There was never any question of a reconciliation. There hadn\u2019t been a dramatic rift, just a dwindling, eroding sense of partnership. What remained was an exchange of items and after that, their disentanglement : all that had been done was to be finally undone in this ritual handover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The separation had been efficiently accomplished. The flat was on the market and new living arrangements were in place. Guy and Freya showed no animosity, indeed they intended to remain on friendly terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u2018 I found some papers of yours in with my stuff. Pay-slips, P60s, that kind of thing. Didn\u2019t want to throw them away in case you needed them.\u2019 Guy handed over a slim file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Thanks. Most of it\u2019s online but I\u2019ll shred them at work.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Oh and I\u2019ve got some music and DVDs we bought. Out of date tech, but I still regret getting rid of my vinyls, so you might want to look through them and decide.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Freya flicked through the plastic cases, \u2018It\u2019s funny how our tastes changed isn\u2019t it? I\u2019ll bet some of these come back as vintage in time, still, can\u2019t hang onto everything.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed not, although the photos to be shared out brought a few tears to Freya\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Are you OK? You do look a bit pale. Maybe a glass of wine. I remembered to bring the booze but nothing to drink it from. Have to take turns swigging it from the bottle.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Reminds me when we went camping without a tin opener,\u2019 Freya looked through the photos and found evidence of the camping holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Well, at least I remembered the tent pegs.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Yes, but not the mallet,\u2019 Freya was smiling now. \u2018We did have some good times though, didn\u2019t we?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They chatted over the remaining things to be divvied up, then Freya did a deep dive into her bag and eventually came up with a small box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018I think I should return this because it belonged to your mother and you may need it in future.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Freya, I gave the ring to you and I want you to have it. It\u2019s yours.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More tears leaked from Freya\u2019s reddened eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018It\u2019s tough isn\u2019t it, each claiming what we once owned together?\u2019 Guy was getting a bit tearful too but took a deep breath. \u2018So is that everything shared out? Are we good to go?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Yes\u2019 Freya said, \u2018except there\u2019s one thing which you may not want to share. I couldn\u2019t decide whether to tell you or not, and I don\u2019t want you to feel bound by it, but the last thing we made together is just 16 weeks old and it would be great if you wanted a part of that. But it\u2019s up to you.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took Guy a few seconds to catch up with what Freya was saying, \u2018You mean you\u2019re\u2026I mean we\u2019re going to.. what should we do\u2026?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best thing seemed to be a long tender hug before the situation could start to be unraveled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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