Chapter 1: domesticity
Sid and Cassie had been married for just over a year. They were as happy as any couple could be. Sid still felt that Cassie was his inspiration.
Sid was now a happy, self-confident young man. He had found a job with a division of the Home Office. Entering with 'A' levels, he was an Administrative Assistant, the bottom rung of the Civil Service career ladder. He was looking forward to promotion to the next level, Administrative Officer. He was happy in his job and had befriended several of his work colleagues. In short, he was satisfied with his life. He had a home, a job with promotion prospects and a beautiful wife.
Cassie, following on from her experience as a waitress both in New York and London, easily found work at a restaurant near the Home the couple shared in Bristol. Her charming personality, bright attitude and ready smile charmed her customers and pleased her managers. She was a well-liked and popular member of the crew. She did, however still have occasions when her old feelings of insecurity, inadequacy and depression began to resurface. In most of these instances, some additional gentle love and consideration from Sid dissolved these feelings. Sometimes, this didn't work immediately. A break from the normal routine was usually the answer. However, this didn't happen very often and Sid became quite proficient at reading the signs well before a crisis and could arrange to have a few days off for a mini holiday. Quite memorable was the long weekend they spent in Edinburgh during the festival.
Yes, the couple were a happy, sociable pair. Sid had found his sweet Cassie in London and persuaded her to return to her home city of Bristol. After a couple of years living together, they married. They also renewed their relationships with their closest former friends in Bristol. Cassie also kept in touch with her former clinic roommate, Katie, who was now happily married to Maxxie Oliver and living in London. Because Cassie and Katie were living in cities over a hundred miles apart, 'keeping in touch' was all Cassie could do to maintain the friendship. She did miss Katie's affectionate companionship. The two girls had been very close friends for a number of years. All the animosity between Cassie and Michelle was now in the past and the two young women had agreed to let bygones be bygones and were now firm friends. In fact, they had been chief bridesmaids at each other's weddings. The two couples remained good friends and met frequently for meals and evenings together.
Now that Sid had proved himself to be an independent and competent young man, Tony saw him as an equal, rather than his slightly dumb sidekick. After all, Sid had found Cassie in New York, stayed with her for two years whilst travelling round the USA, found her again after a separation and married her. He had, in fact achieved his ambition to 'be like Tony'. Tony respected his dogged determination and his loyalty to the sweet young woman he loved.
As time passed, Sid became eligible for promotion to the next level but, to qualify, he was advised that it would be in his interest to attend a number of short residential courses away from Bristol. This worried him as he would have to leave his beloved Cassie by herself. True, she had been alone before, but the couple had become dependent on each other; Sid, for the inspiration and joy Cassie gave him, and Cassie for the love and security she got from Sid. Cassie came to accept this as a requirement for Sid's career, but she didn't enjoy the times he spent away from her. Most of these were about 3 days. A few of them were 4 days.
At the end of August one year, Sid was advised that he would be obliged to attend a full week course in Birmingham beginning on the last weekend in October. He would have to travel to Birmingham on the Sunday afternoon and wouldn't return till the following Saturday morning. Cassie would be on her own for six nights. This worried Sid, as he had not spent this much time away from his beloved Cassie. He tried to put these worries to one side and kept reassuring her that it was only a week and he would call her every day, more often if he could. At first, Cassie seemed to accept this as a necessary part of her husband's career progression. However, deep down, she knew she would really miss his warm embrace, his kisses and his reassuring presence.
That Summer, Sid and Cassie had enjoyed their first full holiday outside the UK since their separate returns from America. They spent a fortnight driving round Europe, visiting France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, spending nights in two or three star hotels. Cassie relished that holiday and said that they should do that again sometime, possibly in the United States. She appeared to be happy and relaxed.
As the date of the course came nearer, Cassie became uneasy. She wasn't smiling so much. On one afternoon in September, after she had worked her breakfast and lunch shift at the restaurant, Sid came home to find her curled up on the sofa, quietly weeping. He gently embraced her and held her until she felt like speaking.
"Thank you, sweetness." said Cassie, "I needed that."
"Needed what?" asked Sid, "A little cry or a hug?"
"Both, really," said Cassie, tearfully, "I was just thinking what it's going to be like living without you for a whole week."
"Oh, my lovely one!" said Sid, "It'll only be for one week, then we'll be together until Christmas. There aren't any more courses planned this year. Isn't that a nice thought?"
I suppose so," said Cassie, "But you're going to be away during the worst week of the year for me."
"As I said," said Sid, "I'll be calling you as often as I can. We can see each other if I use WhatsApp or Skype. I'll miss your smile if I don't see you. Anyway, cheer up, we're going out for an Indian meal with Tony and Michelle this evening."
"Oh! I'd almost forgotten about that." said Cassie, "I'd better get ready."
The thought of a pleasant evening spent with friends seemed to dispel Cassie's dark thoughts. The two couples spent a pleasant evening together with no apparent worries. However, Sid could not quite forget Cassie's state of mind. He was beginning to get somewhat worried about her.
The weeks passed by and the date of the course approached. The beginning of October saw Cassie's mood seem to darken. Sid was concerned, but tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to conceal his worries from Cassie. In fact, he was beginning to seriously think about postponing the course for Cassie's sake.
Late one evening in early October, Sid was sitting with Cassie in their lounge. His arm was across her shoulders. They felt warm and relaxed in each other's company. They enjoyed each other's presence in silence for a while. Cassie spoke first.
"Sid," said Cassie, "You seem preoccupied recently. What's the matter?"
"You noticed." said Sid.
"Of course I've noticed." said Cassie, "You've had a worried look on your face for a couple of weeks. You can't hide your emotions from me, dear Sidney. I can read you like a book."
"I'm worried about you, sweetness." said Sid, "As the date of my course has been getting nearer, you've been getting more agitated. Your smile is less conspicuous. I know it's because I'm going away in a couple of weeks. Since it's at a particularly bad time of year for you, would you like me to postpone the course until the next one? That comes up in about six months."
"No, of course not." said Cassie, "The course is important for your career. You go on it."
"I know it's important," said Sid, "But your well-being is more important to me. I love you."
"I know you do, sweet Sidney," said Cassie, "But I should be able to last through the course. After all, it's only twice as many nights as your four day courses."
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it." said Sid, "But I can't help being worried about you. I care about you. You know that. Anyway, let's get some sleep."
With this, Sid embraced and kissed his beloved Cassie. They went upstairs, retired to bed and enjoyed some total intimacy before sleeping naked in each other's arms. After Cassie's decision that Sid should attend the course for the good of his career, there was no further discussion about Cassie's state of mind.
The date of the course approached. Cassie appeared, to Sid, to be holding herself together. However, deep down, she felt uncomfortable in her own skin. She behaved outwardly as if nothing was wrong. Sid had noticed her unease, but in view of Cassie's very firm insistence that he should attend the course, he chose not to make any comment. However, he was becoming concerned about her emotional state. It was now too late for him to postpone the course, so he felt he had to accept the situation.
The last weekend in October came. On Saturday evening, Sid put all the clocks back by one hour. He made the most of the last night he would spend with Cassie before the course. The couple celebrated Sunday midday with a pub lunch as Cassie wasn't working that day. Cassie seemed to enjoy it and tried not to show her deep unease.
That early evening, Cassie went to Temple Meads railway station with Sid to see him off.
"Have you got everything you need?" asked Cassie.
"As far as I know." said Sid, "If I've forgotten anything, It's too late now anyway."
"That's true." said Cassie, "Anyway, it's nearly time for your train, you'd better go."
The couple embraced and enjoyed a long, emotional kiss.
"Goodbye, my sweetness." said Sid, "See you properly on Saturday, although I'll Skype you tonight and every day of the course. That means you'll see me every day."
"I'll wait for your call," said Cassie, "Adieu, sweet Sidney."
Cassie looked sad as the couple parted. Sid was also slightly puzzled by the tone of sadness in Cassie's voice and her use of "Adieu" instead of her usual "Bye!"
Sid boarded the train and settled down for the hour and a half journey to Britain's second city. Cassie returned to her now empty home and made her plans.