I’ve had some extra time this week so I thought I’d have a go at this week’s Trifecta challenge.
“You can’t have it both ways. Either you’re committed to this family or you’re not. If I lose my license I’ll lose my job and then where will we be? No money, no mortgage payments – we’ll lose the house. Is that what you want?” He paused for breath, fists clenched ominously by his side.
Sarah kissed the baby’s soft, powdery skin, gently smoothing the sheet and tucking her in. He had started first thing that morning when yet another speeding ticket had tumbled onto the mat. … 93 on the M11 on Saturday 27th January. The 27th – the day he had told her he was going to the rugby with the boys. The 27th – the day Jack Harmon, one of those boys, had called to ask if he wanted to do a spot of fishing since they hadn’t managed to get match tickets. The 27th – their fifteenth wedding anniversary. Her shoulders sagged, tears threatened as she understood what the myriad of lies and excuses meant. Theatre tickets that he’d said were for his mother, deadlines that required him to work weekends, money missing from the joint account. The M11 goes to Cambridge. Cambridge could only mean one thing – Sally. Sally ‘it was all a big mistake’. Sally ‘I’ll never see her again; my life is here with you and the children’.
“Sarah” he began again, wheedling this time. “Come on love, its only three points, you haven’t got any. It’s nothing. Take the points and then we can put it all behind us. Oh, come on Sarah. You know I love you, just do this one little thing for me.”
The baby snored softly. Sarah turned towards her husband.
“That’s weak Robert. Is that the best you can do? Take your ticket and your points and get out! Get your precious Sally to take the points for you!”
His nostrils flared. His fists tightened into balls of iron. Sarah turned and walked towards the nursery door unaware of the danger.
Very well-done! I enjoyed the story and the chilly ending.
Thanks Gabriella.
A good story :)) Glad you joined in this week :))
Thanks Jo-Anne. So am I.
Aww, poor thing…I hope she doesn’t get hurt! Very well-told.
Mmmm… it doesn’t look too good for her.
Also, I love your wordpress underwater theme with the worm dangling on the side! 😀
Yes, it’s great fun, isn’t it?
Great ending!
🙂 thanks Laura.
I enjoyed this. And the M11 is a beast of a motorway for speeding tickets… I’m glad she’s defying him but hope she’s safe.
You’re right it is a nightmare. She is stronger than she thinks. I think she will get through it.
I thought, “good for her!” when she told him what he could do with his points. The last line made my stomach clench. That weasel jerk needs to take responsibility for his actions.
You’re right he does but I don’t think he ever will.
“unaware of the danger” Yikes! Good buildup with an uneasy ending. Nice work
Thanks 🙂
What a jerk-face. I would make him eat the ticket.
You’re a very brave man.
I hope she can withstand whatever wrath comes her way. Hopefully her strength doesn’t end with her brave words.
Thank you for linking up!
That last line turns this in an entirely different direction. We’re all, yeah, you go, girl! Kick the scuzz bucket to the kerb! And then, POW. A whole whack of yikes. Really well done. Just hope she has a weapon in that nursery…
No weapons just instinctive quick thinking.
Iron fists … shiver.
🙂 thank you Kymm
Oh, wow. Well done!
🙂 Thank you.
🙂 Thank you.