I haven’t returned home yet; He will go to my house and try to explain, and I’m terrified I will forgive him instantly.

“Another?” I looked up to the waitress looking at me with pity in her eyes. I nodded and she produced a coffee instantly, placing it down in front of me and removing the long empty cup. I’ve been sat in this café for 4 hours now and yet no one has kicked me out just left me in the corner to cry. I should really give them a good review on Yelp…

With that thought in mind I pick up my phone, rage filled me as I saw ‘My Prince’ Flash across the screen again, why can’t he just leave me alone?! Without putting much thought on it I cancelled the call and added his number to my block list.

My fingers sought out the warm mug and took a small sip, closing my eyes as the warm liquid hit my tongue. I hear a chair scrape indicating someone has joined my table and slowly drag my tired eyes open. It’s been a long few hours.

The waitress who has been serving me all day is say before me with a sympathetic smile on her lips “my shift is over now, and you look like you’ve had a rough night. If you want to talk to a random stranger, I’ve got a bit of time…”

Her kindness hit me right in the chest and I let out a small laugh “that’s so sweet of you random stranger.” I cast my eyes downwards and focus on my hands wrapped around the steaming mug “I overheard my boyfriend of 4 years on the phone to someone last night. Telling them it was a mistake, that he loves me and it will never happen again… he cheated on me” she softly touched my fingers so I let go of the mug with one hand and held her welcoming hand “I was such a coward. When he returned to bed, I acted like nothing happened and a few hours later I just left with only a note behind.” The tears which had only just stopped begin flowing again.

Her soft hands give mine a squeeze “Are you sure he cheated? Could there be no other answer for that phone call?”

“No, he was telling them he chooses me and how it was a disgusting mistake, even threatened them if they were to tell me.” A sobbed wracked my body as his words echo through my head. “but he chose me, he loves me. I was so sure leaving was the right choice but now…”

She sighs “I’m so sorry, being cheated on is the biggest betrayal of trust. However, you’ve done the right thing, I’m sure he does love you, but it will never be enough anymore- you’ll always wonder if he is faithful or if he’s cheated on you again. It will take you a long time, but you will heal and move on from this.”

For some reason the words of this random stranger fills me with relief, I haven’t told Samantha or the girls yet as I know they’ll just wish him a fiery death however this? This helps. I give her a watery smile and we talk about trivial things for the next half an hour before she looks to her phone and sighs.

“I gotta go now, my boyfriends asking where I am. It was nice talking to you...?” She leads off in the hope that I provide my name.

“Elliot. Can I ask yours?”

She’s quickly pulling her jacket on and offers me a smile “It’s Jenny. I hope to see you again Elliot, go home okay? If he’s creeping around at yours just be strong. Bye!” And with that she darted out the door, the bell chiming behind her. Gathering my newfound confidence, I hop up and dart through the door into the warm summer air.

He isn’t here I sigh to myself letting myself into my flat. Thank god for that I wouldn’t know what to do if he had been here, with all the talk with Jenny I was still hopelessly in love with my Scott. I busy myself the rest of the day, cleaning, gathering all the photos of us, the stuff he’s left over the years and unceremoniously dumped it all in a box that’s shoved in my cupboard. Although the pain was still there desperate for my attention, keep busy has helped the sense of accomplishment muting it. However now it’s now almost 6, I’m hungry and the feeling of helplessness is creeping up on me once again. I can’t go out drinking, drinking while lonely? Worst idea in the world, no good will come of it!

That’s what I tell myself as I guiltily pull on my jacket and slam the door behind me, quickly making my way to the tube. There was one bar we went to Saturday which I loved, it had a very rustic and classic atmosphere, nothing classier than sat in a bar alone nursing some whiskey right? Right?! I argue with myself all the way to the bar, throwing the doors open a little too dramatically.

I look around, it’s dimly lit with quiet classical music playing in the background, the whole bar just 50 shades of brown- yet there’s something very charming about it. Despite it being fairly busy there’s only one person behind the bar; a very handsome young man with dark hair

I make my way towards him and take a seat on one of the vacant bar-stools, his eyes flick to mine in acknowledgement as he flawlessly creates a very colourful looking cocktail and slides it to a grinning lady at the end of the bar. She flicks her hair as her fingers wrap around the glass which he hilariously ignores leaving me smirking.

“What can I get you?” He asks me with a surprisingly deep voice.

“I hate to be one of those but surprise me? A cocktail with whisky in it, you look like you can make a mean cocktail.” I admitted, he gives me a smirk before turning his back to me silently to create my drink before spinning back around and sliding it across the bar to me.

“Sweet Manhattan. Want to set up a tab or pay upfront?”

I shouldn’t… “Set up a tab for me,” I take a sip of the drink and raise my eyebrows; this is delicious! “I definitely have to try more of these, wow!”

Laughing he does a mock bow before moving on to the next customer letting me nurse my drink. I wonder if he’s straight?