This is for Elli's 45 minute fiction. In hindsight, it's far too short. Might rewrite this properly when there's time.

18 minutes to write, 4 to edit. 22 minutes total. It probably shows.

Solid ground

Who lived a safe, dull, boring existence? I did, that’s who. I took the easy road, I acquiesced, I agreed, I went along, even when I was seething inside. At least that way I was on solid ground. The status quo wouldn’t be disturbed. I was safe.

So, when she asked me where we should go on our holidays this year, I already knew the answer I was expected to give: the Lake District, in that rather sumptuous hotel in Bowness. But I didn’t want to go there, not again. Nor did I want The Treatment: cold absences until I apologised for having an opinion when asked. I don’t know what made me say it, but I did.

‘Actually Deborah, I quite fancy Australia this year.’

‘AustraliaTerry? But you can’t stand the heat.’

‘It never bothered me before.’

‘And what about the flying. You know you don’t like flying.’

‘I don’t mind flying.’

And it went on: Deborah trying to point out the error of my opinion so that I’d capitulate and remember that really I’d like to go to the lakes.

‘Actually Deborah, I really want to go to Australia. I don’t want to go to the Lake District this year. I think four years running would be a bit much. It’s a big world out there. And it’s not like we can’t afford it.’

I couldn’t quite believe it myself, but I’d said it. I couldn’t easily wriggle my way out of this by backing down.

‘You selfish bastard.’

Ah. Change of tactics now.

‘You know how I love our fortnight in the lakes. The hotel is absolutely fantastic. I can’t understand why you’d want to spoil this for me.’

You see? How do you answer that? I wasn’t trying to spoil anything for her. She asked me a question and I answered. She got an answer she wasn’t expecting and I’m to blame. See where not acquiescing gets you? The thing is, I didn’t want to upset her, but I think I was being reasonable.

‘I’ll bet there are some fantastic hotels in Australia Deborah. I’m not trying to spoil anything for you.’

‘We’re going to the Lake District.’

And with that she flounced out so that we couldn’t discuss it anymore.


                                                    ~~~x~~~

This is where going against the grain gets you. I’m unsure. She still hasn’t spoken to me. I don’t know if she’s angry with me for having an opinion. I don’t know if she’s angry because she genuinely feels I’m being selfish. I don’t know if this is the straw that will push our fragile marriage to breaking point.

She’s on solid ground, in Bowness as a matter of fact.

And me? I’m up in the air, half way to Australia. This is where I’ve arrived so far. What I don’t know is, will there be solid ground on my return?