Punch up at the altar
Archie and Katie's wedding day in 2001
Wednesday 12th September 2007
With the cliff faces and crashing waves, you'd be forgiven for mistaking my home on Skye, for a scene from a romantic film. And, believe it or not, I was living my own love story.
OK, so my husband Archie, 53, and I were no Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, but after 19 years together, he could still sweep me off my feet. We ran a B&B from our home in Glendale, and loved spending our spare time together going for walks on the beach, or enjoying a cosy night in with a film.
If I had to complain about anything, it would be the fact that life was just too busy. If I wasn't changing beds and hoovering, I was working as a waitress in a local café. Archie worked hard in our B&B and as a choirmaster at the Glendale Free Church.
One Sunday in May this year, I was rushing off for a lunchtime shift at the café as usual, and Archie was heading to church.
'Pop in and see me after church,' I called, as I dashed out the door.
At work, I was rushed off my feet all morning. Then, at 12.30pm, I felt someone behind me. I turned round to see Alan Rawstron, a regular at church.
'Your husband's having an affair with my wife!' Alan yelled.
I paused, a plate of fried eggs quivering in my hand.
'E-excuse me?' I spluttered.
I looked around the packed café and my cheeks burned.
'Just clear off,' I whispered.
Was he mad? My Archie loved me to bits. There was no way he'd cheat.
Alan skulked out and, half an hour later, at 1pm, Archie appeared.
'You won't believe what happened earlier,' I said. 'Alan from church turned up. Reckons you're having an affair with his wife.'
'He's mad,' Archie said. 'He burst into church today and attacked me.'
I listened in amazement as Archie explained Alan had marched up the aisle and announced his wife, Billie, 57, was having an affair with Archie.
'Then he got me in a headlock and started punching me,' he said. 'Three church elders had to pull him off.'
'What sort of man punches someone in a church?' I gasped.
My poor Archie looked shaken to the core.
That evening I waited for Archie to pick me up but he was later. Eventually, I decided he must have been held up, and I walked home on my own. When I got back to the house, the lights were off and the car was gone.
'Archie?' I called up the stairs.
No answer. I thought about the things Alan had said. Don't be silly, I told myself. He's probably nipped to the pub for a drink.
But then I opened the wardrobe. Empty coat hangers. Archie's clothes were gone.
'No!' I shouted, collapsing onto the bed in tears.
There was only one explanation. Alan had been telling the truth. Archie was having an affair with his wife. I racked my brains to remember anything more about Alan's wife.
She was a giggly brunette who'd totter down the church aisle in high heels and a short skirt. Had Archie thrown our marriage away for that?
I looked up Alan's number in the phone book.
'You're right,' I sobbed. 'They've run off together.'
He was as heartbroken as I was. But, like me, he didn't have a clue where they were.
I was desperate to know what other secrets my husband had been hiding. So I logged on to the computer and into his email account. My mouth fell open. The inbox was full of emails from a woman called Caroline Stuart. I clicked on one he'd sent to her: Give my love to the girls but remember to keep most of it for yourself.
It was sent in September 2006 — nine months earlier. Hands trembling, I opened
the next message. Making love to you would be heaven… I want you so much…
All my love forever…
Panic, anger and despair swept over me. What else was Archie hiding?
For the next few days, I tried Archie's number again and again, but never got through.
But I wanted answers. I'd found a number for Caroline on her email and gave her a call.
'This is Archie Campbell's wife,' I announced. 'I've seen the emails.'
'He said you weren't happy,' she said, choked. 'I'm so sorry.'
Archie had lied to us both.
It's three months since Archie left and I haven't heard from him. Surely, after nearly 20 years together, I deserve an explanation. Or at least a goodbye. But I have a feeling I won't get either from Archie.
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