I couldn’t help smile. “We could talk about anything and everything. Generally, I’d happily sit there and listen to her, even if it was just a blow by blow of her day. She always gave me half an hour or so after walking in the door to decompress after a long day, an hour if I’d had a shit day. The fact we’re not talking would be hurting her.”
“Will you let her know you’re going?”
I nodded. “She needs to know my situation. I’ll meet her on neutral ground, preferably with back up.”
Cathy grinned. “Oh, I think we’d want to support our friend.”
A week before I planned on leaving, Cathy contacted Hayley on my behalf and let her know we could meet for coffee that afternoon. She naturally leapt at the chance, no doubt hoping this might be an opening into reconciliation. We got to the coffee shop early, buying drinks and sitting down, chatting away about anything except what would be discussed later.
Hayley arrived on time. As soon as she saw me, the lower lip trembled, tears started to form, and she almost started to cry. Cathy stood up, arms folded, escorting her to the counter to buy a drink, returning so Cathy sat next to me, Chris to my other side, Hayley sitting opposite me. I tried to harden my heart again, but seeing her looking so distraught, I didn’t fold but it hurt to see her in such a way. I wasn’t a sociopath, and despite ripping my heart out, there was that small part of me that still cared.
“How are you, Hayley?” I asked.
“I miss you, Mark,” she whispered, “Not sleeping well. I don’t like sleeping alone. When are you coming home?”
“I’m not coming home, Hayley. I thought that would have been obvious by now, the near radio silence being the other. That’s why I’ve called you here as I need to let you know the situation. Unfortunately, the divorce rules in this country are stupid, so we have to be separated for twelve months before we can start proceedings.” That made her start crying. “Hayley, you cheated on me. I cannot forgive you for that. So I’m leaving the city. I’m heading north. I have a lawyer already, he will take care of everything on my behalf. “
“Can we not try… counselling?”
“No. That won’t solve anything. And I won’t be brow-beaten into accepting back a cheating spouse.”
“Was he the only one?” Cathy asked bluntly. When Hayley didn’t immediately reply yes, that was our answer. “How many times?” she added.
“Does it matter?” Hayley asked quietly.
“This will be the only time to clear your conscience with your soon to be ex-husband,” Chris retorted, “At least give him the peace of mind he bloody well deserves.”
Hayley met our eyes before she sighed. “No, he wasn’t the only one.” The only thing that stopped me getting up and leaving was a hand on my shoulder from Chris keeping me seated. “After you left school at the end of year 10, by year 12… I… Remember Martin?”
“Yes,” I replied through gritted teeth.
“I slept with him a couple of times after school finished while you were still at work.”
“Anyone else?” Cathy wondered.
Hayley shrugged. “Couple of one time things at university.”
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