Im leaving, Emily. I hand everything over to you and our daughter. I have only one request.
I dont love you any longer, Emily I say firmly, standing at the kitchen table. Ive thought it through, weighed the pros and cons, and Ive realised I simply dont love you.
Emily speaks to me from the window, while I sit at the table. She turns to me, sighs sadly.
Ive known that for a long time, Leo she says, wiping a tear away.
For a long time? I ask, surprised. Really?
Does it surprise you? Emily opens the window, draws in a deep breath of fresh rainsoaked air, smiles, and shuts it again.
No, but I thought you didnt realise I chuckle bitterly. In that case, Emily, its simple. We should part.
Are you sure thats what you want? she asks. Do you think its right? Weve been married for years, we have a child.
Ill pay maintenance, and all that I answer. Ill also keep helping you, you can count on that. I need nothing from you, Emily.
What do you mean nothing from me? Emily looks puzzled.
I mean I wont claim the flat or split the assets I say, glancing at the empty table.
You mean the house in Yorkshire and the cottage we bought before we married? she asks. You wont split those?
No, Emily, no I reply. Im above that. If I were a less noble man, Id strip you both clean, but I wont. I leave everything to you. Take it all. I want nothing. Thats the kind of man I am crystalclear at heart.
Thank you, Leo Emily says, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Youre a proper gentleman, unlike some.
Some? I raise an eyebrow, looking at the fridge.
Some men dont have a heart as clean as yours Emily explains.
Ah, those I understand, and my eyes drift to the sink piled with dirty dishes. Yes, there are many blokes who disgrace the title. You wouldnt believe the specimens I come across. How many of them are left in the world?
Emily smirks, still at the window, watching the rain that has just started.
I love it when its raining, quiet and warm inside, she thinks.
The world will carry everyone, Leo, and men are all different she says.
Youre right, Emily, theyre all different I exclaim, still staring at the table. Let me tell you a story. Theres a fellow at work, a real piece of work. Imagine, when his wife left him
Another time, Leo, for now Im busy Emily interrupts. Anything else you want to say about us? Or have you said all you need?
Yes, theres still a point I want to make I continue. Im leaving, Emily, handing everything to you and our daughter, but I have one request.
A request?
Could you give me five hundred thousand pounds? I say. Ill pay it back, honest.
Five hundred thousand? Emily blinks. Are you sure thatll be enough?
Im sure, love I assure her. Ive crunched the numbers.
You did the math? she scoffs. Really?
You laugh, love, but its not a huge sum for eight years of marriage. I owe you nothing else.
No, Emily says firmly. Thats far too much. I wont give you five hundred thousand.
You wont? I cant follow. You wont give five hundred thousand?
No, I wont.
A thought flashes through my mind. Strange, I think. How could she refuse? I wasnt expecting this. Claire swore that five hundred thousand wouldnt be a problem if I walked away from everything. Does she not see the risk?
How much will you give then? I ask, glancing sadly at the battered fridge.
Nothing at all Emily replies, stepping away from the window and sitting down.
What a turn, I mutter. Nothing. What am I supposed to do now? She gives me nothing, and Im left with nothing. What will I tell Claire?
Will you at least give three hundred thousand? I ask.
Not a penny.
How can that be? Im baffled. You just wont give anything?
Exactly. No, thats it.
I thought maybe three hundred thousand is too much for you. What about fifty thousand?
Youre exhausting me, Leo.
Well, then I pause, then continue if you keep putting me off, Ill pursue my rights elsewhere.
Do as you wish, Leo. Fight for your rights. They love being defended, especially in a different arena.
Who files the divorce, you or me? I ask sharply.
Which divorce, Leo? Come to your senses Emily says. Weve been separated for ages.
Separated? I exclaim. Why didnt anyone tell me?
Leo, you left home three years ago and called only three times since. The first call was to tell me not to worry. The second was about some serious matter. The third call is just now, to say you dont love me and to ask for five hundred thousand.
I needed time to think, Emily I explain. I was trying to save the family. How could you get a divorce without me?
They sent you summons to your address, but you never showed up.
I deliberately missed the hearings I admit. I thought if I didnt appear, they wouldnt divorce us. Yet here we are.
They did, Leo.
How is that possible? I shout. To strip a man of his wife and child without him being there!
If you didnt want to be there, Leo, who can you blame? Emily replies. Only yourself.
I never liked all the legal wrangling, you know that I say. All the arguments, the court battles. I dont want strangers involved.
She understood that and pushed us through.
Who is she?
The judge, of course.
Ah, the judge I realise. She finally saw were no longer husband and wife?
She did I sigh heavily. So thats that.
So its over.
Yes, its over.
Well then, thats that. The past is the past, as they say. How did the hearing go?
It went fine, Leo. No outsiders, just the two of us.
Thats good. You know I hate outsiders knowing our business. If its just us, its fine. Was the judge strict?
Not at all. She was calm, very calm. She even thought of you sometimes.
Really?
She asked where you were.
And you?
I said I didnt know.
What about her?
She didnt get angry at all. She wasnt cross with you, Leo. She said it was fine to go on without you.
So why do you need five hundred thousand?
I want to renovate my flat I answer. I thought after everything with Claire we could finally settle down. Didnt I tell you about Claire?
No.
Shes a wonderful woman. She also recently divorced. Didnt I mention her?
No.
We met three years ago I say. I even called you then to reassure you that everything was fine.
I remember the call, but you never spoke of Claire.
Were on good terms. A year ago she became a mother. We have a little girl. I figured a fresh paint job would be nice for the childs sake.
So you have two daughters now?
Yes, two. The flat is old, Emily. It needs rewiring, heating, the whole lot. Three bedrooms and a kitchen, built like those postwar council houses.
I know the type.
Claire suggested I ask you for help. Otherwise well have to take more from you.
She tried to scare me?
She did, but shes a decent person. We just have no money.
Dont rush the renovation, Leo Emily advises.
Why not?
Because the threebedroom on Engle Street was bought together. The court ruled half of it is mine.
You wont dare, Emily I protest. After I said Im leaving everything to you and the child, you cant just bargain like this.
I could buy your share, or sell mine, or offer you a onebed flat on the ground floor of a fivestorey block on Civil Parade, with good refurbishments Emily proposes. Your choice.
Is that all? I shout. Thats all you and Claire can offer? We have a child. Have you thought about her?
If you keep being rude, Ill sell my share to the first buyer Emily warns. Youll end up in a cramped council flat with Claire and the kid.
I stare at the filthy dishes, the battered fridge, the cracked ceiling, the grimy floor, the old windows. I remember the broken TV, the damp bathroom, the shabby toilet, and a wave of tears rises.
I accept I whisper.