There were people who had known Angus for years and were surprised to learn he had a wife. Usually, when he mentioned Karla, as he did when his friends needed a form filled out or a connection made, it sounded as if he were speaking of a mere acquaintance.

Karla had been the archetypical bride and had dragged her starry eyes over the first five years until she realised she’d married a parasite, a man who spent his money on drink and women and expected to live on her money.

That he contributed virtually nothing to the household and was a born slob, annoyed Karla as much as his constant adultery. It wasn’t his relations with other women which bothered her, for she was happy to escpe his sloppy bedroom antics; it was the fact he used her to decorate his prowess.

At first she didn’t realise why he’d buy her a new dress and take her out. She’d feel an amorphous discomfort as she’d enter a room, eyes sticking upon her and Angus too happy. As time passed she perceived that these outings heralded a new affair. He needed to march his wife in front of those who knew he was seeing someone to get the full enjoyment of adultery.

This caused her to cease being seen in public with him.

After ten years of wedded misery, Karla decided to get rid of Angus.

Had she realised what was going on in the early stages of marriage, she would have killed him in passion because in those days she cared. Now, Angus was no more to her than a three legged dog.

Her family had owned a dog called Brutus whose front leg was mangled and amputated. No longer much of a watchdog, unable to play, in fact, all he did was eat, sleep, and make them laugh when he’d go hobbling to the door to bark as if he could defend the home.

Angus was to Karla as Brutus, a joke. Just as when the census takers would ask; “Do you own a dog?” and they’d laugh and indicate Brutus, she felt the same when asked if she were married.

Karla hoped Angus would leave her for one of his floozies but after a few years realised the females saw through him far quicker than had she, so dumped him.