The Parting

“Do you really have to go?”

“You know I can’t stay any longer.”

“I wish you could.”

“It’s not as if it’s a surprise is it? We both knew this day was coming, didn’t we?”

“I know, but...”

“Let it go then.”

“Truth be told, Joe, I’m surprised you didn’t leave me sooner. Every day I’ve been expecting you to leave for the past 18 months.”

“I stayed as long as I could.”

“It’s still not long enough.”

“It’s not been right for over three years now, you know that. And now it’s time. Now I must go.”

“Jessie’s still angry you’re leaving you know.”

“I’ll still be her dad. I’ll always be her dad, you know that. She knows that.”

“Still…”

“How’s Tom taking it?”

“Oh, you know Tom. He won’t say much, tries to make out it doesn’t mean anything to him. But I know he’s hurting inside.”

“Strong silent type our Tom. Just like his dad.”

“Just like a typical teenager you mean. It’s hard for him. It’s okay for Jessie, she’s a girl, she can cry. But Tom feels he has to be strong, that he’s got to be the man about the house now. And he’s too young. He’s only 14 for God’s sake.”

“Marie, don’t. Do you think that if there was another way…”

“But there isn’t. You’re leaving. And I’m left to pick up the pieces.”

“Marie, please.”

“I’m left to pick up the pieces and carry on as best I can.”

“Let’s not be like this. Let’s not part on a bitter note. After all, before all this happened, there were a lot of good times, weren’t there?”

“Suppose.”

“Now who’s acting like a sulky teenager? I remember you used to be like that at school.”

“What, when you used to bully me?”

“I was trying to attract your attention.”

“By throwing stones at me?”

“Hey, I was a tongue-tied teenager, no idea how to approach girls.”

“So you threw stones at me.”

“They were only tiny stones.”

“Even so…”

“Worked didn’t it?”

“Well, you got my attention…”

“And then when Martin Baldwin had that party at Christmas…”

“And you waylaid me with the mistletoe.”

“Because you were being mouthy and loud after half a glass of cider. Thought I ought to do the world a favour and shut you up.”

“Is that why you kissed me? And I thought it was because you fancied me.”

“Well, that as well.”

“Where did the time go Joe? It only seems five minutes since we were those teenagers. Yet it’s been almost 30 years.”

“And we’ve had a lot of good times in those 30 years.”

“So why does it have to stop?”

“Because it does, that’s why.”

“I can still remember our first time, you know.”

“You can?”

“Yeah, can’t you?”

“Now, let me think…”

“Bastard, it was up the fields where we used to walk…”

“I know. Do you think I could forget that?”

“…and we were both so nervous…”

“I know”

“…and I was convinced I’d get pregnant.”

“What, even though we took precautions?”

“Well, yes. I didn’t know how to tell if these things had worked or not back then.”

“Didn’t stop you from being eager to try again though.”

“Well, I thought you could do with the practice.”

“Cheeky mare. I suppose you were an expert then.”

“You know I wasn’t. You were my first. My only.”

“And you were my first.”

“But not your only.”

“Please Marie, don’t bring that up now. It’s not the time.”

“But you don’t deny it.”

“No, but we’ve pulled that one to pieces already. I made a mistake. Once.”

“It still hurt.”

“I know it did. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s that one night.”

“Why didn’t you leave me then?”

“What? For Angela?”

“Yes, for Angela. She was a lot smarter than me, more beautiful, more successful…”

“And a prize bitch. That’s what she was like. I was just another notch on her bedpost. Besides, considering all the experience she’s had, she was still not a patch on you.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“I mean it. You and I were going through a bit of a rocky patch at the time, you know we were. Both so busy with work, with trying to bring up Tom. We were both exhausted, lost sight of the real picture for a time.”

“Did we?”

“Yes, you know we did. Tom didn’t sleep too well, you were working full time, and you were exhausted. I see it now, but at the time I only saw you didn’t have time for me. I’m sorry.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter now, does it? Doesn’t change this.”

“Yes it does. If it wasn’t for us getting through that time, for me starting to see what the issues were, there’d be no Jessica.”

“And still you’re leaving me with the two of them.”

“I have to. You know that.”

“Remember when I first introduced you to my parents?”

“Oh yeah. What was that all about?”

“They didn’t know what to say to you.”

“And they started talking about, what was it?”

“Irregular French verbs.”

“Irregular French verbs. And I hadn’t even done French. I’d no idea what they were going on about.”

“They came round though.”

“My family were much more welcoming I remember.”

“Except your sister.”

“What? She gave you a piece of cake that she’d baked as I remember.”

“But it was coconut.”

“Was it?”

“I don’t like coconut.”

“But you ate it.”

“I was just being polite.”

“You didn’t have to be.”

“Yes I did. Your sister was scary back then. Still is.”

“I never knew you were scared of Emma? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Not scared exactly. Just in awe I suppose.”

“She always knew what she wanted and made sure she got it.”

“Not always. She doesn’t want you to go either.”

“But I must.”

“Do you remember…”

“What?”

“Do you remember that first holiday we took together?”

“That crappy caravan in Devon?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t remember too much about Devon.”

“We didn’t see much of it, other than the local pub and chippy.”

“But we saw a lot of the inside of that caravan.”

“It was nice not to have to sneak around.”

“It was.”

“To have a place where we could make love whenever we wanted without having to worry about being found out.”

“We got in a lot of practice that week. I think I was getting pretty good at it by then.”

“Do you?”

“Well, wasn’t I? I don’t remember you complaining much.”

“Ah, just the two of us in those days.”

“Then the hard work as we saved for a place of our own.”

“No holidays then.”

“I was doing as much overtime as I could at work.”

“I got that evening job in The Feathers.”

“I didn’t like you doing that job.”

“Why not?”

“Too many men looking at my girl.”

“But we needed the money.”

“I know. Still didn’t like it.”

“But we got there. And I got promotion which meant I could give up bar work.”

“Thank God.”

“Remember our wedding?”

“As if I could forget.”

“My dad did his speech off the top of his head. Remember that?”

“I remember you. I remember I couldn’t wait to get you alone.”

“One track mind you.”

“I wanted you all to myself, in and out of bed.”

“Then why were we apart so often?”

“Life kept getting in the way. Working so that bills could be paid.”

“Then Tom came along…”

“And you got so fat. I thought you were going to pop.”

“You should have seen it from my end. I knew this thing inside had to come out sometime, and I knew it would hurt.”

“You did brilliantly.”

“I didn’t feel brilliant.”

“Well you were.”

“Remember the day we brought him home? How the midwives gave us this little bundle and said goodbye, see you in three years. They just gave him to us, as if we knew what to do.”

“We managed though.”

“Yes, we did, didn’t we?”

“He’ll do okay though. Trust me. I know. I was a teenage boy once myself, remember?”

“Hey, you don’t think he’s got a girlfriend, do you? I mean, you and I weren’t much older than him when we first got together, were we?”

“Well, if he does, I hope her parents have got something better than irregular French verbs to talk about when they meet him.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve had that conversation with him, have you? You know, how to stay safe.”

“No. I’m afraid that’s one you’ll have to deal with. He shouldn’t be thinking about that just yet.”

“Shouldn’t doesn’t mean wouldn’t. They grow up so fast these days.”

“Time runs away.”

“One minute we’re falling in love…”

“The next we have to say goodbye. What will you do next?”

“Start sorting stuff. You certainly left a lot for me to do.”

“Sorry about that. So what will you do first?”

“Clothes probably. Pants and socks first. I can’t imagine even the charity shop wanting those.”

“Cheek.”

“I’ll see what the kids want to have. I thought Tom could have your bike…”

“My Colnago? That’s a serious piece of kit.”

“And Jessie could have your piano. You know how she’s always wanted to play it but you wouldn’t let her.”

“But she’s got her own keyboard, isn’t that enough?”

“Of course, you could always take them with you.”

“You know I can’t.”

“Well then. They’ll go to the children. They will be theirs to keep safe and remember you by or to sell or destroy. Their choice.”

“And the rest?”

“The rest I will take my time over. My sister offered to help, but you know how organised she is. She’d have it done and dusted in a month and there’d be nothing of you left. I prefer to take my time and remember you with each thing.”

“You know if you ever wanted to marry again…”

“Don’t say that.”

“But if you did. Not now, but sometime in the future. You have my permission. As long as he’s good enough for you.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone who could replace you Joe.”

“I just don’t want you to be lonely, that’s all.”

“But I’ll have the kids.”

“And they’ll grow up and leave home.”

“I’ll get a dog. Always meant to have a dog.”

“A dog is no replacement.”

“Oh I don’t know, following me around, wanting feeding, needing me to clear up after them…”

“Hey, you forgot the faithful companion bit.”

“And an unquestioningly faithful companion.”

“I have to go soon.”

“I know. I could really do with a hug right now.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“Could I kiss you?”

“If you wanted.”

“You’re so cold you know. I long for your warmth, but you’re just cold now.”

“That warmth is still there, inside of you.”

“I’ll keep the memory of you inside me for ever. So is this it? Is this the end?”

“If you’re ready to say goodbye.”

“No. Even though you may be lying in this place tonight, I want to keep your soul in my bed one last night. I’ll say my final goodbyes tomorrow, at the funeral. Then you can go on, with my blessing.”