‘You take it for granted, our time together.’
He laughed at her. ‘Why shouldn’t I? Nothing is ever going to stop us spending time together.’
The sun set as they walked along the beach. It was a beautiful, romantic evening.
‘What if your wife found out?’
‘Would that stop us? Maybe it would be for the better if she did know.’
‘Don’t say that. She’s my best friend. I can’t bear the hurt it would cause her if she knew.’
‘It’s been years. What is likely to change that would keep us apart?’
***
It was the last time she saw him. A week later the lockdown began. She ignored the warning. She just wanted to see him one last time. She stayed across the road from his house and saw him through the window, playing with his children. They looked happy together.
***
Where she had picked up the virus she couldn’t say. She kept away from everyone. It must have been in the air, or on a surface she had touched. She wished she had taken the advice seriously.
It hurt to breath. The pressure on her chest was like a tonne weight. The machine helped her, but it wasn’t enough. Through the plastic drapes she saw blurred bodies moving around in green and blue scrubs.
She would die alone. He had received her message but wasn’t allowed to visit her. She remembered the words in the text:
‘We will always be together.’
This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt: Together curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image. I keep trying to write about something other than the current pandemic, but it seems inevitable that most of my stories at the moment revolve around it. I’m looking forward to days on the other side of it. Hope everyone is safe.
A couple of great recent reviews of my first novel ‘A Justified State’ have appeared this week, do give them a read a pick up a copy:
Book Review of Iain Kelly’s “A Justified State”
https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2020/03/a-justified-state-first-of-three-medium.html
This story is sad on more than one level. For the dying lover, the spouse, and his children. Even for him. Yet the reality is scary.
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I do wonder what will happen to an awful lot of marriages, affairs and relationships through these weeks. It will certainly be testing for many. Thanks Michele.
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Very sad. I’m sure this is happening or will happen given the new reality.
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A lot of relationships will be feeling strain for different reasons at the moment, for sure.
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Distance is going to be heartbreaking for many.
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Very topical and realistic.
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Thank you
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Perhaps it is fortunate that my husband has been on disability retirement and I work from home for the past many years. We are used to being together 24/7. Who’d have thought?
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Got to look for the positives where we can find them at the moment 🙂
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I think even the dog is getting fed up with me being home all the time. Very poignant Iain
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It’s very strange for everyone, especially the pets!
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Oh my. That’s something to think about during these times, isn’t it? How many people are or were having affairs, and that’s interrupted by a pandemic. Powerful story.
Debut book you say? I interview debut authors at the Operation Awesome blog. There’s an opening in June, if you’re interested in some free publicity. You know where to find me.
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That would be great – any publicity is always welcome. How best to get in touch with you?
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Iain so well written, it hurt to read the ending, I fear to die alone and I could not bear any of my family to die alone either and yet that is how it is.
Relationships are going to be tested and no doubt words and actions regretted. So many variables to take on couples. Be safe.🌈💜
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Thank you, hope you are staying safe. The tragedy of those in hospital and the funerals that can’t be attended is heartbreaking.
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Thank you we are okay, I hope you and yours are all well too. I just can’t get my head around it all it is like being a horror movie or book! Still all we can do is smile and be kind 💜
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Ooh, your story sent a shudder down my spine Iain. The story starts with romance and illicit love then becomes somehow a moral tale.
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Thank you so much.
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This story brought tears to my eyes. My heart breaks for those who are dying alone and their families who aren’t able to see them or to say goodbye. I pray that your family and you be safe and well.
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Thank you, a difficult time for so many. Hope you are safe and well.
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