I dont love you any more, Poppy, Leonard said firmly. Ive weighed the pros and cons for a long time and Ive realised the truth: Im not in love.
Leonard sat at the kitchen table, speaking to Poppy, who stood by the window.
I saw this coming a long while ago, Len, Poppy replied, sighing sadly.
A long while? Leonard asked, surprised. Really?
Does it surprise you? Poppy opened the window, inhaled fresh air, smiled, and shut it again.
No, but I thought you didnt know, Leonard chuckled bitterly. In that case, Poppy, things become simple. We have to part.
Are you sure thats what you want? Poppy asked. Do you think its right? After all, weve been married for years and we have a child.
Ill pay child support and everything else, Leonard said. Ill still help you financially. You can count on that. And I need nothing from you, Poppy.
What do you mean, I need nothing? Poppy was puzzled.
I mean I wont claim the house or split the assets, Leonard said, looking at the empty table.
You mean the house and the cottage in York that I bought before we married? Poppy asked. You wont share those?
No, Poppy, no, Leonard replied, because Im above that. If I were a less noble man, I would have stripped you of everything, Poppy.
Stripped? Poppy repeated.
Stripped, Poppy, stripped, Leonard said. Id have left you and our daughter with nothing. But I wont. I leave everything to you. Take it. I want nothing. Thats the kind of man I am. A man with a clear conscience.
Thank you, Len, Poppy said. Youre a real gentleman, unlike some.
Some? Leonard didnt understand, lifted his head and glanced at the fridge.
The ones whose conscience isnt as clean as yours, Poppy clarified.
Ah, those, Leonard realised who she meant, and looked at the sink piled with unwashed dishes. Yes, there are many men who, politely put, disgrace that title. You wouldnt believe it, Poppy, but there are such characters you just shake your head at! How many of them does the world produce?
Poppy smirked, still by the window, watching the rain that had just begun.
*I love it when it rains, and the house is quiet, warm, and peaceful*, she thought.
The world, Len, it swallows everyone. Men they vary, Poppy said.
Oh, Poppy, they vary even more, Leonard exclaimed happily, staring again at the table. Let me tell you a story. Theres a bloke at my office, and hes a proper character. Imagine, when his wife left him
Save it for another time, Len, Poppy interrupted, Im busy now. Anything else you want to say about us? Or are you done?
No, no, of course, Leonard said. About us. Theres still something. The main point.
Im listening, Poppy kept watching the rain.
Poppy, Leonard said, leaning on the table. Im leaving, I leave everything to you and our daughter, but I have one request.
A request?
Could you give me five hundred thousand pounds? Leonard asked. Ill pay it back. Honest word.
Five hundred thousand? Poppy was taken aback. Are you sure thats enough?
Absolutely, love, Leonard replied. Ive done the maths.
You did the maths? Poppy laughed. Even so!
Youre laughing, love, but its not that hard. Think about it: eight years of marriage isnt that much, and I have no claims on you.
No, Poppy said. I wont agree. Thats far too much. I wont give you five hundred thousand.
How could I not? Leonard was confused. You wont give five hundred thousand?
No, I wont.
Leonard thought, *Strange How can she refuse? I wasnt prepared for this. Nadine (the other woman) insisted five hundred thousand wasnt a fortune if Im giving up everything. Strange. Does she not see the risk?*
Then how much will you give? Leonard asked, sighing at the old, grimy fridge.
Not a penny, Poppy replied.
She walked away from the window and sat down at the table.
*What a turn of events!* Leonard thought. *She wont give anything. What now? What will I tell Nadine?*
How about three hundred thousand, Poppy?
Not a penny.
How can that be? Leonard wondered. She just wont?
Exactly, Poppy said.
I thought maybe that sum isnt the issue but if three hundred thousand is too much, then what about fifty thousand?
Youre exhausting me, Len, Poppy said.
Well, Leonard said after a pause. If you keep framing it that way Ill fight for my rights elsewhere.
As you wish, Poppy replied. Fight on. Rights love to be defended, especially in another arena.
Who will file for the divorce, you or me? Leonard asked sharply.
Which divorce, Len, snap out of it, Poppy said, weve been separated for ages.
Separated? Leonard exclaimed. Why didnt I know?
Len, you left the house three years ago and only called three times since. The first call was to tell me not to worry. The second was about some serious problem. The third was just to say you dont love me and ask for five hundred thousand.
I needed time to think, Poppy, Leonard said. I was trying to save the family. How could you get a divorce without me?
They sent you summons to your home,In the end I learned that true wealth is not measured in pounds or property, but in the honesty and compassion we extend to one another.