Page 13 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

It hit me with a jolt that there was no ‘we’ anymore. I’d split up from my husband. Now, I was on my own. He had to support himself somehow, or sponge off a friend, until we’d sorted out the house and other assets.

Shit. I hadn’t even given that much thought until now. If I was serious about this—about separating from him—we would have to sell the house and divide everything up fifty-fifty.

As soon as possible.

I’d never done this before. It was a giant step into the unknown. Neither was I familiar with legal and financial matters.

I chewed my lip. I could handle a class of teenagers—not always, but most of the time. Financial and domestic upheaval wouldn’t be as hazardous as that—would they?

But where would I live? I couldn’t stay here—I didn’t have enough money to buy Terry out, and besides, I didn’t want to live in this house after he had cheated on me here. But after selling the house, paying off the mortgage and splitting the assets, I wouldn’t have anywhere near enough money for a place of my own.

Other women must find a way out of this situation somehow. Or maybe they don’t. If they only have a choice between a terrible marriage and a poverty trap, what do they go for?

I fetched my tablet. Rose was still online, despite it being well past midnight now. Why was that?

Oh, that’s right. She has an assignment due tomorrow. Today, rather. Should I bother her when she’s busy, this close to a deadline?

She’d be pissed off if I didn’t tell her what happened.

I video called her, and she answered in seconds.

‘Mum, why are you calling so late? Is something wrong?’ Worry creased Rose’s forehead as she gazed out of the screen.

I took a deep breath. ‘I’m sure you’re busy with your assignment, but I’ve got two pieces of important news. The first is that your great-aunt Ruth has had a serious fall. She’s in hospital in the UK, and she might not walk again.’

‘Oh no! Poor Great-aunt Ruth! That’s terrible. How are you, Mum?’

I sighed. ‘I’m struggling to take it in.’

‘Are you going to call her? Or fly over and see her?’

‘I’ll call as soon as I can, and I’m thinking about going over for a visit.’

‘And what does Dad think of that?’

‘That’s the other piece of news. I’ve split up from your father.’

Rose was silent for a few seconds as she absorbed this. ‘Good on you, Mum. I’m sorry for Dad, but you’ve done the right thing. Good on you.’

‘Thanks, love.’ I paused. ‘I know you were expecting it, but now that it’s happened, are you... upset?’

She shook her head. ‘It’s the best thing for both of you. Especially you, Mum. Dad will be fine, but he’ll need to reconsider how he treats other people. He’d never do that if you stayed and put up with all of his shit.’

‘I think you’re right.’ She was a clever young woman, my daughter, and she would breeze through her psychology degree.

‘What made you finally decide?’ Rose reached for a glass of water and took a big drink. Is that only water? It’s not vodka, is it?

‘He was cheating on me.’

‘What? No way!’ She set her glass down with a clunk.

‘Yes, way. I caught them at it when I came home from work early.’

Rose shook her head. ‘That’s so awful, Mum. I’m shocked he did that to you. So, you kicked him out, then?’

‘Yes. I don’t know where he’s gone. I’ll tell you this—I’m not taking him back. Not after this bullshit.’

‘I’m proud of you, Mum. I’ll support you however I can.’

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