**Betrayal**
Peter raised a hand in farewell. Right then, Rosemary, Im off! Ill transfer the money to Mum, dont worry.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Rosemary sank onto the stool, suddenly bursting into tears.
Mum? Her son appeared in the kitchen doorway. Whats wrong?
Nothing, she said, embarrassed by her own weakness. Just a bit low, thats all. Missing the boys. Jonathan and Christine were staying with Gran.
No, said Dominic firmly. People dont cry like that just because theyre a bit low. And you talk to the boys on the phone every day. Im not a kid anymore, Mum. I can tell when somethings up.
Rosemary looked at her sixteen-year-old, already taller than her, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out what she hadnt even admitted in her own thoughts.
I think your fathers about to leave us. At Dominics stunned silence, she added, Hes been lying to me. For months now
Dominic didnt know how to react. Hed expected her to say shed had a row at work or with a friend. But Dad? How could that happen? Anger rose in him, and his mother saw it.
Dominic, dont. These things they happen between adults. Youll understand one day. Your dads a good man. You cant force the heart.
Even as she said it, Rosemary didnt believe her own words. She wanted to scream, smash things, but instead, she was telling her eldest to forgive and understand! Still, the boy clenched his fists.
Let him go, then! Well manage without him. Whys he even still here?
You say youre grown up, but youre acting like a child. Everyone makes mistakes, dont they? Your dadll realise this is just a passing fancy. His familys what matters
Mum, Dominic said, his voice cracking, how could he do this? Ill never respect him the same way again!
Itll sort itself out, love, Rosemary said, squeezing his hand. Just dont tell your brothers, all right?
You neither, Dominic wiped his eyes. We dont want them losing faith in their big, strong, perfect older brother.
Rosemary glanced at the clock.
Arent you late for training?
Dominic jumped up.
Blimey, I am! Bloody hell!
Alone, Rosemary let her thoughts wander. Talking to Dominic had kept her calm, but now, the hurt hit fresh, and she sobbed into her hands.
How could he throw away everything we had?
When shed first met Peter, hed been a carefree lad with a flock of girls he called his little birds. When Rosemary told him she wasnt interested in being just another bird, hed looked her dead in the eye and said,
Who said another? Youd be the only one. For life.
And like a fool, shed believed him. Seventeen years, three kids, thick and thinshed thought herself lucky! And him? After all that, hed gone and betrayed her.
It had started six months ago. Or maybe earlierhad she missed the signs? No, surely not. Six months ago, theyd been invited to a weddingPeters favourite nephew. She couldnt go, but shed sent Peter off with her blessing. You cant miss it, shed said. Hed put up a token protest, but family duty won. Later, scrolling through the wedding photos online, shed spotted a woman hanging off Peters arm. Something twisted in her gut, and shed made a comment, but Peter had just laughed.
Who? Oh, her? Probably the brides mate. No idea why she kept clinging to me. Honestly, Rosemary, are you jealous? Shes not even my type!
Shed believed him. The woman really wasnt his typeshe knew that much. But then came the strange callssilence, heavy breathing. Shed joked to Peter,
Some girl keeps ringing and hanging up. Must be one of Dominics little birds having a laugh.
The calls stopped, but she didnt connect that to their conversation. No, the real clue came laterwhen Peter, a jeans-and-jumper bloke, suddenly started wearing suits, ties, and expensive cologne instead of his usual cheap aftershave. And then the late nights at work. When she asked, he didnt even blink.
Big project at the office, love! Dont know how long itll take, but after? After, well be rolling in itholidays wherever you like, that fur coat youve wanted, and Dominic? A hoverboard. Maybe even a quad bike. Just hang in there, all right?
After that, Peter wasnt just latehe started vanishing on weekends. Just as theyd pack for a family day out, his phone would ring, and hed give her that guilty look.
Rosemary, its work. They need me. You know how it is
Shed wanted to hunt down that woman from the wedding, drag her by the hair, but she didnt even try to find her name. Better not to tempt herself.
Six months of this had turned Rosemary into a nervous wreck. Around people, she held it together, but alone, she fell apart. Today, after talking to Dominic, she made a decision.
I have to confront him. Before Dominic starts hating his own father.
But Peter beat her to it. He called, asking to meet at a restaurant.
We need to talk. Without the kids.
Rosemary smiled bitterly. Of courseno scene in public. Shed never allow herself that.
At first, she considered going in her gardening clotheswhy dress up? Then she thought of turning up straight from the allotment, just to embarrass him. But half an hour before leaving, she changed her mind.
Ill look my best. Let him see what hes losing.
The taxi driver kept glancing at her in the mirror. When they arrived, he said softly,
A pretty thing like you, so sad? Chin upitll all work out.
The unexpected kindness lifted her spirits a little. She walked into the restaurant with her head high. Peter stood there, holding a single rose. That threw herif he was leaving, why the flower? A farewell gift? She almost laughed. Since when did she have such morbid thoughts?
Dinner was small talk. Inside, Rosemary felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap. Finally, she broke.
Peter. You said we needed to talk.
He nodded. Right. Short version? Ive been thinking He paused, steeling himself. Howd you feel if we skip the holidays, the fur coat, the quad bike?
The spring tensedthen he continued.
Got nearly double pay today with bonuses. Dominics sixteen nowsoon hell be off on his own. Thought we could put this towards a flat for him? If we invest in this new scheme, itd be ready by his eighteenth. What dyou reckon?
I see, Rosemary said calmlythen froze. Waita flat? What flat?
Werent you listening? Honestly, love, youve been so distracted lately. Whats going on with you?
Peter shouted. Hed held back in the restaurant, but outside, he let loose.
Have you lost your mind? Some mistress? Some affair? I told youbig project, long hours! You never said a word! Ive been bragging about how understanding my wife is! And all this time, youve been painting me as some cheating rotter!
They walked home in silence, Rosemary smiling to herself. Every complaint, every grumble from him now sounded like angels singing. At the doorstep, Peter finally calmed.
Didnt I tell you once Id found my one and only? Have I ever lied to you?
Dominics day had gone from bad to worse. His mums confession that morning had thrown him. First, he was late to training and got an earful from the coach. Then he messed up drills, too distracted to defend properly. Hed rowed with a mate over nothing, then wandered the streets till dark, hoping some thug would pick a fight so he could unleash his anger. But no luck. Finally, he trudged homeand saw a couple kissing on the doorstep. He recognised his mums coat instantly, and his blood boiled. After accusing Dad of betrayal, she was? Fists clenched, he stormed forward.
Ohson! Peter said, slightly flustered. We were just
Well. Alls well that ends well, eh?
