Just Divorced

Just Divorced











Jo had shed a tear earlier that morning as she read the letter from her solicitor. Her divorce was now final. She wasn’t really sure about why she had cried, as she folded the piece of paper that said her marriage was over. The divorce had been something she had instigated after she had found out about Phil’s affair; perhaps it was because another chapter in her life had come to an end that had made her sad, and the uncertainty of the future. At 28, she was single again.





To help her move on, five of her friends from work had organised a girls night out. A meal at the popular Jade Garden Cantonese restaurant followed by a visit to the local nightclub had been organised. Jo was not as enthusiastic about nightclubs as the rest of the girls, but she knew that for them it was an escape from domesticity, and she was grateful for their help. Sally in particular had always been there to support her, and it had been really needed during the early period of separation when things got quite acrimonious.





Tonight however Jo was feeling good and was even prepared to wear the large sheet of decorated A4 card saying ‘Just Divorced’ that Sally had pinned to her back. They had just finished their desert course and a fourth bottle of wine when he walked in. It had been almost a year since she had last seen the man that had been her husband for seven years. He didn’t see her at first as he sat down in the reception area and studied the menu. He still looked the same; well dressed, tall, athletic and dark haired. She had to admit to herself that he was still the best looking man she had ever known. It was when he looked up to give his order to the waiter that he saw her. The shock on his face was visible to all. “What’s he doing here?” Sally said to her as she poked her in the ribs.





Jo looked away “I don’t know.” She replied.





She looked at him again and noticed he was shaking his head to the waiter as he stood up. He was leaving. Jo felt guilty and suddenly found herself walking to the door. “Please don’t go on my account.” She told him.





“I…I have to…I could get into trouble.” He told her.





For a moment Jo had forgotten the restraining order she had taken out against him eighteen months earlier. He hadn’t been violent towards her, far from it, Phil was always gentle. But when she had first thrown him out the house he had pestered and pestered her to take him back. When he kept turning up at her work she was left with no option but to officially stop him from coming near her.





“It’s okay with me if you want to stay.”





He glanced across at her table and noticed the girls staring at them. “You’re with company I should leave you to enjoy yourself.”





Jo smiled as she remembered his considerate nature. Suddenly she grabbed his arm “Don’t go…stay…join us if you want.”





Moments later she had guided him to a place beside her at the table. “Well this must be a bloody first,” one of girls said “Celebrating your divorce with your ex!”





Some of the others laughed but Jo glared at her. “That wasn’t nice Janice,” she said.

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