Free The Torn Up Marriage by Caroline Roberts

on the phone the other day. And all those messages I’ve left.”
    Her father, Peter, came ambling in through the back door, secateurs in hand. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered, his once-black hair now white and thick. “Hel–” Jean gave him a sharp look and a flick of her head, motioning him to move on. “–Lo,” he finished. “I’ll just go wash my hands, give you girls a minute.” He looked concerned, awkward.
    “Hi, Dad,” Kate’s voice was muffled, her mother’s arm about her shoulders now and the tears came. Those tears that always seemed ready to hijack her nowadays, waiting just below the surface to flow again. Her eyes had been red-rimmed all week, with sallow grey bags beneath; she’d taken to using a lot of foundation and concealer.
    Jean held her to her, with a hand softly stroking the top of her head, sifting the strands of dark-blonde hair. “I’m so, so sorry, my love.” They stood together for a moment or two. Soothing words whispered above her, “It’s alright. It’s alright.”
    But it wasn’t alright. It was never going to be alright.
    The tears eased a little, Kate pulled back, “I’m sorry, Mum.”
    “What on earth are you sorry for, Katie? It’s alright to cry. We all need to let it out sometimes.”
    She hadn’t wanted to break down like this, to make a scene. She had meant to tell them calmly, responsibly. Just the facts.
    “What’s happened?” Jean’s voice was gentle.
    Kate pulled away with a sigh. Her mother turned to give her a little space and started popping teabags into the pot, pouring water in.
    This was so hard, having to put it into words. “He… he’s been having an affair. It’s been a few months. He’s left us to live with her.”
    “Oh, dear God! What a thing to have to deal with. When did you find out?”
    “Last Monday, well it was Tuesday, really, when I found out the truth.”
    “But are you sure it really is over? Is it serious? Marriages all have problems sometimes. Things can change.” Jean stirred the pot.
    “He says he loves her.” Kate lifted a hand to her face, bit her inner lip. “He’s left us. Gone to be with her.”
    “And you’ve not told us, for all these days? Oh Katie, we could have helped. I would have come up, helped with the girls.”
    “I just needed time, Mum.” Kate looked out of the window, past the shrubs, the vegetable patch, up to the blue expanse of the sky, “I wanted to be sure it really was over. And we haven’t told the girls yet, not properly. Said he was away with work…. I couldn’t even bring myself to tell you.” Her words drifted to a whisper.
    “Oh, sweetheart.” Jean’s hands were trembling as she poured out the tea from the pot. “Come on, let’s take these through to the conservatory.” She placed three cups on a tray, along with the biscuit jar and sugar bowl.
    Peter reappeared cautiously at the threshold between the hall and kitchen. “Is everything alright?”
    “Not really, Peter, no.” Jean, her tone formal, concerned. “Come through.”
    They settled onto wicker furniture with floral seat pads and Kate had to say it all again. “It’s Michael. He’s left me for someone else, Dad.” It wasn’t any easier the second time.
    “Oh, Kate, pet.” He shook his head slowly, as if trying to register the words. “Good Lord! What’s the matter with the man? Does he have no sense of his responsibilities?” He stood up, started pacing the floor tiles. “How are you coping? How are the girls? What can we do to help?”
    “Would you like to stay here for a while?” Jean added.
    “No. No thanks, Mum. The girls have got school. We need to be in Alnwick. I’m just trying to sort things out day to day, really.” She paused, “It’s just so hard to think about it all, though.”
    “Well, I’ve a good mind to go and have words. Sort him out. What the hell does he think he’s playing at?” Peter was stood tall, squaring himself up.
    Kate gave a half-smile. Typical Dad back