“Want my husband? He’s all yours!” said Emma with a smile, directed at the unfamiliar woman standing at her door.
“Hold on a sec, Sophie! Someones at the door. Ill call you back once I see who it is,” Emma muttered reluctantly, ending the call with her childhood friend. Sophie had been recounting the hilarious details of her mother-in-laws birthday party, and Emma had been laughing like she was watching a stand-up show.
She headed to the door, peeked through the peephole, and froze. Shed expected a neighbourstrangers didnt just wander into their secure building. But there stood a young woman with an odd look about her, someone Emma had never seen before.
She decided not to open the doorbetter safe than sorry, especially with people pulling scams left and right these days. Emma had a rule: no chatting with strangers. Con artists preyed on the gullible, but she wasnt one of them.
She lifted her phone to call Sophie back, but the doorbell rang again. The woman outside was persistent, convinced someone was home and determined to get an answer.
Emma was aloneher husband, James, had gone to help a mate with some garden work. She turned back to the door and peered through the peephole again, studying the stranger more closely.
Something about her seemed off, almost pitiful, but Emma didnt feel threatened.
“Whats the worst that could happen if I just open up and tell her to leave? Then I can get back to my quiet weekend,” Emma thought. “Probably lost or trying to sell me some rubbish.”
She swung the door open. The woman in the hallway straightened up immediately, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear before speaking.
“Hello! Are you Emma?” she asked, fiddling with her scarf. “Well, of course you arewhy even ask?”
“Now thats interesting,” Emma mused. “Scammers are getting creative these days. Even knows my name.”
“Who are you and what do you want? Youve been standing there for five minutes. I didnt invite you, so say your piece or jog on,” Emma said firmly.
“Is James home?” the stranger asked, catching Emma off guard.
“Well, thats a twist,” Emma thought, suspicious. “Knows my husbands name too. Definitely came prepared.”
“Youre here for James?” Emma asked, though shed meant to say something entirely different.
“No, I came to speak to you. But if James is here, itll be trickier for me,” the woman replied with unsettling casualness.
“Trickier for you? Whats going on?” Emma wondered, curiosity gnawing at her.
“Hes not home. What do you want?”
“Maybe its better if I come in. Bit odd discussing this out here,” the woman suggested, growing bolder.
“Not a chance. I dont know you, and I dont let strangers into my house. Say what you need to say and make it quick,” Emma shot back.
“You really want to talk about the intimate details of my relationship with James right here, in front of the neighbours?” the woman said with a smirk.
“What? What relationship?” Emma exclaimed, her voice louder than intended.
“Emma, everything alright? Why the shouting?” asked Mrs. Thompson, their nosy neighbour, stepping out of the lift.
“Oh, hello, Mrs. Thompson! Everythings fine. Lovely weather were having, isnt it?” Emma tried to deflect.
“Looks like rain,” Mrs. Thompson replied, though she seemed in no hurry to go inside, clearly intrigued by the scene.
“Fine. Come in,” Emma muttered, gesturing for the woman to step inside.
Once in, the woman glanced around the flat with interest, her eyes lingering on various things.
“Youve got five minutes. Talk,” Emma said, blocking her from stepping further into the living room. “This isnt a museum.”
“My names Jessica,” the woman began, removing her scarf and coat. “James and I are in love.”
“Oh, classic! Couldnt come up with something more original?” Emma interrupted, smirking.
“Whats so classic about it? People fall in loveit happens. Youre not the first wife whose husbands walked out,” Jessica fired back, trying to sidestep Emma.
“And youre absolutely sure he doesnt love me anymore and loves you instead?” Emma asked, still smiling.
“Absolutely! Otherwise, I wouldnt be here,” Jessica said boldly.
“Well, heres the thingmy husband doesnt love anyone. Doesnt know how. So youre mistaken, love,” Emma said coolly.
Jessica opened her mouth to argue, but just then, the door swung openand in walked James
looking baffled to find a stranger in their hallway.
“Jessica? What are you doing here on a Saturday? Something work-related?” he asked, confused.
“No, shes here for you,” Emma said, enjoying the moment.
“For me? What are you on about? Did something happen at the office?” James pressed, even more lost.
“No, darling. Shes come to take you away from me. Permanently,” Emma replied, grinning.
Jessica, flustered, quickly grabbed her coat and started backing toward the door.
“Leaving already? What about James? Didnt you come for him? Honestly, Id be more than happy to hand him over,” Emma teased.
But Jessica was already out the door without another word.
“What on earth was all that about?” James asked, completely bewildered.
“You tell me! Why did this bold woman turn up demanding a divorce, insisting youd move in with her?” Emma crossed her arms.
“Are you serious?” James looked genuinely shocked. “I havent the faintest idea whats going on. Shes been acting strange at work, but Ive given her no reason. Im sick of this nonsense. I promised you, remember?”
“Good. Because you know me, JamesI dont tolerate this rubbish. But honestly, women these days will try anything to fix their messy lives,” Emma said, shaking her head.
James kicked off his shoes and headed to the kitchen, while Emma stayed lost in thought for a moment. She vowed not to let nonsense like this disturb their peace. Against her will, she smirked at how poorly Jessicas little “plan” had gone.
One thing was clearno matter what others tried, their marriage was stronger than anyone realised.
