‘Why I'm Proud To Be A Mistress'

Kimberley Hogben, 54, has been in a relationship with a married man for eight years – and knows he’ll never leave his wife.

- Johanna Bell & Amisha Desai

Every Sunday, my partner John* and I snuggle up on the sofa and watch films. We look like any very much in love couple. But at 10pm, he’ll kiss me goodbye and disappear off. ‘I’ll be in touch,’ he’ll say, but I know that I won’t be seeing him again until the following week. And if I do phone, all I’ll be able to do is grab a few brief minutes. You see, my time with John is always limited. I can’t see him on Saturday nights and dates are always at mine. It’s hard to be spontaneous. Why? Because when John isn’t with me, he’s with his wife. That’s right, I’m the other woman.

‘How can I live with myself?’

I imagine you’re saying. Truth is, I don’t se myself as bad. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. I couldn’t be prouder because I know it’s me that he really loves – not her. And where’s the harm in making someone happy?