Staring absent-mindedly out of the window, Nicola stirred her coffee. Another empty day stretched ahead. She had spent decades looking forward to all the countries she would visit with her husband Greg in their retirement, and now she was stuck at home.
She recalled the terrible argument they had two months ago, when she had suggested a Mediterranean trip. Greg had scoffed and said he would rather go and watch the Ryder Cup with his friends. Eventually, he had admitted his fear of flying – a fear he had kept hidden during the years of holidays at Butlins with the kids. So now adventures abroad seemed out of the question.
‘Morning, love,’ Greg said, interrupting her thoughts.
‘Morning. Could we go somewhere together today? There’s a new cafe opening in town,’ asked Nicola hopefully as she made breakfast.
‘Sorry. Not today. I’m playing 18 holes this morning, then it’s the AGM of the detectorists’ club.’
Story of my life, Nicola thought as he went out to the shed. She was second place to golf clubs
