Sounds like FUN

Could revisiting her past leave Jackie free to pursue the future?

Jackie heard Dave’s key in the lock and the clunk of his briefcase being placed in the hall and bit her lip. She knew exactly what he would say. And what he’d do. He’d say ‘So how was your day, sweetheart?’ then he’d kiss her cheek and ask, ‘Kids behaved themselves today?’

Then he’d take off his jacket with his red, blue and black pens clipped firmly to the breast pocket, and sink down into his chair. He’d open his paper and read.

When he did this and turned first to the sports page as he always did, Jackie almost shouted ‘I knew it!’ But this would need explaining and hurt Dave’s feelings; something she didn’t want to do. He was a lovely man, she felt lucky to be with him, but sometimes he was just so terribly predictable.

She knew her friends envied her being married to Dave. He was dependable, a great dad, and head of the finance department of the local council. His warm, brown eyes and friendly smile ticked all the boxes for most women.

And from the day he met her, he’d made no secret of the fact he was madly in love with her. Her parents had introduced them rather hesitantly because they knew Jackie had a mind of her own about most things, but she had been attracted to him from the start.

‘He’s a really nice boy,’ her mother had whispered approvingly while Dave and her father discussed football over the barbecue. ‘He’s only 26 and he’s already rising through the ranks of his profession.’

‘You mean, unlike Larry who was evicted from his flat for not paying the rent?’ Even saying Larry’s name still hurt. ‘Oh Jackie, I didn’t mean that at all. But he wasn’t the right man for you, you know that. Thank heavens you saw a bit of sense before it was too late.’