And Peggy

Who's the snob and who's the cheat?

All thoughts of Eliza and the Reynolds pamphlet forgotten, my breathing turns shallow as I gather all the letters in my fist and crumple them up into a ball.

I am vaguely aware of the study door and Stephan's surprised voice.

"Oh, Peggy? I thought you'd left for the post office already."

"Who is Cornelia Paterson?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"I- I don't know a Cornelia Paterson." Stephan stammers. "Who is she?"

"Who is she?" I snarl through gritted teeth. "She's the woman you've been sleeping with. That's who."

"H-how did you find out?"

"Funny story actually." I say in a deadly light tone. "I came up here to console my sister after her husband cheated on her and what do I find? A series of letters written by a Mrs Cornelia Paterson. An already married woman written to an already married man. Does our marriage mean nothing to you, Stephan? Am I not good enough for you?"

"Peggy, please-""

"No! Only my friends and loved ones get to call me Peggy. It's Margarita to you."

"Please dear. Let me explain." He says desperately. "I met Cornelia at work. My colleague Mr Paterson had forgotten his files so his wife, Cornelia, dropped them off for him. Afterwards, I bumped into her and we got talking. It turns out that we have a lot in common. Since I had to go to work and she wasn't allowed in the office, I invited her over to our house with the intention of some tea. I also thought she could meet you. But when I got home, you were out of the house so I-"

"SO YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS WOMAN INTO OUR BED?!"

"So I just had tea with her alone." Stephan continues. "Suddenly her lips were an inch from mine and she closed the space. Then she took my hand and led me upstairs. You know what happened next." He hangs his head in shame.

"SO YOU DIDN'T THINK 'Oh, that's right, I'm happily married'?"

Stephan scoffs. "Pfffft, I'd hardly call it happy. You never let me touch you. You're always looking for excuses to get out of the house. To get away from me!"

"Oh yeah, AND THAT'S WORKED OUT WELL FOR YOU, HASN'T IT?! I've tried, Stephan. I've tried, to spend time with you but you're always working."
As soon as the word slips out of my mouth, I know it's a lie.
"But that's not what you were doing was it?" I start slowly. "You were cuddling with that woman WHILE I WAS IN THE HOUSE?! TRUE, I'VE NEVER LOVED YOU BUT I THINK OF YOU AS A BEST FRIEND AND I'VE ALWAYS RESPECTED YOU. It's a shame I can't say the same about you." I finish in an icy, disappointed voice before giving him the cold shoulder.

With a swish of my dress, I turn and flee into our shared room, slamming the door behind me so I can wipe away the tears that I didn't realise I had in peace.

"Peggy, come on," Stephan pleas desperately from the other side of the door. There is a thud as he leans his head against the door in defeat. "You can't leave. Please. I love you."

"NO, STEPHAN! YOU LIE AND CHEAT AND DECEIVE ME AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK FOR MY FORGIVENESS? I DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT!"

I lug The biggest suitcase I can find out of the closet and start tossing item after item of clothing into it. The sandy dress from our first date. The veil from our wedding.
By the time I start throwing shoes in, my vision is so blurred by tears that I can't distinguish between each pair.

I thrust open the bedroom door and Stephan trips into the room. As I storm out, Stephan recovers and grabs my wrist.

"Get. Off. Me." I growl through gritted teeth but he just holds tighter. I swing the suitcase at him- nearly overbalancing myself in the process- and he lets go to avoid having the wind knocked out of him. I take advantage of the space and start running down the grand marble staircase, the suitcase hitting each step with a thunk.