Carol McGiffin: The Way I See It
‘Ashley Murrell, 33, and her hubby Mikey, 36, had a row, then both went to bed angry. Ironically, it was about him working too many hours – she was worried he was overdoing it. Mikey ended up sleeping on the sofa and in the morning, Ashley found him dead.
It’s a heartbreaking story because it really brings home how precious life is, and how fragile it can be. It’ll strike a chord, too, because most of us have done it… gone to bed full of resentment, convinced nothing will solve this one.
Mark and I don’t argue a lot, but when we do it’s often about nothing important and usually after a skinful of booze. We almost always go to sleep back to back or in separate rooms, but knowing also that everything will be fine tomorrow.
But one day we may not get a chance to resolve things, and that’s not something you think about when angry. Ashley’s now advising people never to go to bed on a row. It’s something my grandma used to say when I asked for her secret to a long marriage. I’ll rigidly stick to it, though, in future, and so will Mark – because if he doesn’t, there will be one almighty row…
As a side story, Ashley has now found happiness with Mickey’s brother. If you read Twitter you would think the poor woman had murdered her husband. My opinion? So what?! Life is short. Grab any happiness you can with both hands.’