Susan stopped and stared.
It was him. Her husband. She had just exited the mall and on the forecourt was an outdoor cafe. It was lunch hour and she had just been grabbing a bite to eat when she saw him.
Some fifty to sixty feet from her was her husband. Sitting at one of the small outdoor tables enjoying the sun. What had made her start though was his companion. A tall, slender woman dressed in business attire. Pencil skirt and blouse. She was very attractive. She watched aghast as the pair laughed and joked together. Her eyes were drawn to the intimacy implied in their every movement.
He was obviously telling a joke, expansively waving his arms at the punchline. The other woman threw back her head and laughed. The tinkling of it carried over to her, piercing her heart. Then the woman leant forward and gently kissed her husband. Her husband.
She dropped her sandwich from numb fingers as they carried on with the kiss. No casual touch on the cheek this but a fully fledged kiss of passion that spoke of much more. She gulped in a breath of air. She needed to sit. To process. No, this can't be right. She moved closer, saw him drop a hand to the other woman's knee.
Something snapped within her then and she propelled herself toward them screeching in anger. They turned as one. As one.
'Get away from my husband!'
'What?' The woman looked surprised but bemused. 'Your husband? Who the fuck are you?'
She could not believe the audacity of this. Her husband, caught in the act. Caught! And this woman, this preening floozie had the nerve to ask who she was? As for her husband, he stared agape. Oh you unfaithful bastard.
'I am his wife! Get your hands off him. And as for you Ron. You disgusting bastard.How long? HOW LONG!'
She was at their table now. Aware she was shouting. The woman had scraped her chair back and was standing, face white with fury.
'He's not your husband you mad bitch. Now fuck off. God, can't people just enjoy a coffee in the sun without this kind of shit happening. Fuck off or I will call the police.'
'The police? The Po-leece?! Go on call them. Can't you get your own man?'
'HE is my man you mad bitch, now fuck off like I said.'
Ron sat there, his face red and bewildered. Jesus, was he just going to sit there and not say anything?
Susan!
The shout came from behind. A large woman barreling toward them. She caught up and took in the tableau instantly.
'For god sake Susan, I turn my back for a minute and you hare off. Goodness now. Don't be bothering these nice people.'
The larger woman turned to the couple at the table, placing a hand firmly on Susan's arm, beginning to tug her away.
'I'm sorry, she isn't used to crowds. I shouldn't have let her get away from me. Come on Susan, let's get you calmed down.'
Susan let herself be pulled away. Her husband? Wasn't he her husband? Was he? 'But he's my husband, Ron?' She croaked feebly.
'Oh Susan. Come now. You've never even been bloody married.'