The spring days had slowly turned to early summer. The mornings were still a bit cool, but generally the afternoons were bathed in beautiful rays of warming sun. The warmth of the days seemed to have electrified James. He and Lucy had been seeing each other for around two months, and James was feeling pretty good. Even his job was going well. Just quietly he had been slipping some innovative features into his designs, and the architectural company he worked for had been winning more, and more, contracts. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by his bosses. He was considered a bit of a rising star at the firm, something which made him laugh really. Compared to the level of designs he had previously been working on, at his old job, in his old life, it was all pretty tame. He thought of the work he was doing as being ‘low budget, with a bit of a flourish.’ Still, he enjoyed it. It felt good to be experimenting with design again. He had always enjoyed being creative. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that creativity shouldn’t be pushed, as it had been at his previous job. Creativity need to be nurtured, cultivated with care and attention, not expected as being the norm. At his old job nothing had ever seemed to be good enough. Something more exiting, more audacious had always been expected. Innovation had become the standard, almost the mundane. Now he could work at a slower pace, without all that pressure on him, and his little design flourishes were greatly admired, and appreciated. He enjoyed his work again. He enjoyed being creative, but at his own pace. It really was like starting his career all over again. His whole life, really. His relationship with Lucy was going well, also without pressure. She, like him, was happy to take things easy, and see where the road led them. It was a fairly casual affair for both of them. Each enjoying the other’s company, but without being fixated on where it would lead them. To a certain extent it was almost like two really good friends, who also slept together. It felt so good to James to live his life free from expectations. He had never really believed all the talk about people suffering from stress. James had always considered the idea of stress to be a bit of a modern invention, to cover a lot of different problems. Now, though, he firmly believed that he himself had been suffering badly from stress. Stress at home, and burnout at work. Being a very private, reserved person, he didn’t like talking about those sorts of things much, but with Dave he discussed it all freely. He knew he could rely on Dave to keep their discussions private, and it was good, almost therapeutic, to talk to someone about it all. The two friends were sitting in Dave’s garden, soaking up the pleasant sunshine, and drinking some beer. James was relaxing in the afternoon’s warmth, and sharing his thoughts with his good friend.
‘I hate to say ‘I told you so’, but.... hey, listen to me, my friend! The Master!’
‘To be honest, Dave, I think you actually love to say that. I’ve lost track of how many times you have said it so far.’
‘When you are right, you are right. I told you, Lucy would be good for you. Was I right, or was I right?’’
‘What about this? How about being right, and humble! Why don’t you try that for a change?’
‘Sorry, man, not my style. When I’m right, which happens quite frequently, I might add, I expect the world to know it. Anyway, you know I am just joking, more or less. Really I couldn’t be happier for you. You have really changed. You seem so happy, so relaxed. You are more like the old Jimmy, from our old days back at university. It’s good to see you like this, man, really good. You know, I had always been so proud of you, of your winning designs, and the buildings you had worked on, that I had never realised the price it had cost you. You never spoke of the pressure cooker you were working in.’
James took a drink from his bottle of beer, and reflected on what Dave had said.
‘You know why? I hadn’t even realised it myself. It had just sort of grown, developed slowly over the years. At first that had been a dream job, but over time it had started to weigh heavy on me, without me even realising it. It wasn’t until I got out, and into an easier work environment, that I understood it myself. I guess when you are too close to something it’s hard to get perspective.’
James looked around Dave’s back yard, with it’s nicely kept lawn, well trimmed hedges, and a well organised play area for Penelope.
‘You know, Dave, you really have it all. A beautiful family, and a really nice house. Not many people can say they have it all so good. It’s just great being out here in your garden.’
Dave furtively looked around, towards the back door of his house.
‘Actually, you know, I’ve got a bit of something new on myself. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you.’
Dave’s demeanor had gone instantly serious, something which told James that what his friend had to tell him was big, very big. Dave never acted seriously. It just wasn’t his style. James was instantly worried.
‘Hey, what’s up Dave? What’s going on?’
James was apprehensive, for Dave to drop his jocular style, it meant something important was weighing on his mind.
‘Well, I’m pretty sure that you won’t approve, but just hear me out. I’ve met someone...’
James felt the blood rush to his head. He fairly exploded with rage.
‘Dave, are you bloody crazy! What the hell are you doing?’
‘Just listen, will you James? It didn’t start like that. We just got in touch, talking about things. Nothing was ever planned, it just sort of happened.’
James couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Dave and Maureen were the tightest couple he had ever known. They were fantastic together. They had developed a tremendous relationship based on Dave’s lightness, and Maureen’s more sturdy, pragmatic approach to life. A combination that worked really well.
‘Dave, don’t be a bloody idiot! You have such a good person in your life. Maureen is such a rock. You just couldn’t find a better companion to journey through life with. And what about Penelope? Are you really prepared to risk all that? This is bloody crazy! You do realise what you are doing here, don’t you?’’
James was both shocked, and very irate with his friend. What Dave had was something most people could never even dream of having.
‘It didn’t really go like that. We just became friends, dealing with some stuff we have in common, and then it all just happened. None of it was planned, James, it just sort of came about. One day our friendship sort of turned physical. Plus, you know how it is, after many years of married life, the flame starts to burn lower. I love Maureen, you know that, but sexually to have someone new, well, it’s pretty exciting.’
‘Shit, man, I don’t like this at all. You are really playing with fire here, you know?’
‘Yeah, I know. Remember though, you separated. Things do change. Sometimes life pops it’s head up, when you are least expecting it to.’
‘Hey, I understand, but you are ‘Dave and Maureen’. I always thought of you two as being the most solid couple I have ever known. Be careful, Dave, be very careful. This could really explode in your face.’
‘Yeah, I know, I know. Can I count of your support?’
James let go of his anger. His friend was asking for his help. He punched his friend, playfully, on his arm.
‘Always, Dave, always. Whatever happens, I will always be there for you. You know that. Like you have always been there for me. It’s just that I’m worried for you. You have so much. Do you really want to put everything you have on the line? Who is she, anyway? Do I know her?’
‘No, you don’t know her. And anyway, I’m not telling you who she is. That’s neither here nor there. I just wanted you to know what’s going on with me.’
‘Well, OK Dave, I just hope you know what you are doing. You’re really going out on a limb here.’
‘Come on, tell me how it’s all going with Lucy!’
‘Good idea, let’s change the subject. Who would have expected that from you?’
James knew all of Dave’s tricks, but to be honest he felt a bit strange talking about Dave playing around on Maureen, so he was actually quite happy to drop that topic. They would came back to it another day. Of that he had no doubt.
‘Yeah, well, it’s going really well. Incredibly she doesn’t put any pressure on me to bump it up to another level. She seems to be happy with the way things are. It’s all really casual. She doesn’t even send me a lot of messages. She answers mine, and throws in a few of hers, but actually she sort of leaves me in peace most of the time. I think it’s all a bit new for her, too, and she’s just letting the cards fall where they will, and waiting to see if things develop further. No pressure, no expectations. We’re both just in a pretty casual place.’
‘That sounds sort of how you feel too, no? It looks like you are both on the same page there. I’m happy to hear that. You know what? I bump into all the old crowd here and there, but I don’t tell them anything much about you. I just tell them your job is going well, and that you are so busy we don’t get to see each other much. I know you want to keep things private, but you know, they care for you, man. I don’t think you should have cut them all out like that. There’s some good people there.’
‘Yeah, I know. It’s just that it all got so complicated. They sort of got caught up in the middle, and I really didn’t know how to handle it all.’
‘Cutting and running wasn’t much of a game plan.’
Dave was being Dave again. James was pleased to have him back.
‘Admittedly I probably could have handled it all better, but that was a really hard period for me. To be honest I’m just glad I managed to get through it all in one piece. Now I don’t really feel like going back to any of that. I’m just going to focus on moving forward.’
‘Yeah, I hear you. I know how hard it was on you. I’m just saying, there are some good people out there who care for you.’
The back door of the house opened, and the two guys turned to see Maureen poking her head out.
‘You two cohorts ready for another beer?’
Dave turned towards her, and called out a reply.
‘Yeah, hon. Keep ‘em coming. Never stop the flow of the beer!’
James’s face broke into a smile. He just couldn’t believe his friend. It was hard enough for him to handle one relationship at a time, and here was Dave acting as if all was normal, as he walked on his tightrope, with no safety net below. His smile broadened as he looked at his friend. He would make a fine juggler, keeping a number of balls up in the air at the same time. Probably while standing on just one leg. The thought struck him that you never stop learning about people, and what they can get up to. He thought he had known all of Dave’s little quirks, and yet here he was, genuinely surprised by this new turn of events. Maureen arrived with a couple of bottles of beer.
‘Here you go, guys. James, you’re driving back, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, but don’t worry Maureen, this is my last one. I’ll be fine.’
Maureen was the picture of beauty, and efficiency combined. Her face was very pretty. She was slim, and very fit. She was a very energetic person, always rushing from one job to the next. She worked part time in an office, looked after the house, and was chief driver for Penelope, rushing her around to all those places that kids had to be. James felt a twinge of guilt as he took the bottle of beer from her. He almost would have preferred to not have known about Dave’s other woman. Maureen had become a great friend over the years. He really like her, a lot.
‘Right, you two, I’m off to see Beth for a cup of coffee, and then I’m going to pick up Penelope from her friend’s party. You be careful with that drink there, mister, you hear me?’
James raised into the air his hand holding the bottle of beer.
‘Loud and clear. Got it. No more than another three or four beers, right you are.’
James and Maureen laughed together. James was surprised to find how easy it was to carry on as normal, even when you knew such devastating information. Life really was an obstacle course. You just had to keep on going, jumping over each obstacle as you came to it. There was no rule book, or set of instructions to follow. You just had to be prepared for whatever was hurled in your path. And those hurdles just never seemed to stop coming.
‘Give me a hug, you. You will probably be gone by the time I get back. I really miss seeing you.’
James stood up and hugged Maureen. She was such a great person, Dave was really being an idiot to risk losing someone like her.
‘See you soon, Maureen. Take care.’
‘You too, bye.’
In a flash, she was gone.
In her wake she left a poignant silence. James turned to Dave.
‘Bloody hell, Dave!’
‘Yeah, I know, I know.’
The two of them sat there in silence, something rather unusual for Dave. Probably even he realised the enormity of what he had gotten involved in, and what he was risking.
----------
The drive up to Woodside Hill was extremely pleasant. Lucy and James had decided to avoid the motorway, and to take the scenic route, it was a lot longer but took them through some absolutely beautiful green, lush countryside. In the heat of the midsummer sun the green pastures looked incredibly pretty, and fertile. Lucy had a constant smile on her face, and was absolutely beaming with joy.
‘What about stopping for lunch in a nice country pub?’
‘Good idea, Lucy. Then by around mid afternoon we should be at the monastery, or at least, what remains of it. The heat will be off a bit by then, so it will be nicer for looking around.’
The two of them were on a long weekend away, visiting some sites that weren’t that well known, but were of great historical, and architectural interest. Architecture, always of great interest to James, was now also something that Lucy enjoyed as well. They would be spending a couple of nights together, in some B&Bs that they had booked online. By this point it was quite normal for them to sleep over at one, or the other’s place, but this would be the first time they would be together, constantly, for a few days. James was slightly uncertain about the whole idea. He was hoping that they would be able to maintain the casualness of their relationship, even under that sort of pressure. Lucy, on the other hand, saw it as a dream weekend away, leading them along their well lit path towards a life of bliss together. A path lightly sprinkled with flower petals, and illuminated by scented candles. She had been patient, and had followed the well intentioned advice of her two best friends. She wasn’t going to do anything to risk losing what she had found. Everything was proceeding well, there was absolutely no reason to push James too far, too fast. Time was on her side.
‘Look, James, what a lovely place. Let’s stop here. It’s not a pub, but it looks like an absolutely fantastic spot.’
‘Sure, without a doubt they will have an outdoor eating area. Well spotted.’
James parked in the carpark of the roadside cafe and tearooms. The place was set just off the road, surrounded by a pleasant garden, and slightly hidden by some tall trees. Next to the entrance there was a chalkboard with the day’s lunchtime specials.
‘Homemade lasagna, that will do me.’ said James.
‘I am definitely going to try some of that, if you will let me, but I’m going for the chicken salad mix.’
‘Listen, you. You want lasagna, you buy lasagna. Hands off my plate.’
Lucy just took his arm, and laughed. She knew that he would end up offering her more than she could even eat of his dish. That was just the generous sort of person he was.
‘No beer for you, my good fellow, I want a sober driver, please.’
‘So that’s why you let me drive? Clever!’
‘Never underestimate a woman who loves her wine!’
By this stage they had formed an easy going banter between them. The banter of good friendship, at least according to James. They found a table out on the deck, overlooking some green fields, with a small, wooded hill in the background. You couldn’t want for a nicer setting for lunch. An energetic, middle aged woman took their order with great efficiency, and speed, and then dashed off in the direction of the kitchen.
‘It’s so beautiful here.’ said Lucy. ‘I would really love to end up living somewhere in the country. Somewhere like Aunty Claire’s place. A beautiful spot, but not too far from all the conveniences of the city. What about you? Could you ever see yourself leaving the urban sprawl?’
‘To be honest I have never really thought about it, but as you say, somewhere still handy to all the attractions of a town centre wouldn’t be bad. Although, I don’t really see your aunty heading into town very often. You could end up being a bit trapped in your beautiful prison.’
Lucy nodded her head in agreement.
‘That’s definitely her case. She never gets out. I hadn’t really thought about it like that. I guess when you just visit these lovely spots, briefly, you don’t really think about the long term reality of living in a place like this, or Claire’s. It’s actually a bit of a horrible thought. Trapped in a beautiful cage. Surrounded by beauty, but losing all perspective of it, because it holds you there, never letting you free.’
‘Yeah, well, drink your wine, and let’s just enjoy the beauty of this place, without getting too philosophical about it all.’
Lucy laughed, and raised her glass.
‘Cheers, my dear friend, enjoy your glass of water.’
They both laughed, as they sipped their respective drinks.
‘I’m sorry that you will be missing the rugby this afternoon. I know you really wanted to watch it with Dave. It’s just that with the long weekend I thought that it was a good opportunity to get away, and look at some of those nice historical remains you are always telling me about.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. Dave is away for the weekend, too. He’s taken off to a mate’s place, up north, for a bit of a rugby watching bonanza. Basically binge drinking, and binge watching rugby.’
‘Really? Well that makes me feel a bit better. I guess everyone is taking advantage of the long weekend for a bit of a break. Vicky is away, too. Staying at a friends place.’
James’s face lost it’s colour. He looked at Lucy, with a strange expression on his face. With hesitancy in his voice he asked;
‘What? Vicky is away this weekend too?’
‘Yes, she is catching up with an old friend. It’s a bit funny really, I hadn’t realised they were still that close.’
James put down his knife and fork, and looked across the fields, with an obviously worried demeanor.
‘James? What’s going on? Why are you looking like that?’
James tried to regain his composure, but was obviously upset by something.
‘No, nothing. Sorry, I was just a bit distracted.’
‘Out with it, mister, something is on your mind. What?’
‘Really, it’s nothing. I was just thinking of something. Don’t worry.’
Lucy knew that something was up with James. With more insistence in her voice she continued to dig out the truth.
‘James, please, I think we should be honest with each other. What has spooked you like that? I can tell that something is troubling you.’
James realised that he had been put on the spot, so he decided that he may as well come clean. He related to Lucy what he knew about Dave’s affair with an unknown woman. An unknown woman who could quite possibly be Vicky, going by the sound of the latest developments. He told her what little Dave had said to him. Lucy listened to it all in a shocked silence.
‘And now you think that the mystery woman could be Vicky? My God, that would be terrible!’
‘Well, I don’t know. It’s just that with them both away for the same weekend, the suspicion is there. They did get to know each other through us, you know. I’m pretty sure they spoke a lot through the back channels.’
Lucy passed her hand across her chin, with a thoughtful expression on her face.
‘To be honest, both myself and Emma aren’t totally convinced with Vicky’s story for this weekend. The friend she is supposedly staying with is someone we haven’t really seen much of in years. I didn’t even think that they were still in touch. Emma found it a bit unusual as well. We thought that maybe she just needed a bit of time alone, away from the confusion of her busy life. You know, a break from the kids, and all that. My God, what if it’s true? Are we responsible for ruining their marriages?’
James could hear the alarmed tone on Lucy’s voice. He reached over the table, and placed his hand on hers.
‘Listen, whatever this is about, none of it is on us. We aren’t responsible for what other people get up to in their lives.’
Lucy was visibly upset. James just sat there musing, slightly dumbfounded. Of all the people Dave had to have an affair with, it had to be one of Lucy’s best friends. James tried to work through all the possible complications that this news could throw up. Lucy, too, was dwelling on the unwelcome news.
‘I’m going to phone Emma. I feel so responsible.’
Lucy went and sat at an empty table, then she got her phone out of her bag, and called her friend.
‘Hey, Em, how are you? Is this a good time?’
‘Hello, you. So how is the romantic weekend going? Off to a good start I hope? Oh, I’m so happy for you, both of you. Now don’t you go and.....’
‘Listen, Em, sorry to interrupt you, but I’ve just heard something a little worrying. You know how we were both a little surprised at Vicky’s reason for heading off for the weekend? Well, I’ve just heard something a bit disquieting from James.’
Lucy could hear the demeanour of her friend’s voice change.
‘Hey, What’s going on? Tell me.’
‘Well, just recently Dave admitted to him that he has a lover. He refused to say who it is, but actually he has gone away for the long weekend too. I’m wondering if....’
Without letting Lucy finish her sentence, Emma interrupted her, with a highly animated tone to her voice.
‘Oh my God! You know, that almost makes sense. They talked a lot about you two, and I know they met for coffees a few times, to chat about the whole deal. In fact, I found that a bit surprising. They only really needed to talk about things over the phone, or through messages, there was really no need to meet up in person. Dear God, Vicky! What on earth are you doing! Lucy, you realise that she is risking everything over this? Mike is a great guy, but I doubt he would be able to get past something like this. If he found out, he would almost certainly separate from her. What should we do?’
Emma’s voice conveyed the same sort of concern, almost panic, that Lucy felt.
‘If it’s true I don’t think there is much we can do. Probably we should keep a lid on it all, we don’t want to be responsible for getting the word out there. Do you think we should confront her with this, or just pretend we know nothing? My goodness, Em, I really don’t even know what to think. This is so big. I really hope it’s not true. Maybe it’s all just a coincidence?’
Lucy knew, even as she said the words, that she was clutching at straws, like a drowning man desperately hoping to stay afloat by clutching at nothing but a handful of air. Emma had no such illusions.
‘Good luck on that one.’
Emma was a very grounded person. She knew that two plus two always equaled four.
‘Listen, Lucy, with what we know, and Vicky’s strange behaviour, I think we may as well accept that it is true. What we should do, I’ve got no idea. I don’t even know if there is anything we can do. We are just going to have to play it by ear. What does James think about it all?’
‘He’s really cut up. He knows Dave’s wife really well. He’s known her for years, and they are good friends. Actually he’s on the phone now, probably with Dave. I’ll get back to you with any updates.’
Lucy said her goodbyes to Emma, and sat at the table reflecting on the intricacies of the situation. Also, she didn’t want to return to the table with James until he had finished his phone call, which was without a doubt with Dave.
James, meanwhile, back at his table, was also looking for clarification. He had phoned Dave.
‘James, my man, how are you? I bet you already wish you were going to be watching the rugby this afternoon, don’t you? Instead of being off galavanting around the place looking at the shattered wrecks of dead people’s lives.’
James was in no mood for Dave’s usual banter. An affair was one thing. Having it with one of Lucy’s best friends, well, that was just going too far.
‘Hey, you can cut the act. We have worked out what you are up to. You off watching rugby for the weekend, Vicky strangely looking up an old friend she hasn’t seen in years. Cut the crap, man, what the hell?’
Dave realised that the game was up, and went into defensive mode.
‘OK, OK, I know, at first glance it seems a bit over the top, but....’
‘Over the top? Shit man, she’s one of Lucy’s best friends, why the hell did you have to pick her? To not mention what it all means for Maureen, and Penelope. Just how many people’s live are you planning on throwing to the wind here?’
James was really angry at his friend.
‘Hey, Jimmy, I didn’t go looking for any of this. Actually it all started as a favour for you....’
‘Don’t give me any of that shit, now you’re doing this for me? That’s your excuse? You’re doing this as a favour to me?’
‘No, I didn’t mean that, just listen, I didn’t plan any of this. We talked a lot on the phone about you guys, then we