Lesson 16 Whine on a Friday

Whine on a Friday

Jane sat in the armchair with her toes tucked under her thighs, Sue sat opposite on the sofa, with a pine coffee table between them holding wine and a bowl of mixed nuts. This was their usual Friday wine and natter evening at Jane’s house.

“Top up Sue? Your glass is looking shallow?”

“Are me and Wayne still coming over to you next weekend for your anniversary supper? I can’t believe it’s been twenty-nine years. I can’t believe it’s going to be your big 50 next year. Time has flown.”

Not everybody’s marriage has flown by. Some of us have turbulence. Just playing the part. Acting out the scenes until the stage is swept. Did I ever tell you I was going to divorce him? But not until the children were teenagers.”

Jane fetched a disposable wipe from the kitchen and gave the table an unneeded once over.

“Can you believe eleven years in, and I fall pregnant and George is doing cartwheels. Not such a good plan after all. Of course we must have been in love at some point.” Sue topped up her drink. She slowly brought the cut glass to her lips, holding it there a second or two longer than was needed, as if remembering a love lost to a world that no longer existed.”

“And you wouldn’t change a thing.”

Taking a tissue from her pocket, Sue dabbed her moist cheeks. “Nearly Thirty years married and I will soon be turning fifty. What’s the point!” Sue reached for the snack bowl and balance it on the arm of the chair. “We only buy nuts at Christmas. Do you know I still crack his nuts for him.”

“You spoil that man.”

“I can’t believe my Georgie will be twelve next month. Only a year before she is thirteen. Teenage years are so difficult.”