Deasil Street9.4

It had been a while since Jen and Angus had got married, and she had finally got her downstairs flat on the market. There had been a couple of viewings, but one unwelcome visitor kept turning up.

Jen tried to ignore him, but one morning he camped out by her front door. She had to walk past him to go to work, so decided to confront him.

He tried to explain that he needed to talk to her. He started to babble, trying out topics to get her to talk, to engage with him. A client was suing him, could she pull some strings? Could he have the recipe for sausage casserole she used to make? Did she know Angus had a history of domestic violence?

Jen was not impressed. It was bad enough Pablo was hanging around, but trying to drive a wedge between her and her husband? Enough was enough.

She told him firmly that if he didn’t leave she would call the police. She would be taking out a restraining order today regardless. He was not welcome, never would be.

He scurried away shouting abuse. Jen wiped away tears, finding herself filled with pity for her ex-husband. He was a shadow of his former, confident self. She would never regret kicking him out, but she did wish life had gone a little better for him.

She told Angus all about it that night in bed. She was concerned the restraining order wouldn’t be enough, Pablo was persistent and in his current state who knew what he was capable of.He had nothing now, nothing except for her and the hope she would take him back. It was a little scary.

Angus suggested they leave. Just pack up and go. Her flat was on the market, they could tell the landlord to stick both on. Her career was on the up but stalling because of the stagnancy of the council in Appaloosa… there was nothing holding either of them here. Jen agreed, perhaps a fresh start elsewhere was the way to go.

Angus didn’t waste much time. Being somewhat nomadic for years he knew the quickest way to move, and got on it right away.

He was worried about his wife. She was looking out of windows nervously, and checking caller ID before picking up the phone – something she’d never done before.

Appaloosa had given him Jen, but he couldn’t wait to leave.

He soon found them a house in Sunset Valley, so it was time to go. Warren and Teresa had invited them to dinner, so Jen decided to break the news then.

Warren and Jen had both moved to Deasil Street when it was a brand new development, and had become friends quickly. Warren had since lost his first wife Miranda, and Jen had divorced Pablo, but they had always been firm friends.

Warren and Teresa had helped Jen regain her confidence, and Teresa especially had become her best friend. It was a sad parting, but Warren was glad she had found happiness.

In the end, they parted with smiles all round. Jen would be safe and happy with Angus in Sunset Valley, her friends could hope for nothing more for her.