Stepping into the flat, Emily paused. Near the doorway, neatly lined up alongside her and Johns shoes, was a pair of high-heeled stilettos. She recognised them instantlythey belonged to Johns sister, Catherine. Expensive, dramatic. Why was Catherine here? Emily couldnt remember John mentioning anything about his sister visiting today.
Emily, is your husband off on another business trip? called her colleague Mark, catching up as she walked toward the bus stop. How about a cuppa at that new café? You can have your favourite hot chocolate. We never get enough time to talkjust passing greetings in the corridor.
Sorry, Mark, I cant today. John promised to get home early, and weve been planning to choose a kitchen togetherwe still havent sorted everything out after the refurb. And no, he hasnt travelled for work in ages.
And hes always on time these days? Mark asked, unable to hide a note of irony in his voice.
Not always, Emily replied, smiling and shaking her head. We really need the money at the moment, so Johns been putting in the extra hours. Once we get the flat fully furnished, hell be home regularly, I hope.
Fair enough, Mark grinned, then wished her a pleasant evening and headed the other way.
Emily got lucky with her busthe wait was blissfully short, and shed managed to leave work early, so she caught it without feeling rushed. Settling into a window seat, she found herself lost in thought.
Once upon a time, she and Mark were meant to get married, but their breakup was so trivial she scarcely remembered the reason. And soon afterwards, John showed up in her life. Shed married him on a whim, almost as a way to spite Markjust to prove she could move on. Mark had tried to reconcile, promised to make her happy, swore hed never hurt her, but Emily was smitten with John, convinced shed never truly loved Mark.
Eventually she forgot about Mark altogetherhe was just part of the past. Only recently had he transferred from the companys head office to her branch. He pretended to be pleasantly surprised at seeing her, but Emily couldnt help thinking hed requested the transfer, knowing where she worked. Regardless, she was flattered he seemed unchanged: still single, still warm.
Emily genuinely wished him happiness, and felt just a twinge of envy for whoever his future wife would behe knew how to be romantic, that was certain.
Her own luck with John wasnt exactly bad, but recently hed worked endlessly. He wanted the best for their family, for her never to want for anything, for their home to be comfortablebut he barely spent time with her anymore.
They were living in Catherines flat. Shed kindly offered them the place until her kids grew a bit older.
Catherine and her husband had never struggled financially; shed never had to work a day, so there was no sense in renting out the property. It was more an investmentone day her kids would be set for life.
John and Emily had renovated the flat just how they liked it; Catherine was fine with that, and now they were gradually adding furniture. But Emily sometimes wondered if it would have been better to just rent somewhere done up already. The money theyd spent would have covered several years rent, or given them a good deposit for a mortgage. John, though, had been thrilled when Catherine suggested they move in.
Emily got off the bus, hurried across the street, and moved towards her building. The air was thick with the scent of imminent rain, but she was in no mood to relish the change.
Her mind racedhow long had she and John lived here now? A year? Longer? She couldnt recall precisely, but the flat always felt temporary, unsettled. Theyd kept waiting for real life to start after all the fixing and decorating, for things to be betterbut when?
As she neared the entrance, she realised she was dragging her feet, delaying the moment shed step inside. The door clicked behind her, plunging her into the familiar dark corridor. Emily climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, each step amplifying a nervous tension.
Inside the flat, she came to a standstillthe stilettos, still there, unmistakably Catherines. She was about to call out, to announce shed arrived, but something stopped her. Instinctively, she held back, listening.
We meant to take a short holiday, came Catherines voice from the next room, but my husband hasnt got any time off. So I thought Id offer you the tickets. Theres just one thing her voice grew stern, you have to go with Helen, not your wife.
Emily froze. Helen? She remembered John mentioning Helen once before, saying Catherine had tried setting him up with her old school friend.
Back then, Emily hadnt given it much thought. But now, hearing Helens name, she felt a cold dread settle over her.
Ive no interest in Helen, John sounded exasperated. Catherine, Ive told youIm with Emily now. Shes my wife. Why are we going through this again?
Emily exhaled, relieved. Typical Catherine, pushing her own ideas. Emily was about to walk into the lounge and announce herself, when Catherine started again.
Oh, come off it. I remember how much you were head over heels for Helen. You were even going to marry her once, and then got in a strop over something trivial. Dont be stubbornI can see you and Emily arent meant to be. Helens a different matter.
Emilys heart nearly stopped. He loved her? Planned to marry her? All the while, John had dismissed Helen as just a friend. Emily stared at the floor, clinging to composure, but Catherines words gnawed at her.
So what? John replied, though his voice cracked with frustrationand was that uncertainty? That was the past, I wont deny it, but its done. I love my wife.
You call that love? Catherine scoffed. Lets not pretendyou married Emily just to make Helen jealous after she went off with someone else. Then she wanted to come back, apologised, asked your forgiveness. But you went off and married Emily, just to teach her a lesson.
Emily was shaken by the suggestion. A lesson? Did John marry her just to prove something? Suddenly she remembered her own impulsive reasons for marrying John right after splitting with Mark.
Maybe theyd both made the same mistakebut now, surely, they loved each other for real, didnt they? Emily held her breath, listening for what John would say next.
The past is past, Johns voice echoed. Im married now, I have responsibilities.
What responsibilities? Catherine snorted. Thank goodness you havent had children yet. Remember whose roof youre under? With Emily youll always be living on borrowed time. Helen just got a big, three-bedroom flat from her parentsa proper home. And she still loves you, waiting for you to come to your senses.
Emily pressed herself against the cold wall, shaken. How could Catherine speak that way? But even more, she strained to hear Johns answer.
Catherine, thats enough, John began, but he sounded defeated, less assured than before. A home isnt everything. We have somewhere to live now, and in future, well buy our own.
Catherine pressed on:
Youre stuck in the past. Helen was always better for you, but youre still upset with her. Its not too late to put things right. With her, youd have a home, stabilityeverything you deserve. Cant you see youll never be truly happy with Emily?
And besides, Catherine added, I cant lend you this flat forever. Ive got my own plans, so youll need to move on soon.
Does Helen even know about this scheme? John asked.
Of course she does! Catherine replied quickly. In fact, it was Helens idea. She wanted me to push you. The tickets were her planshe asked me to play along.
Silence filled the flat. Emily felt herself spinning inside. Why was John quiet now? Was he tempted by his sisters proposal?
What do I tell Emily? he asked finally, quietly.
Say youre helping me at the cottage, Catherine answered, breezily. Were just doing up the place. Then slip away to the seaside with Helen. Simple as.
Emily couldnt bear to listen anymore. She quietly slipped out of the flat and hurried away, lost in thought.
Her feet carried her to a tiny, quiet café, nearly empty at this hour. In the dim light, soft music played as the dusk deepened outside. Exhausted and drained, Emily sat at a window table and automatically ordered vanilla hot chocolate. Her thoughts churned, snippets of conversation from home haunting her.
She replayed Catherines words over and over, trying to understand how it was possiblehow could John have kept so much from her? How hadnt he told her hed nearly married Helenand worse, that Helen was his sisters close friend? Emily felt betrayed, but the real blow was the humiliation. Was her own marriage just a rebound, retaliation against an ex? Shed believed John married her because he loved her; but now, it seemed, there had been other reasons. And yes, her own motives had once been muddledbut she, unlike John, hadnt entertained even the mildest meeting with Mark at a café, let alone on the coast. Shed fallen for John, heart and soul.
Night had crept in, yet Emily still sat by the window, watching rain streak the glass and distorting the lines of city lights. She hadnt touched her drink. Time stretched, unreal.
Even now, John hadnt called, hadnt asked where she was. Probably packing for Helens seaside trip, Emily thought bitterly, and I dont cross his mind at all.
But when she reached for her phone to check the time, it was deadbattery flat.
Emily sighed, steeling herself. It was time to go home. She pulled on her coat and braved the chilly evening air. Step by step, she worked through a new certainty: her marriage to John was over. Parting was inevitable, and she tried to prepare herself.
Arriving at the door, her heart sank further. She climbed the stairs, unlocked the flat, and entered into silenceno television, no kitchen clatter. What caught her eye was the luggage in the middle of the roomJohn was packing up his things. Just as I thought, she mused. Hes leaving.
What are you doing? she asked, barely needing the answerhed tell her he was off to Catherines cottage, surely. But unexpectedly, John said something else:
Emily, were leaving this place. Ive found us a new flat. Not perfect, but well make it work, and start thinking about a mortgage. He paused and looked at her, almost searching her face. Why were you so late? I tried calling all evening, but your mobiles off. Picked up extra work?
Emily stood stunned, the words shed planned to say to him suddenly meaningless. She nodded, not knowing how to respond.
Were leaving? she whispered, still not fully grasping.
Sensing her confusion, John drew closer, eager to explain:
I had a bit of a row with Catherine, he said, sighing. And Ive had enough. I dont want to depend on her anymore. We need our own place.
Relief began to seep through Emily, tempered with lingering doubts. John paused, then sat at the edge of the sofa and gestured for her to join him. When she did, he quickly recounted his conversation with Catherine.
I should have told you before, he admitted quietly. Helen and I did have a relationship. Yes, when I married you, some of it was about getting back at her. But pleaseknow thisthats all behind me. Youre the only one I truly love, and I dont want to lose you.
Emily listened, gradually finding peace. The ache of betrayal lingered, but what mattered now was honestytheir chance to finally talk openly.
Sorry for keeping all this from you, John added, lowering his voice. Its justwhen you told me about nearly marrying Mark, I thought bringing up Helen would be awkward. And then I was afraid youd think the worst.
Emily sighed, feeling tears threatentears of relief, at last.
Alright, she managed, Whats past is past. You said youve rented us a flat?
Yes, John replied, Just for now. But its ours, no more interference. Well manage, I promise. Later, well get a mortgage and do everything properly.
Emily nodded. It felt right. At last, theyd live for themselves, free of others plans and meddling.
So, John smiled, Shall we start packing?
Emily nodded again, speechless. All she could do was trust that things would really change this time, and let go of the pastwhere it belonged.
