"You have been told, time and time again, not to come here. You're not welcome."

"Do you think I want to be here? I have something to say... something you need to know. It's important. Can I come in?"

Sally stared in disbelief that her ex-husband was standing on her door step; she had thought she would never see him again when he walked out two years ago.
'You have a nerve turning up on my doorstep.'

'I don't have to remind you that you were the one who had the affair not me.'

'Say what you have to say and go.'

'I think what I have to say should be said inside and not in the hearing of neighbours.'

Sally glanced from side to side and noticed Mrs Brown was pottering in her garden. She stood aside to let him enter the hallway.

‘You’ll need to be quick before Paul get in from work.’

‘Are the kids around?’

‘No, why?’ asked Sally somewhat surprised by the question.

‘I don’t think they should hear what I have to say.’

‘You’re scaring me Chris – say what you have to say.’

He glanced around the room noting that very little had changed, looking at Sally he saw fear in her eyes.
‘How well do you know Paul?’

‘I’m living with him for God’s sake.’

‘I know,’ he said trying to keep calm, ‘but how well do you know him?’

‘Just get out - I shouldn’t have let you in.’

‘How often does he work away from home?’

‘A couple of times each month, he has business in various parts of the country, clients, conferences, the usual sort of things,’ she saw the look on Chris’s face as she spoke, ‘There’s something else isn’t there?’
Chris nodded and said nothing.

‘He’s got another woman. I knew it. His clothes smelt of a different perfume a few months back. I tackled him about it but he brushed it off saying he had walked through a department store and someone had accidently sprayed a sample in his direction. And I believed him.’ Sally flopped into a chair clutching herself, refusing to go to pieces in front of Chris.

‘It’s more than that,’ said Chris.

‘What?’

‘He bats for both sides so to speak.’

‘If this is some kind of sick joke....’ She broke off with a sob.

‘I was speaking to some colleagues and Paul’s name came up. They said he would do anything to clinch a deal. I swear I wasn’t fishing for information.’

Sally sat rigid trying to take in what he had said. A key turned in the lock. Sally threw a glance at Chris the fear was back in her eyes.


Paul entered the lounge; it took him a second to take in the scene, ‘Chris what a surprise. What brings you here?’

‘I was in the neighbourhood and thought I would see the kids but Sally tells me they’re out.’

‘That’s right. Sorry you’ve had a wasted journey.’ He glanced at Sally, ‘Something upset you dear?’

‘You,’ she said quietly.

‘Me? How?’ He feigned mock surprise.

‘How many others are there?’

‘What?’

‘Get out! Get out of my house!’ she screamed.

Paul looked at Chris, ‘This is your doing. You haven’t told her have you?’

‘No,’ said Chris avoiding Sally’s looks.

‘Sally listen we can work something out. Nobody need get hurt,’ pleaded Paul.

‘Get out! I don’t want to see you again.’

Paul turned for the door, ‘Watch your back Chris I won’t go down without a fight. Tell her, she deserves to know.’ The door slammed.

The silence was broken by Sally, ‘What did he mean?’

‘I blamed you for our break-up; your affair with Paul. I can’t let you take all the blame I also had an affair.’

‘Do I know her?’

Chris cleared his throat before speaking, ‘In a way – it was Paul.’