.
Megan had returned from the bathroom.
Connie went over and straightened her daughter’s tiara. ‘It’s time we got you into your wedding dress. Lily, will you do the honours?’
‘Of course.’ Lily unzipped the dress bag.
Beth came over, looking concerned. ‘Are you certain it’s over between you and Dad?’
Connie removed Megan’s strappy shoes from their box. ‘Absolutely.’
