HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DARLING By Jeremy Taylor
Simon Hanley sat at the breakfast table and read the newspaper. It was ten o'clock. It was Saturday so Simon wouldn't have to rush into the office. He could take it easy today, relax from the pressures of the week before. His wife Sally shuffled around the kitchen in her dressing gown. It was a typical Saturday for Mr and Mrs Hanley.
“What are your plans today, Sally?” asked Simon.
“I don't know really. I thought we might do something together.”
“I'm a bit tired today,” said Simon. “I think I'll stay in and watch the
telly. Why don't you go out and do a bit of gardening? The weather looks
like it's going to be good today.”
'He's forgotten,' thought Sally. 'He's forgotten our wedding anniversary.
I knew he would. Ten long years I've put up with him and his ego. All he
ever thinks about is himself. During the week he's away for fourteen hours
a day, so that when he gets home he's too tired for anything.' Their sex life
had been almost non-existent for the last three years, ever since he was
promoted to Advertising Manager of the company.
“Everything all right, Sally?”
“Yeah, I'm okay. I was just thinking.”
“I still reckon you ought to go and do a bit of gardening. Earlier in the
year you were so enthusiastic about the garden. Why don't you plant a
rose garden by the rockery? The tools are in the garage.”
“Are you going to help?”
“I don't think so. As I said, I'm a bit tired today. But I don't mind if you
go and do it. I'll be all right with a can of beer and a couple of sandwiches
in front of the telly.”
'Now that's typical of him,' Sally's thoughts continued. 'It's fine for me to go out and break my back digging in the garden, but can I expect a bit of
help from him? Oh no. Because he's a little bit tired. What did he think
she did all week, watch afternoon television and drink tea with the
neighbours?'
“I really think you ought to get out and do something,” said Simon, not
lifting his head out from his newspaper as he spoke to his wife. “Why
don't you go for a ride on your bike? I bought you that bike last year and
you've only ridden it twice. It's still hanging up in the garage.”
Sally ignored this suggestion and continued to slice a loaf of bread. He
was making her mad and she wanted to remain under control. Her
psychiatrist had told her not to let herself get angry.
“You'd get rid of your flabby thighs if you started cycling.”
