**Diary Entry**
*”What are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”*
*”Its over, Emily. I want a proper familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when youre leaving. Ill be staying at Mums. Hurry upIve got to get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. And dont look so shockedmy fiancée is already expecting! Three days!”*
Emily said nothing. What could she say?
Children had never happened for her. Michael had waited five years. Three failed attempts.
The countless doctors shed seen all said she was healthy. So why did it never work?
Emily had always lived rightno drinking, no smoking.
This time, shed collapsed at work. They called an ambulance, but it all happened too fast
The door slammed behind Michael, and Emily sank onto the sofa, drained.
She had no energy to pack. And where would she go? While studying and before marriage, shed lived with her aunt. But her aunt was gone, and the house had been sold by her cousin. Go back to her grandmothers cottage in the countryside? Find a rented flat? What about her job?
Too many questions, and she had to decide fast
Early the next morning, the door openedher mother-in-law walked in.
*”Not sleeping? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”*
*”Your sons old boxers arent on my list. Should I count my underwear too?”*
*”Cheeky, arent you? You used to be so sweet, so quiet. I told Mikey after the first timeyou wouldnt be able to give him a child.”*
*”Did you come just to say that? Sit quietly and watch, then.”*
*”Why are you taking the china?!”*
*”Its mine. My aunt left it to me.”*
*”Now the place will feel empty without it!”*
*”Not my problem. Youll have a grandson soon.”*
*”Only take whats yours!”*
*”The laptops mine. The coffee machine, microwavegifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”*
*”Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have children!”*
*”Not your concern. Maybe God had other plans.”*
*”You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?”*
*”Youre talking nonsense.”*
She scanned the flat. Her things were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippershad she forgotten something? Her mother-in-laws glare was distracting.
Then she rememberedthe old porcelain cat. Inside it held a secret: a pair of earrings and a ring. Not valuable, but priceless as her grandmothers keepsake. Michael always called it junk. Had he thrown it out? His clutter usually ended up on the balcony. She opened the door
*”Whats left out there? Pack and go!”* her mother-in-law snapped. *”Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, youll never have one like this again.”*
The cat was there, its treasure untouched. Time to leave.
*”Here are the keys. Hope we never meet again.”*
At the office, she requested leave instead of sick pay.
*”Were all sorry, but three weeks is all we can manage. Stay reachablehalf the projects stall without you.”*
*”I need the distraction. Thanks.”*
*”Need help?”*
*”No.”*
*”Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”*
*”Thanks. That helps.”*
She didnt bother house-hunting. She drove straight to the cottage.
No one waited for her. Her grandmother had passed three years ago. Her mothergone in childbirth. And now, Emily couldnt conceive.
An hour later, she pulled up to the house. The apple tree. The tulips.
Last autumn, she and Michael had barbecued here.
She parked, unlocked the door. Dusty cups and plates on the table. Hadnt she cleaned last time?
Noshe had. Someone had been here.
Two mugs, plates, juice cartons, bottles of Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
Had he been here? With whom?
Didnt matter now.
Only she had a keyhe mustve made a copy. Time to change the locks.
New life. Cleaning first, then a hot bath, washing away the past.
A knock at the door. Then the window.
*”Whos there?”*
*”Everything alright?”*
*”Yes”* A stranger stood outside.
*”Sorry. Im your neighbour. Saw smoke from the chimneyhadnt seen you in a while. Wanted to check.”*
*”Thanks. Im fine.”*
*”You related to Michael? He was here with his wife Sister?”*
*”Ex-wife. Soon-to-be ex.”*
*”The house yours?”*
*”Yes.”*
*”Im just staying nearby. Divorce myselffinal tomorrow. If you need anything, let me know. Im James.”*
*”Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”*
*”Tell me when.”*
Two weeks passed. One more week of leave before London. She didnt want to leave. Michael hadnt calledjust a text with the divorce date. Fine by her.
Saturday morning. James invited her for a walk by the lake.
No plans for romance, but a stroll wouldnt hurt. They returned for lunchMichaels car was outside.
He stepped out, then helped a pregnant woman out.
Emily and James reached the gate as Michael struggled with the lock.
*”Whats this?”*
*”What are you doing? Breaking into my house?”*
The pregnant woman shrieked, *”Mike, who is she?! Your ex?! Get rid of her!”*
Emily and James laughed. Michael bundled her into the car and drove off.
*”Hes in for a lively marriage.”*
*”At least shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries.”*
*”My ex left because she didnt want kids”*
Four years later, she bumped into her ex-mother-in-law at Tesco.
*”Emily! Hardly recognised you. Youre glowing. Are you?”*
*”Yes.”* She touched her belly.
*”Mikes struggling. The boys sicklysomething wrong on his side. His wife left us with the baby. You doing this alone?”*
*”No. Ive got a family waiting.”*
*”Oh. Im sorry for everything”*
*”Good luck.”*
As she walked away, James held her arm. A little girl, the image of her mother, clung to her other hand.
**Lesson learned:** Life has its own timing. Whats taken away is often returnedjust differently.
