They first met in a little café on a fogladen corner of London. She perched at a table, waiting for a friend, a steaming mug of tea beside her and a slice of Victoria sponge on a saucer. He slipped in for a coffee, hoping the bitter brew might untangle the knot of his thoughts about what lay ahead.
She was striking, a vision in a coat of soft wool, and he was the sort of easygoing lad who never hesitated to strike up a conversation with any stranger. Their eyes locked, and it seemed the world had tilted just enough for each to notice the other.
May I join you? he asked, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
Only if you dont linger, she replied, Im waiting for my friend and I wont be needing a long stay.
I wont need much time, he said, just enough to exchange numbers. A few minutes will do.
She snapped a bite of sponge and scoffed, And who promised me youll get my number?
Because you love sweets, and only kind people enjoy sweets, he grinned, so were a perfect match Im sweettoothed myself.
Then you must be a kind soul, she laughed.
Of course, cant you see? Im terribly kind and wonderfully decent, he said, sipping his coffee.
Its the first time Ive met someone so full of himself.
And its the first time Ive seen a beauty like you, he replied.
Milly, she said, extending a hand.
Charlie, he answered, taking her hand, squeezing it gently, and planting a kiss so fierce it seemed to set the air aflame.
Excuse me, she whispered, arent you being a bit forward with a complete stranger?
Im not forward, Im merely polite. And besides, why would I be any less bold with the loveliest woman in the world?
She lifted the band on her left hand, a simple gold wedding ring glinting. Im married.
And what has ever stopped anyone? Today married, tomorrow freemarriage these days is as fragile as a soap bubble.
I was raised differently. In my family a marriage is forever, so dear sir, I think its time we part.
What are you saying? I feel theres no need for us to part. Lets just exchange numbers; it binds us to nothing, yet leaves the door open for a chat later.
Youre terribly confident. Why do you think Ill give you my number?
Im not confident, Im naïve. If we like each other, why not meet again? he said, his smile as disarming as a magicians trick.
Alright, write it down, she said, dictating her digits.
Ill call you now, and youll keep my number. Itll be useful later.
Fine, Ill keep it, Milly promised, but you should sit elsewhere; I see my friend arriving, and I have no patience for idle gossip.
Dont worry, Ill disappear. Well meet again, Im sure.
Charlie took his cup and drifted to the far corner of the café.
A week later, his phone buzzed. He called Milly, who had been waiting for that ring, and she agreed to meet again at the same café.
Charlie, she began over a sip of tea, I am married. I work as a nurse, and I could see myself seeing you, but my husband, Nicholas, is very jealous. Hes a former contractor who now runs a roughandtumble youth fighting club. Hes strong, temperamental, and Id never cheat on himits not just a matter of principle, its downright dangerous.
Milly, Charlie said firmly, I like you and I cant just walk away. Im a programmer, Im not wielding any weapon, but Im not afraid of your husband. I want to get to know you better, be friends.
Charlie earned a modest salary from a small tech firm, enough to change partners as often as he changed shirts. He was a serial bachelor, never letting a pretty face slip by. Milly was no exception; he felt she cared for him, and he was determined to win her over.
They met again, sealing the strange twist of their fate. Milly told her husband shed stay late at the hospital, then spent the night at Charlies flat. Unaware, they fell into a tangled love that refused to untie, meeting whenever the world allowed.
One evening Milly called.
My husbands away on a competition for a week, so Ill be waiting for you at home tonight.
Is that safe? Charlie asked. Maybe we could meet at my place, like always.
No, I want you here. Ill cook a romantic dinner, just the two of us. Im tired of the bachelor den!
Alright, Ill be there.
At the appointed hour, Charlie arrived bearing a bouquet, a bottle of champagne, a case of red wine, a cake, and a box of chocolates. Millys dinner was divine; the alcohol warmed their cheeks and softened their words. After the meal they slipped into the bedroom, the night promising as many candles as the stars.
At two a.m. a terrible pounding rattled the front door. They leapt from the bed, bewildered, and Milly peered through the peephole.
Its Nicholas! she whispered, Charlie, this is it! Hide!
Where? he asked, panic rising.
I dont know, justrun!
Whats happening? Millys voice was halfasleep.
Lilly, open up! Isnt it me? a drunken voice bellowed from the hallway. I left my keys at work, so Im knocking. Open the door!
Milly, trembling, looked at Charlie.
Open it, what else can we do? the pale intruder pleaded.
Charlie shoved his belongings under the bed and, still in his underwear, darted into the bathroom.
Where did you get so drunk? Milly shouted, And why havent you left?
Our bus broke down, so the lads are hitching rides home. We stopped for a quick drink in a bar and
Just a little drink, Milly hissed, you cant even stand!
Dont worry, love, Ive got it under control. I just need the loo.
Use it tomorrow, Milly snapped, now get back to bed!
Darling, I need to go now! Nicholas crooned, his bass voice echoing as he staggered toward the toilet.
The thought of a combined bathroom seemed a cruel jokewho would design a toilet beside a tub? Yet both flats had that very odd layout, and Nicholas headed straight for Charlie.
Milly froze, paralyzed by a sudden terror, eyes closing as if to shield herself from the inevitable. She heard no splash from the bathroom. How could Nicholas not see Charlie? Where could he hide in that cramped space?
The bathroom walls were half tiled, ending in a thick, sturdy ledge. Charlie scrambled onto the ledge, flattening himself against the wall and ceiling, clutching the tiles for support.
Nicholas, eyes glued to the porcelain throne, sang a drunken chant, No, no, no, I want nownow, now! He laughed like a child, oblivious to the silent drama unfolding above.
The stench of flushed water and spilled spirits rose, making Charlies nose itch. He tried to detach a hand from the wall to wipe his nose, but his grip slipped, and he began to slide down. Falling meant meeting Nicholass graspa grip that felt more like a gorillas than a mans.
He fought a sneeze, the tiny bathroom amplifying it into a thunderclap that rattled the tiles. Nicholas, startled, looked up and saw a faint silhouette of a crucifix painted on the wall, its eyes seeming to stare down. Terrified, he clutched the toilet seat, then toppled forward, fainting with a gasp.
Charlie seized the moment, flung himself from the ledge, and sprinted for the bedroom. Milly stood pale, unable to comprehend the chaos.
He grabbed his belongings, dashed down the stairwell of the twelvestorey block, barefoot in his boxers, his heart hammering faster than any lift could ever travel.
Minutes later Nicholas regained consciousness, looked up, saw nothing, and muttered, You really ought to drink less, as Milly scolded him for his hallucinations.
