Image: “Down the Path” by tu.finamore is marked with CC0 1.0
“So really, putting down a 20% deposit does make a difference, and our lockdown savings will mean we get competitive interest rates.” Sophie said as they squelched along the mud in their wellies.
Matthew had heard this all before, on so many occasions – the constant rehashing of topics already discussed in detail, so often concerning money or drama at work. For many people, lockdown had been an opportunity for time by themselves, for personal development, yet instead he found himself in a tailor-made hell of office drama and mortgage discussions.
“I want a divorce,” Matthew declared, coming to a halt. Sophie looked at him momentarily before carrying on ahead.
“Don’t be stupid,” Sophie said, “a divorce? And then what? You live by yourself, on a single, measly income. What about the joint finances? How are they going to be split? You’ll never be able to buy a house by yourself. Have you even thought this through?”
Not in that way, Matthew thought to himself. But none of that mattered: the only thing Matthew needed was space. Money would sort itself out, it had to.
“I don’t care about money. I’ve come to realise during all this that I just can’t stand it anymore, I’ve had enough. I want to be alone.”
“Honey,” Sophie said, turning to face him, “well, I disagree. I think you’ve suffered during this – we all have – but you’d be stupid to throw this all away. Just,” Sophie went on, her voice cracking, “sleep on it, OK?”
“It’s not a new decision, I’ve been thinking on it for some time. I’m sorry, I really am, but this is happening.”
Sophie drew a sharp breath and looked away from him across the river.
“Well then, you’d best tell your husband all of this,” she said, her arms crossed.
This creative piece was submitted as part of our March Theme: Disruption. If you would like to submit your own creative work to aAh! Magazine, please email aAh.Editor@gmail.com, and be sure to check our latest “Letter from the Editors” to find out next month’s theme.
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