The Lovers

Susan lay awake on her bed. She looked at his sleeping body with love and pity. Love because as a husband he’d always been exemplary. Pity because she knew he wouldn’t be her husband for longer. She couldn’t carry on the facade any longer. It was their 5th anniversary and they’d just made love. True to his nature he was fast asleep within minutes but Susan lay awake. Wide awake.

It all started 6 months ago with a phone call.

Susan couldn’t believe the voice she was hearing at the other end of the phone. She had last spoken to James five years ago. It had been their last meeting. She had broken his heart and walked out of his life and into the life of John, her to be husband. James had cried begged pleaded with her to give her one more chance. He would never cheat again with her. But Susan had made her mind up. Once a cheat always a cheat were her last words to James. All those memories came flooding back to her as she heard his voice that day.

Eventually she met him. At their old jaunt The Coffee Place. I could never forget you Susan, he said as he clasped her hands tightly. She always loved his firm grip. It was the sign of a confident and honest man she always felt. He looked into her eyes and she could see all the love he still carried for her. She set me up Susan she set me up, he pleaded. I tried to tell you but you were too hurt too angry to even listen. Yes I was drunk but she came on to me and forced herself on me. And recorded it on her phone as well. Why would I Susan. Why? His tears fell on their entwined hands as he broke down.

She looked at him and sighed. She had wasted five years of her life with John. She had married out of anger. Out of spite for James. And now she regretted it. Not that John was ever a bad husband. In fact he never gave her any reason to complain. Loved her with all his heart. But try as much as she did, she could never forget James and love John. It was her first love that always remained embedded deep inside her. So many times James’ face came to her mind when she made love to her husband. She too had not forgotten him.

I want to get out of this marriage she cried to him. Please help me James. He loved the way she held his hands, all the while looking him right in the eyes.

It was a cold November evening when they hatched the plan. James would fire blanks at John and the latter’s weak heart would give away. It would be the perfect murder. Never could be proven as murder. Just look like a simple heart attack. It was just brilliant. Susan and James kissed passionately after they agreed on the final plan. I can’t wait to be with you darling he told her, as they embraced.

The shots were fired. James stood transfixed as he saw John’s body slump to the floor, blood oozing from his mouth. The gun seemed stuck to his hand as his eyes followed John’s falling body. He stared at the lifeless body lying in front of him in a pool of blood. His mind went blank.

The cops had a field day. They’d never had it so easy. Susan’s ex lover had killed her loving husband in a fit of jealous rage. The hapless devoted widow was left mourning her loving husband. All of James’ explanations and clarifications fell on deaf ears. It was an open and shut case.

Susan took off her veil after the memorial service. She was tired, emotionally and physically drained. She felt a hand on her shoulders as she sat on the dining table. It was Mark, her husband’s younger brother. She looked at him with a smile and then stroked his hand, kissing it a couple of times.

We did it darling. We did it. It took us five years but we did it. No one between us now and all the money is ours, Susan’s voice trembled with quiet excitement as she spoke.

I planted the girl on James so you could break up with him for a valid reason. John always liked you, the sneaky bastard. Didn’t care if his brother liked you too. Always thought his money would buy you. So I played him. And played him well. And you my dear what a wonderful act you put up for five years. Mark was all praise for Susan.

And your master stroke was to find James and bring him back in the scene. That was simply brilliant, Susan said, paying back the compliment to Mark.

She got up and both of them hugged. Mark placed his lips on Susan’s.

The message from the solicitor confirming the transfer of the property deed and other of John’s possessions in Susan’s name, lay unread as the lovers continued kissing each other passionately.

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