Ethel Turner never thinks of asking Simon Clarke to move in with her. Going out together is one thing; sharing a home is another. On Saturday she waits for Simons usual walk. She opens the front door, breathes in, and sees him holding two large suitcases.
Ethel lounges in an armchair, scrolling through photos on her phone. Here they are feeding ducks in HydePark, here theyre strolling along the Serpentine, and this is the mushroomforaging trip they took together. Six months of knowing each other have slipped by unnoticed.
They met on a dating website. She is sixtyone, he is sixtythree. Both are divorced, their children are grown and live independently.
Simon impresses Ethel immediatelywellread, witty, with a dry sense of humour. He isnt looking for a mother for his kids or a housekeeper. He simply wants conversation with an interesting person.
They meet two or three times a week: a play at the WestEnd, a visit to the Tate, coffee in a café, walks around the city, trips to a friends country house in Surrey. Ethel enjoys this commitmentfree companionship that still feels emotionally close.
Ethel, tell me how you live, Simon asks after another meeting early in their acquaintance.
Quietly, peacefully. Ive been on my own for five years, Im used to it, she replies.
Dont you get bored?
Sometimes. I have friends, my daughters visit, and now youre part of it.
Thats nice to hear.
After his divorce Simon rents a onebedroom flat in a rundown Victorian block. He complains that the landlady is capricious, never does repairs, and keeps raising the rent.
But what can I do? he says. I have no property of my own. Everything went to my exwife after the split. Her parents bought the flat, and the work I did on it with my own money is invisible to anyone.
Did you ever think of buying something for yourself?
Where would I find that kind of money for a flat?
Ethel understands. She owns a threebedroom house in a good neighbourhood of North Londonshe paid for it all her life. Her daughters live elsewhere, so theres plenty of space.
Yet she never imagines inviting Simon to move in. Dating is one thing; cohabitation is another.
On Saturday Ethel awaits Simons walk. She opens the door, inhales, and sees him with two large suitcases.
Simon, whats happened? she asks.
Ethel, may I come in? Ill explain, he says.
They step into the hallway. Simon drops the bags by the entryway and sits on the sofa.
The landlady has decided to sell the flat, he says. She gave me a week to vacate.
And now?
I have nowhere to live. A new flat isnt easy to find, and I have no cash.
Ethel begins to see where he is heading.
Ethel, Ive been thinkingweve had a serious relationship for six months, we know each other well. What if we try living together?
Together? she repeats.
Yes. Your threebedroom house has plenty of room. Im not a freeloaderI still work, Ill chip in for food and other bills.
Simon, we never talked about this.
Why discuss it beforehand? Life has already hinted at it.
Ethel feels unsettled. She isnt ready for such a turn.
Simon, I need time to think.
Whats there to think about? We love each other.
Love and cohabitation are different things.
Why different? At our age we should decide.
Decide what?
In our relationship. If were dating, we ought to be together.
Ethel looks at the suitcases in the hallway. It seems Simon has already decided for her, brought his belongings, and is presenting a fait accompli.
What if Im against it?
Against what? Against happiness?
Against someone arriving with their stuff without even asking permission.
Ethel, dont be angry. Im not doing this out of spite. The circumstances just turned out this way.
The circumstances dont happen; people create them.
What do you mean?
That you should have talked to me first, then brought the suitcases.
Simon falls silent, weighing his words.
All right. Lets talk now. I propose we live together.
I refuse.
Why?
Because I like living alone. I enjoy our companionship, but I dont want to share a home.
But why? Were compatible.
Were compatible for dates, walks, shared hobbiesnot for daily domestic life.
Whats the difference?
Domestic life is everyday: habits, order, compromises.
So what? We could adapt to each other.
Thats the pointI dont want to adapt. Im fine as I am.
Simon looks upset.
What if I suggest we get married officially?
Why?
How else? To make it proper, by the book.
Simon, marriage changes nothing. I still dont want to live together.
So whats the point of our relationship?
The same as beforewe meet, we talk, we spend time together.
What next?
We keep meeting.
Thats not serious!
Why isnt it? This arrangement works for me.
It doesnt for me. I want stability.
What kind of stability do you want? Ethel asks, sitting opposite him.
Typical family stabilityliving with a loved one, having breakfast together, making plans.
I dont want daily breakfasts with anyone. I dont want to fit my life around someone elses schedule.
But youre alone!
Im not alone. I have daughters, friends, and you. Loneliness and living alone are different.
I dont see the difference.
The difference is that now I choose when and with whom I interact. If we lived together, Id lose that choice.
Ethel, at sixty you should think about who will be with you in old age.
I do think about it, but it doesnt have to be a man.
Then who?
My daughters, a carer, health services. There are options.
Thats not what I imagined!
It may not be what you imagined, but it works for me.
Simon rises and paces the room.
So youre offering me to stay in a rented flat and see me only on weekends?
Im offering you to live however you like. And we meet when we both feel like it.
What if I cant afford a flat?
Thats your problem, not mine.
Thats harsh, Ethel.
Its honest. Im not obliged to solve your housing issues.
But were dating!
Were dating. And what does that entail? It doesnt make me responsible for your life.
Simon sits back down, thoughtful.
If I find a flat, will we keep talking?
Sure, if we both want.
And until I find one, can I stay with you for a while?
No.
Not at all?
Not at all.
Simon realizes Ethel is serious. He grabs his suitcases and heads for the door.
So Ill have to look for both a home and new relationships.
Perhaps.
Ethel, will you regret this?
No.
Simon leaves. He never calls again. Ethel returns to her quiet life without a partner. At sixty she values peace more than a relationship, and she prizes her independence above any companionship.
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