“How's the dating going?” My friend Anna asked me over the phone.
I stifled a sigh. “I don't feel ready for dating yet.”
“Nonsense,” she said. “Staying in every night moping won't help you at all. David has left. Move on, Mia.”
“I'd better go. I have some pasta cooking in a pan. See you later!”
There wasn't any pasta in a pan – it was just a way of ending the call. I was getting fed- up of Anna badgering me about dating.
I wouldn't admit this to her, but I was actually still in love with my husband.
I checked my phone again for messages. There weren't any. I sighed.
My engineer husband David and I were currently separated. Yet I'd hoped he'd stay in touch. After all, I reasoned, we'd been married a long time.
Two months ago, he'd moved out to stay with his bachelor brother, Phil.
My mind flew back...
On the sofa, he'd faced me. “I have something to say, Mia.”
My heart lurched. Was this a confession to an affair?
“I'm fifty five and stuck in a rut. You know that I've wanted to explore a different career for some time.”
I nodded. I'd also hankered after an alternative occupation.
I was a receptionist for the council in the planning department. Although it was demanding, it was hardly what I'd call exciting.
David and I had previously discussed several joint ventures that we'd own and run together – buying a seaside B&B, running a cattery and setting up an e-publishing enterprise were just some of the ideas.
Yet they all sounded too taxing, so we'd left it and ploughed on... when he touched my hand, I was brought back to the present.
He'd taken a deep breath. “I'm sorry love, but I need a bit of time and space on my own to think about things. I'm going to stay with Phil.”
I guess he'll be mulling over starting a new life on his own, I thought.
I'd blinked back tears.
“I'll miss you. Do we keep in contact?”
“I'll contact you,” he said.
There was something about his tone...when he did contact me, I sensed it would be a make or break decision.
***
When I broke the split news to Anna, she beetled round, booted up the laptop and encouraged me to plunge into the world of online dating.
I really wasn't keen.
“Look, it's almost Valentine's day. How about looking at a dating site for the over 50's?”
I shrugged. “Okay. I'll give it a go.”
Well, I thought, if it made her happy, fair enough.
Gent number one was a pharmacist called Dom.
However, his profile photo was twenty years out of date, so instead of a jean- clad, muscly hunk, a craggy looking chap in mustard cords and purple spectacles turned up.
Over dinner, we began to chat about our work - however, Dom led the conversation.
It wasn't easy, tucking in while listening to the intricate details of how certain medication helped patients with their ongoing aliments.
After the main, I created a plausible excuse and beat a hasty retreat.
Gent number two was a handsome suited and booted estate agent called Dale.
He seemed better.
Yet again, he focused on his career and bragged about his string of successful sales.
When I managed to get a word in, I told him what I did.
“There must be a possibility of promotion. How long have you been there?”
I gulped. “A long time.”
“You like plodding along, eh? Well, there's comfort in safety. Now, what shall we have for dessert?”
I stood up and scooped up my bag. “Nothing for me. Goodbye Dale.”
***
A week later, it was Valentine's day. When a huge, showy bouquet of flowers arrived for me at work, I was pleased – yet puzzled.
“What does the card say?” My colleague Helen asked.
I peered at the message. “'Meet me at 8 pm, tonight at Theo's. D'.”
I frowned. Who the heck was D?
Then my heart sunk.
'D' was probably Dom or Dale. I'd mentioned the council department where I worked, so they knew where to send flowers.
I didn't want to see either of them again, yet I had no way of contacting them. I hadn't swapped numbers, social media details or email addresses with Dom or Dale.
Since I'd ended my membership with the dating site, I couldn't message them via their system.
I didn't fancy trawling social media to find them, either.
I turned to Helen. “On this date tonight, will you text me at ten past eight? If all's well, I won't reply. If it isn't, I'll text back and leave.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
As I got ready that evening, I practised my 'This isn't going to work' speech.
With my pulse racing, I pushed the door of Theo's.
I didn't see anyone I recognised. Then I heard a familiar voice.
“Hello Mia.”
My heart almost stopped. It was David, looking very smart!
“What are you doing here?” I gasped.
He smiled. “I invited you.”
My head spun. “Why didn't you put your name on the florist's card?”
He shifted. “I wasn't sure if you'd turn up if you knew it was me. I've booked a table.”
When we were seated, David launched straight in. “I've been silly. I'm sorry. I love you so much, Mia.”
My heart filled with joy.
“I love you, too. But we desperately need a career change. I've been looking at options. Do you think house and pet sitting would suit us?”
His face lit up. “That's a brilliant idea. Let's go for it!”
I was relieved and happy. It had been a truly lovely Valentine's day.
I had a brand new future to look forward to!
What's a cattery? Is it cat cafe?
Lovely story! They just needed a little change