Snap

 

Snap

‘It’s only a week Stuart,’ said Siobhan. ‘It’ll be fine. Eilidh can look after Laura until you come home from work.’
I didn’t mind that part of it really. I love my daughter Laura, and I did a lot of the evening things with her already – bath time fun, getting her ready for bed, reading her stories.  She’s a precocious wee soul – nearly four, so she’d be going to school next year, and it would be harder for Siobhan to take a whole week off to go on a residential photography course. I got on well with her older sister Eilidh too, and so did Laura. Eilidh’s a single mum, after the break-up of her marriage, and her wee boy Callum was the same age as our Laura.
‘It’ll be almost as easy for her looking after two as one at that age,’ said Siobhan.
But she and I had never been apart since our wedding seven years ago, and I knew we’d miss each other, even if it was only for a week. She’d taken up photography about a year ago, and she’d started attending an evening class, one night a week, with more and more enthusiasm. I couldn’t deny her the chance to do some intensive study to further her interest.
Of course I said yes. She showed me her course details – a week in the University’s halls of residence, while the students were on holiday. Her tutor, Dr MacCandless, was also her night school tutor, and he’d be assisted by a distinguished local photographer with letters after his name. The printout said they’d be covering nature, landscape, urban and social photography, portraiture and presentation. The eight students would check in to their rooms on Saturday morning by 11am and then meet for lunch in the University café. Later they’d each separately go for a walk round the campus with their cameras. A “getting to know you” meal would follow, and then they’d have a slide show of the shots they’d taken, with discussion led by their tutors.
I was actually envious. I’m not much of a photographer, but I’d love to have time to indulge my hobby, not that vegetable growing would need a week-long course. But it sounded interesting.
‘You’ll need to give me a slide show when you get back,’ I said.
Eilidh came round with Callum one evening, and we sorted out all the details.
And then Siobhan packed her things on the Friday night, and the next morning she was off. She took the car, of course, so next week I’d have to get myself to work by public transport – train then bus.
Just before six she phoned me. I’d made Laura our supper – macaroni and cheese, with oven chips – took a photo of her with my phone, then wiped the tomato sauce off her face. I sent the photo to Siobhan, and soon after that she phoned me.
‘Love the photo Stuart. Everything OK?’
‘Yes, fine. How are things with you?’
‘It’s exciting. I had a lovely walk round the grounds, photographed the trees and the lake with the ducks. We’re meeting soon for our meal and the slide show afterwards, so I don’t have long.’
‘You going out to eat?’
‘No, Dr MacCandless has ordered pizzas, and he’s laid in some bottles of prosecco.’
‘That’ll be nice. Don’t drink too much.’
‘Why not? It feels like I’m on holiday.. Well, must go Stuart. I’ll phone again tomorrow evening. Love you.’
‘Love you too. Bye,’ I said.
The rest of the weekend was fine, and then on Monday morning Eilidh came round with Callum at 7.30 so I could get off for my train.
Eilidh joined Laura and I for our supper, which I cooked, and she was great company. Then she and Callum left to go home, and I put Laura to bed. I was expecting a phone call from Siobhan, but it didn’t come. Before I got into bed I checked my mobile, and there was a text from her.
<Sorry I didn’t have time to phone. So much going on here. I’ll phone tomorrow. S>
No “Love” at the end of the message, no “xxx” which she usually signed off with.
She didn’t phone on Tuesday night, and nor did she text me.
When I got home on the Wednesday evening Eilidh was looking rather pensive.
‘What’s wrong Eilidh?’
‘Nothing Stuart, just got a lot on my mind just now.’
Before she left that evening she gave me a hug, which was very unusual.
‘Goodnight, dear Stuart, I’ll see you tomorrow.’
There was a text from Siobhan that night. My phone buzzed around midnight, waking me up.
<I’m so so sorry, Stuart. I’ll see you on Saturday. Kiss Laura for me. S>
Thursday evening Eilidh didn’t hide her tears.
‘Siobhan phoned me yesterday. She’s fallen for her tutor.’
‘Dr MacCandless?’
‘Yes, Danny MacCandless. She’s leaving you Stuart. Apparently it started at her night school classes. She’s been seeing him for a few months now.’
‘What about Laura?’
‘She didn’t mention Laura. But she’s pregnant, and she says Danny’s the father.’

It’s now six months later, and I can’t believe all the things that have happened since then, some tragic, others surprisingly joyous. I moved in with Eilidh and Callum, and brought Laura with me. I won’t say we love each other yet, but it’s definitely on the cards. Siobhan moved in with Danny MacCandless, and she’s just given birth to a boy. I don’t know what his name is, and to be honest I don’t care. Our divorce is going through just now. We sold our house and split the profits, not that they amounted to much. She sees Laura once a week, at Eilidh’s house. I don’t know if she still takes photographs.

Copyright © Colin Will 2019