I was in love with someone else and riddled with guilt... My wife was devastated and telling my sons was worst day of my life
Driving back from a shopping trip, my wife Mandy asks me what’s wrong. She assumes it’s money-related. I tell her it isn’t. Then she tells me to stop the car, saying that we’re not going an inch further until I tell her what’s going on.
So I do. I tell her that I have feelings for someone else. She is shocked and devastated. It’s the last thing she expected me to say. She knows me well enough to know that other women have never been my thing.
We drive home in a fog of bewilderment, but we don’t tell the children. There are tears and conversations late into the evening. Mandy informs me she wants me to move out until we’ve sorted things.
I stay with friends and family while Mandy and I attempt to patch up our marriage. We agree to give it another go. I’m riddled with guilt about the whole thing, but I’m also in love with someone else.
I first met Lauren when she was selling merchandise after a Legends snooker exhibition. She’s attractive and we smile at each other, but I think nothing of it. Gradually, we start to say, “hi” and share a bit of small talk.
I would never be one to go striding over to any woman who caught my eye – after all, I’m the person who got to know my wife’s parents before I plucked up the courage to talk to her.
As time goes on, we chat more often. It’s becoming clear we have a connection. The Legends events travel to each venue with the same support staff. Over the next few months Lauren and I become friendly.
After a while we realise we’re falling in love. That’s very unsettling. I am married to the woman I’ve been with for almost 30 years. We have two amazing boys and a great lifestyle.
Lauren is single and 20 years younger than me. I have no wish to hurt Mandy. Yet I can’t help the way I’m feeling and I’m beginning to wonder whether my marriage is over. It’s a very confusing and troubling sensation.
Trying to make our marriage work is the right thing to do for the family. In the summer of 2013 we take a holiday to Portugal, and although we try to have a good time the issue of our marriage is never far from the surface.
There are more tears and recriminations, and I realise Mandy can never wholly trust me again. I completely understand.
Our attempt to patch things up fails and there is acknowledgement that the marriage is over. Before I move out