‘Tis the Season to be Single: A feel-good festive romantic comedy for 2018 that will make you laugh-out-loud!. Laura Ziepe
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so perhaps she can just live here and pay towards it,’ she suggested. ‘If she wants to, that is.’
Simon frowned. ‘Isn’t she with Mark?’
Grace realized she hadn’t got around to telling Simon that Rachel and Mark had split up. Normally she would tell him everything and it felt weird that he didn’t know something so important about her friend. Grace shook her head, ‘They’ve split up. He was cheating on her.’
Simon exhaled slowly as he studied her in astonishment. ‘Wow. I can’t believe it.’
Grace thrust her hands into the pockets of her trousers. ‘I know. It’s really awful. With Rachel’s best friend too.’
Simon shook his head. ‘Idiot. And he seemed like a nice guy to me.’
Grace nodded, recalling the times they’d met in the past. Last year’s Christmas ball had been hilarious. Mark had been so drunk that Simon had to carry him out; they’d laughed about it for days afterwards. ‘I’m sure Rachel will be fine about living here. Saves us looking for somewhere new.’
‘Yes, it makes sense,’ Simon agreed.
‘Where will you go?’ Grace asked him. There was that feeling of guilt again.
‘Paul has a spare room at his I’m going to rent.’ He attempted airy tones, but she could see from his tired looking eyes he was struggling with the situation. He definitely wasn’t okay with it. ‘I was going to go tonight. No time like the present. So please, stay down here and relax. No need to go upstairs now.’
‘No, I guess not.’ Grace could only stare at the floor awkwardly. ‘Do you need help packing your things? Remember to take a few towels and some bedding from the airing cupboard; I’m not so sure Paul will have any spares.’ She couldn’t help herself. Grace had always done everything for Simon. Even when they went on holiday she packed his case for him. She remembered their last holiday to Malta.
‘Didn’t you pack my white polo shirt?’ Simon had huffed, going through the clothes in his bag.
Grace had thrown her eyes upwards in annoyance. ‘Simon, you can pack your own suitcase, you know. If you care so much about what you have then do it yourself!’
That had shut him up. He much preferred Grace doing everything for him. She pretty much took care of all the housework, his washing, his ironing and she cooked for him. Perhaps she was partly to blame for this? Her mother had done everything for her father so it was all Grace knew. The women took care of their men. The problem was that Simon didn’t appreciate anything anymore. She didn’t know how he’d cope without her, and despite knowing that it was probably a good thing, and he’d finally see how much she really did for him, she couldn’t help but worry about him. She told herself off, knowing that it was nothing to do with her now. She had to let him get on with it. He was a grown man and soon enough he’d work it out for himself.
‘Don’t be silly, I’ll do it. Thanks for the offer though.’ He shot her a strained smile.
‘If you need help, just shout,’ Grace responded kindly.
She couldn’t concentrate on the programme she was watching after that. It was the kind of programme Simon hated watching, about a man that was given away for adoption trying to trace his family.
‘What’s the point in watching something that makes you so emotional?’ he would usually say.
Grace couldn’t focus on what the man on the screen was saying now. All she could think about was the fact that Simon was leaving and she was now going to be alone in their house.
Forty minutes later he started bringing suitcases downstairs. ‘Obviously I’ve probably left a few things by accident,’ he explained, ‘but I think I have most of it. Just collect anything you find and I’ll pick it up another day. I have all the important things I need.’
‘At least let me help you take it to your car,’ she offered considerately.
‘No honestly, I’m fine.’ He smiled graciously. ‘Thanks though.’
It all felt so strange seeing Simon doing something on his own. He normally wanted Grace to do everything for him. He’d become lazy, expecting everything to be done for him. He’d normally have asked her to help before she even had the chance to offer. Grace felt as though the world had gone mad as she heard him heave the second suitcase out the door. She couldn’t watch him; it was far too painful and strange. He’ll probably change now, Grace thought wryly; she’d shown him his errors and he’d turn into the perfect man for the next woman he met. His new woman would most likely think that Grace was crazy for splitting up with her loving, kind and helpful husband. As if that had been the case! Regardless, it was much more difficult letting Simon go than she’d first anticipated.
‘I guess I best say goodbye then,’ Simon said in a lowered voice a few moments later.
Grace gulped. She’d been dreading this moment the whole time he’d been packing. Her chest felt tight, like someone was sitting on it, restricting her breathing. ‘I don’t know what to say, Simon,’ she replied helplessly, feeling incredibly sad.
Simon cleared his throat again, unable to look in her direction. ‘Maybe it’s easier if I just go. Don’t come out, stay there. It’s too hard.’
Grace nodded, a tear falling down her cheek. ‘If that’s what you want,’ she told him obediently, frozen in her seat.
When she heard the door slam, she broke down. This was what she wanted, so why did she feel so down about it? She’d given her marriage her all, yet despite telling Simon time and time again how she was feeling, he had never tried to change once. Did he not care enough to bother trying to make her happy? Now it had come to this and it was heartbreaking. He’d gone. Would they end up getting a divorce? Then it really would be final and Grace didn’t think she was ready to accept that just yet. It was all well and good agreeing with Amber and Rachel that she would be single and do her best to start dating, but Grace just couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t do that. She needed to be alone – to be surrounded by her family and friends and the people that loved her. She wasn’t close to being able to date yet and she knew that was okay. She was grieving for her marriage still. But she had to give up fighting for it, didn’t she? She’d been fighting a losing battle for too long.
Deciding there was no point in pretending to watch television, Grace made her way upstairs to their bedroom. She was surprised to see a note on the bed. Memories came flooding back to her once more.
‘You write like a child,’ she’d giggled coquettishly the first time she’d seen Simon’s handwriting.
‘Hey, I do not!’ Simon laughed merrily back. His eyes scanned the writing on her Valentine’s Day card. ‘Okay, maybe I do a bit. When we write joint cards, you’ll have to be the writer,’ he grinned.
‘Joint cards?’ Grace smirked, one eyebrow raised. They’d only been together four months at the time.
‘Yes, joint cards,’ Simon had said confidently, and she’d been glad, because she felt it too. She also knew this was the start of something meaningful and serious.
Grace picked up the note, reading Simon’s familiar writing.
Grace,
I know there is nothing I can say to change your mind, because talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. I’ve had time to think about everything you’ve said. I honestly do understand how you feel and I’m sorry if you feel I don’t appreciate you like I should. I guess I’m guilty of just believing you’ll always be there. This has been a huge wakeup call to me and I cannot lose you. I’ll do anything to get you back, and that’s why I think this break will do us the world of good and I’m going to prove to you that I really can change. I have to. So please don’t give up on us just yet. Let me show you how I can make you happy again. I promise you, I will. I don’t care how long it takes. I love you, though I know I don’t tell you enough. I’ve always loved