The Goldfish: Twitlit returns (a story in 10 tweets)

T1 3.33 on a humid afternoon and Geoff had made a decision. He’d been here before of course but this was different. It was time for change

T2 He’d turned 53 last week. No party this time round. No Wendy either. Silly woman, he’d thought at the time. The gardener, of all people

T3 She’d said it wasn’t her, it was him. Even though she was the one playing Lady Chatterley in the shed. Career before life, she said

T4 ‘You’re always at work.’ ‘I have needs.’ ‘‘You said you’d leave the bank. You never did.’ Yadayadayada. He’d have to get rid of that shed

T5 He remembered now, he’d planned to leave at 40. A few bonuses tucked away. Mortgage paid off. He’d teach history or PE. Somewhere rural

T6 Then they’d said he could have a really big bonus if he stayed. He’d bought a small boat. And a house in France. And redone the shed

T7 Age 45. Bigger boat. Bigger shed. Bloody shed. Another year or so and he wouldn’t need to bother with the teaching. He could retire in luxury

T8 50 was still a good round number. Plenty of time to do the yachting round the world thing. Wendy complained until he bought her the Merc

T9 She could have been a bit more understanding. Partner at the bank? Him? Who got a D at maths? Think of the power. Worth a year or two

T10 But maybe she was right. Maybe he never was leaving. Maybe she was right to run off with Pedro. 3.43. He’d made a decision. He would do it.

T11 ‘Get me a mango Solero, Sandra,’ he called from his office. ‘Not blackcurrant?’ she replied, puzzled. ‘No Sandra. It’s time for change.’