The Marriage Act(30)

‘We are so far over that line that it’s barely visible. But if it gives you peace, you might want to give them a call. However, only you can decide if it’ll be enough to make you stay with us. And I sincerely hope you do.’

At that moment, Corrine couldn’t be sure that it would, or if anything could bring her peace right now.





ACT 2





23


Arthur




The enormous steel construction cast a shadow over Arthur the moment he passed through the gates and entered the grounds. It was not what he had expected to see when he’d called ahead to make an appointment.

He had served in the Old Northampton branch of this fire station for most of his working life, having joined at twenty-two and remaining there until his retirement a decade ago at sixty-five. The drill tower he’d frequently ascended was a brick building with internal stairs, gaps for windows, doors and a flat roof. He and his team had spent many an hour running up and down it, practising different techniques. This construction, however, was a metal contraption, silver in colour and with corrugated sections. ‘Another change, June,’ he said wistfully.

At least the station was familiar. His late wife had also remained here for much of her career. And for some time, she had been the only woman. The role that gave June the most satisfaction was recruiting other young women and helping to instil in them the same dedication and determination that fuelled her. The maternal instinct she demonstrated towards them was a reminder to Arthur of how cruel it was that she’d been cheated out of motherhood.

As he recalled how hard she had taken their infertility diagnosis, Arthur slipped his hand into his pocket and fumbled with the bronze chip she had been presented with for her first twelve months of sobriety. She had wanted him to have it as a thank you for his unwavering support. He had treasured it for decades.

‘Arthur!’

An enthusiastic voice returned him to the present. He turned and smiled politely at a man he didn’t recognize. There was a pink raised scar on the side of his head, which had robbed him of a clump of hair.

‘You probably don’t remember me,’ he said, offering his hand.

‘I’m sorry,’ Arthur apologized. ‘My memory isn’t what it used to be.’

‘Mohammed Varma,’ he continued. ‘You helped train me back in the day.’

‘Mo!’ exclaimed Arthur, his face lighting up. ‘Look at you!’ The two men embraced and exchanged pleasantries.

‘I’m still getting my head around passing my twenty-year anniversary. I’m an assistant chief now so I don’t go out on calls as much as I used to. I’m swamped with paperwork instead.’

‘It’s really good to see you.’

Mohammed caught Arthur scanning the drill ground. ‘A lot’s changed since you were last here, I guess.’

‘It certainly has.’

‘Listen, I was sorry to hear about June. I didn’t know her as well as some of the others, but she was one of the good ones. You both were. I hope you got the flowers.’

Arthur recalled the number of colourful bouquets that arrived the day of her funeral and nodded his gratitude. He wondered if his old colleagues knew of the whole story, his denial of her death, the refusal to let June go; that instead of reporting her loss, he had kept her body by his side in their bed for months. If Mo was aware, he said nothing. Instead, he jangled a set of keys in his hand.

‘Health and Safety regs mean I’m not supposed to let civilians go up the tower but no one here is going to dob us in.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Are you okay going up on your own? I’m happy to carry you over my shoulder for old time’s sake?’

Arthur laughed and reassured him he would be fine alone. As Mo unlocked the metal door, Arthur used one hand to steady himself on the railings, while the other clutched a shopping bag. ‘I’ll be in the station when you’re ready,’ Mo continued. ‘Come and join us for a cuppa before you go.’

It took Arthur much longer to climb the five floors now than it did back in his day. He used to think nothing of running up two or three steps at a time whilst hauling heavy equipment. Today, he was breathless by the time he reached the summit.

Arthur leaned against the railings and absorbed the 360-degree view of the town he had loved and lived in all his life. There were more drones in the sky than birds and less traffic on the roads now that commuters carpooled in driverless vehicles. When online shopping eventually won its war against the town centres, much of the retail area had been torn down and replaced with modern housing in areas constructed specifically for Smart Marriages. As a result, much of the landscape was altering beyond his recognition.

Arthur and June had refused to relocate from the Old Town despite the upgrade opportunities their marriage brought. They were happy where they were. Until one morning when everything had changed. Without warning, June had quietly slipped away.

Up there on the fire tower, he recalled every second of it, as clear as if it had happened earlier that day. He’d placed the breakfast tray on her bedside table as he had every morning since she had stopped walking or talking and had retreated to their bed. As the Audite had opened the curtains and the glittering sun had poured in, he’d noticed her grey pallor and sunken cheeks. He had seen enough dead bodies in his career to know that June had left him.