Elephant in the room

'I'm doing that run tomorrow. Need bit of peace as am up early doors. Don't forget, now.'

Fuck that. Am havin' another can. Just 'cause he's aw Holy Mary these days.

'Okay, love. Just one cider tonight. Unwind after work.'

Jenna rang her friend.

'Can you hear me? Marco's upstairs. No. It'll be fine. Aye. Bring some bevvy. Shhh. Need to go. He's just out the shower. See you soon.'

Jenna coughed loudly as she opened the cider can, and popped a mint into her mouth.

'Okay, hun? I'll dive out for half hour. Take the dog for a nice walk. Laters.'

By the time Marco came back to the house, his pretty wife was dancing around the lounge, fag in hand.

'Oh, l LOVE this song. It's the one you sang to me on my birthday. Do you remember?'

'Em. Could you smoke outside? It's not good for the upholstery. Did you manage to ring for the takeaway?'

Marco could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Here we fuckin' go. She's pissed already. Three cans of strong cider and she's only been in for an hour. Fuck.

'Jenna. Can you turn the music down. I'm on the phone.' Like she cares.

'Why do you folk need to raise money for cancer? You'll die one day anyway. Fuck that,' she shouted, pouring another cider.

Marco jumped in his car to pick up some Thai food. Maybe it won't be as bad as usual, her knowing she's up at 7 am for her support at the run. Fingers crossed. Who the hell looks at new kitchens on a Saturday night? Some excuse.

'Hey. When you comin' over. I've got wine and nibbles for you.' Jenna was calling and calling her friends, oblivious to her husband's worries.

Marco dumped the food on their large dining table, trying to be mindfull and drown out the racket coming from his sound system.

'Hey, babe. Did l mention the girls are coming to see our new kitchen. No? I'm sure l told you. What difference does it make, hun. We're goin' to that wine bar along the road. The girls are headin' up town. Then you can have a nice rest for tomorrow. Okay, babe?'

Marco picked at his food, the wee dog looking up at him. Oh no. She'll rock up at 2am, pissed out her face, slamming doors and l won't sleep a wink. What should l do. Thought we'd sorted this all out, last time.

'Here they are. This is Poppy, our new Saturday girl. And this is Amber. Her boyfriend's a real model. She started last week. Amazing, eh.'

Out came the phones. Click went the selfies. On went his vinyl.

'Haha.These lassies haven't seen a disc before. Listen to this.'

Marco ran upstairs, packed an overnight bag and left. He'd find a hotel to stay in. She won't be around as his support in the morning.

Or for much longer