caught out that he has no intention of reconciling. So what’s the point in talking about it, it’s only me that stands to get hurt by that and I just can’t take any more misery right now.
It’s Saturday morning, Caz informed me last night that she would be over around midday, no doubt to try and force feed me. I’ve taken to cleaning up before she arrives continuing the pretence that I’m doing better. I’ve just packed the hoover away when she knocks on the door. Opening it wide it’s not just Caz but my parents too, all gazing at me with that pitying look I’ve come to know oh so well.
Dad is the first to speak “this is an intervention love” he states in his usual frankness. Mum and Caz immediately shoot him frosty glares, “what?” he shrugs “it is!” he seems exasperated by the two of them; Stepping in, he gives me a brief hug before making his way to the sitting room. Moving to one side I signal for mum and Caz to follow.
Sitting in the living room around the coffee table Mum begins “love, we are worried about you” I open my mouth to protest but she raises her hand to silence me, “we know you’re not coping, look at you, you look ill sweetheart.” Giving me those pitiful eyes again “now we know this is hard, and no one expects you to bounce right back, you and….” I can see she is afraid to even speak his name in front of me “well you were together for a long time, it’s going to be hard, but what with living here with all those memories and how hard you’ve been working recently, it’s just….it’s not healthy.” She looks tortured and it makes me realise suddenly what I must have been putting her through this last 4weeks. She has always worried about me, even when I’m doing a sterling job of putting on a brave face. But now as much as I’m trying my body is letting me down, showing the effects of my stress right there for all to see. “oh mum, I’m sorry” I sincerely apologise.
“No, no sweetheart. None of this is your fault, we just hate seeing you this way” as she takes my hand silent tears start to well up, threatening to spill over at a moment’s notice.
Now Caz chips in “Have you thought about maybe putting this place on the market? I’ve looked into it and you’d be at least doubling what you paid for it?” she suggests gently.
I hadn’t even thought about it. I had come into some money when my grandparents died in my teens and ever the sensible one, I invested in this house. All through school and university I had rented it out, but once I married we moved in and have been here ever since. It’s true the only memories I have of this house are with Jake.
“It’s an idea, I’m just not sure I can take on all that comes with selling a house and finding somewhere else and moving…” I finish dejectedly.
“Well that’s where we come in” Caz starts more determined now, “I can do everything to sell this place, you just give a brief to your parents of what you want in another place and they can do that side. There are firms you can hire to do the whole move for you?” Caz has always been organised; I’m almost surprised that she hasn’t gone ahead and done it all already.
Finally dad re-joins the conversation “Caz is right love, your mum and me, we’ve been looking for a project and nothing would make us happier than to do something to help you back on your feet” I glance at him lovingly, they really are the best parents anyone could ask for. “Now there is just one more thing, and it’s all arranged so I don’t want any arguments OK?” his tone has gone stern so I know he is serious “you’re going to Mexico.”
“Err…what?” what’s that supposed to mean? Noting my alarm Caz jumps back in “next month, it’s all paid for, 3weeks in an all-inclusive resort; you need to get away, clear your head, plus it will give us some time to get the house sorted” she states as a matter of fact.
“But…” I start my protest.
“No love you’re going, it’s booked and Caz cleared it with your work, you need some space” Dad still has his stern voice on.