Page 20 of Sassy & Sixty

Eager to dispel the sudden tension, Catherine suggested they continue their walk. As they strolled along, Rosie found herself chatting with Trisha, who turned out to have a wicked sense of humour and a wealth of stories from her days running a successful event planning business with her husband, John.

"It's all about the details," Trisha was saying, gesturing expansively. "You wouldn't believe the things people want at their weddings these days. Last month, we had a couple who insisted on having live butterflies released during their vows. Can you imagine? The poor vicar nearly had a heart attack when one landed on his nose mid-sermon!"

Rosie was laughing at Trisha's impression of the flustered vicar when she heard a sharp intake of breath from beside her. She turned to see Maria frozen in place, her face drained of colour.

"Maria? What's wrong?" Rosie asked, concerned.

But Maria didn't seem to hear her. Her gaze was fixed on something across the park. Rosie followed her line of sight.

On a bench partially hidden by a large oak tree, sat a man with a young woman– easily half his age – perched beside him, laughing at something he'd said.

‘Do you know her?’ asked Rosie.

‘No, but I know him,’ said Maria. ‘He’s an absolute scumbag.’

As they watched, the man reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind the woman's ear, his hand lingering on her cheek in a gesture that was unmistakably intimate.

"Oh, shit," Emma muttered, having noticed the scene as well.

For a moment, no one moved. Then, without a word, Maria turned on her heel and began walking rapidly in the opposite direction.

"Maria, wait!" Lisa called, but Maria didn't slow down.

The group exchanged helpless glances before Trisha took charge. "Right," she said briskly. "Julie, Catherine – you go after Maria. Make sure she's okay. The rest of us need to have a little chat."

As Julie and Catherine hurried after Maria, Trisha turned to the remaining women, her expression grim. "Well, ladies, it seems we have a situation on our hands."

“What’s going on?” asked Rosie. “I’m confused.”

"That two-timing, snake-in-the-grass, sorry excuse for a man is Maria’s husband," Emma fumed, her hands clenched into fists.

“Oh no,” said Rosie, genuinely shocked.

"I ought to go over there and give him a piece of my mind," said Emma.

"As satisfying as that might be," Lisa interjected, ever the voice of reason, "I don't think that's what Maria needs right now."

"Do you think... is it possible there's an innocent explanation? Maybe that woman is a relative, or a colleague..." said Rosie.

Trisha shook her head, her expression sad. "I wish I could say yes, but... this isn't the first time I've had suspicions about David. He's always been a bit too friendly with his young female 'assistants,' if you know what I mean. Also – he’s no fun and he treats Maria terribly. I’ve never liked him."

"Poor Maria," Rosie murmured. "She must be devastated."

As the debate raged on, Rosie felt the vibration of her phone in her pocket. Fishing it out, her eyes widened as she saw the caller ID: Derek. Her ex-husband who had an affair, prompting the collapse of their marriage.

What great timing.

For a moment, she considered ignoring the call. But something – curiosity, perhaps, or a lingering sense of obligation – made her answer.

"Hello?" she said, stepping away from the group for privacy.

"Rosie?" Derek's voice came through, sounding hesitant and... was that a hint of vulnerability she detected? "I... I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, it's fine," Rosie replied, her mind racing. "Is everything alright? Is it Mary?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Derek hastened to assure her. "Everyone's fine. I just... well, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. About us."

"Oh?"

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