These things happen. That was about all I had to hold on to. My ten days away from home − and Kim − had been naughty, because of Jennifer’s visits, but also lonely. Nothing makes you feel more alone than, time and time again, watching a lover go back to their partner. At night, after Jennifer had left, I lay on the sheets we rumpled. I couldn’t let Jamie (the dog) in because Liz had made it clear he was not allowed in the bedrooms − I wondered what her policy on mistresses was. All alone I tossed and turned and I realised it would be impossible to return to the house and pretend everything was normal. I had made some half-hearted attempts at discussing it with Jennifer but the purpose of her visits was not to talk. It was as if she had a million demons to exorcise and sex was the only means. I understood that saying it out loud would have made it too real for her, too painful. We didn’t speak of it, we just let it hang between us, in the musky sex-stained air.

On the day of Liz and Andrew’s return I waited for them in their living room, Jamie − who knew it all − by my side. I asked Andrew if I could talk to Liz in private for a moment and then I told her. I nervously informed her about what had gone down in her apartment during her absence. She stared at me, disbelief seizing her face and asked, “Have you not learnt anything from Nathalie?”
“This is different.”
“How is it different? Jennifer is not available. She is cheating. You both are. Again.” She was right, of course. But sometimes, someone just really needs to state the obvious.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
“Of course you can. But what are you going to do? You can’t stay here forever.”
“I don’t know. Find a new place to live, I guess.” Then the flood gates opened. I wanted Liz to feel as sorry for me as I was feeling for myself, not that I deserved any pity. I just needed a friend who wouldn’t judge me. Liz wrapped her arm around me and handed me a tissue. The universal gesture of understanding.
“You can stay here as long as you like, Lee. Just don’t carry on with Jennifer under my roof, OK? I won’t have that.” I felt like a little girl being scolded by her mother.
“God no, of course not.” Liz closed her eyes and sighed. She looked tired and pale. I presumed it was from traveling, not from finding out about my shenanigans in her guest room.
“At some point you will have to tell Kim. Won’t she wonder why you’re not coming home?”
“I’m sure she will. What a mess, eh?”
“I can’t leave you alone for a second, can I?” There was the little girl again. Liz held me tight and kissed me on the forehead. “Oh Lee, when will you ever learn?” And there was that question again.

I hadn’t spoken to Kim in ten days. I had ignored her calls because I couldn’t bear to hear her voice and I didn’t have answers to the questions she was bound to ask, questions about Olivia and, quite possibly, other things. I preferred communicating with her through text messages. Instead of calling her, I dialled Jack’s number to let the house know I would stay at Liz’s a bit longer. Before Jack ended our conversation he asked, in a much more earnest tone than usual, “Lee, is there something I should know?” I didn’t immediately reply, which probably said enough, but then I simply answered, “No.” An hour later he rang Liz’s bell.

To be continued…