Turning a Page
written by: Sue Hassett
Nina gazes through the coffee shop window at the wide, Norfolk skyline. The shingle beach goes on forever; the sea in the far distance, beyond the high dunes. A glimmer of sunlight struggles between heavy clouds.
Nina is celebrating. Sort of. She’s here in the place where exactly a year ago, her ill-fated marriage finally ended. When she could no longer pretend, even to herself. When the final decision was made, and not by her. Yet Neil’s actions set her free, something she had been unable to do for herself.
She adds two spoons of sugar to the coffee cup in front of her, stirs and stirs, but doesn’t drink. She hasn’t taken sugar in years, has forgotten about the coffee.
The divorce is final now. She’s a free woman. A soft smile spreads across Nina’s full, pink lips. She pushes a long strand of shiny, black hair behind her ear.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” A man she barely notices asks before taking the seat opposite. “It’s pretty crowded in here. Nice view,” he adds, following Nina’s gaze.
“Mm,” she murmurs, disinclined for small talk. This is a private celebration. Or wake. Possibly both.
Why did she ever marry Neil? Was it just youthful folly? A stubborn reaction to her parents’ objections? She was far too young, barely eighteen, but Neil was rebellious and exciting with striking good looks, and Nina mistook infatuation for love. Her parents were right, though. He was unreliable, dishonest, a cheat.
So why did she stay with him for eight long years? Nina fiddles with the coffee spoon. Was she just intent on proving her parents wrong? Justifying herself? Or merely confused and scared?
It doesn’t matter now. It’s over. A year ago, she came with Neil to this same tiny coastal village. A weekend away from the city; a healing break to make things right between them. Not so. At this very table, looking out at the gulls and the distant line of the sea, Neil told her he had found someone else. Someone more fun, he said. Less uptight. And then, as a final blow,
“It’s over, babe,” he added. “So I reckon I’ll go now. No point hanging around.” And with that, he left, leaving Nina stunned but also with a burgeoning sense of relief.
By the time she returned to the B&B, Neil was gone. He’d taken the car too, leaving her to find her own way back to Norwich.
“Is that coffee so bad?” the stranger asks. “Are you OK? Can I get you another drink? That one must be stone cold.”
Nina finally looks at the man and smiles. His voice is kind, concerned. He has kind eyes, too. A gentle smile and curly brown hair.
“Sorry, I was miles away.” Nina pushes the coffee cup to one side. “And you’re right, it is cold. I would like another. But I’ll get it. Can I get you something too?”
“I’m good, thanks.” The man smiles.
When Nina returns with a fresh, frothy cappuccino, the man grins, displaying even white teeth.
“Phew! You had me worried there. I thought you were in some kind of deep gloom! Glad you’re okay. I’m Matthew.”
Nina sips her drink and grins, too. “Nina. And I’m absolutely fine. I was just reflecting on something. But honestly, I couldn’t be better now. Do you live here? It’s pretty, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I love it. My parents live here, but I live and work in Norwich.”
“Really? Me too.”
Bubbles of pleasure are flooding Nina’s bloodstream. Optimism too. She’s glad she came today, though it had seemed a weird plan. It makes sense now. A heavyweight has lifted. She feels as light as air, like one of those sea birds hovering out there on the soft breeze.
“So what do you do with yourself in Norwich?” Matthew asks. “No, let me guess. You look artistic. Something in fashion, maybe? A designer? A buyer for one of the big stores?”
Nina laughs. “That’s pretty close. I’m impressed! I manage a small, vintage clothes shop. I do design a bit, too, but mostly just my own clothes. What about you? And don’t ask me to guess. I have no idea.”
“I work for a firm of auctioneers. Antique furniture, artwork, bric-a-brac, and stuff. Hey, I’d say that puts us roughly on the same page, wouldn’t you?”
Nina smiles, a warm glow building inside her chest. “Maybe.”
As she speaks, she sees that Matthew’s eyes are glittering in the sunlight streaming through the café window. The cloud has lifted. It’s turned into a perfect day.
- Turning a Page - September 24, 2026
