Emily slammed the door with a trembling hand, her shopping bags sagging under the weight of a long, exhausting day. The endless meetings at the office in Canary Wharf finally ended, and shed decided to walk home instead of taking the car. Stumbling up the stairs of the flat at 17 Kingsbridge Court, she fished for her key, turned it thricenothing. The deadbolt stayed stubbornly shut.
Bloody hell! she muttered, hanging on the handle. Did I get the right floor?
She counted the levels once more, confirming she was on the third floor, flat number 17. This wasnt a mixup. Someone had locked the door from the insideperhaps James?
James? You there? Emily called, pressing her ear against the wood. Silence answered her.
Her mind raced. James should have been at work until late. No one had said hed come home early. Had something happened? She tried her phone, but the line went straight to voicemail. Frustrated, she pounded on the door, louder each time, demanding it open.
Whos there? Im calling the police! I suspect burglars! she shouted, the words echoing down the hallway. The faint rustle of footsteps inside made her skin crawl.
Just as she was about to dial 999, the door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was a tiny figure, like a porcelain angelwide, glossy eyes, hair the colour of fresh snow, cut just to her shoulders, lips puckered as if caught midsong. For a heartbeat Emily was speechless.
The small girl, with a haughty tilt of her chin, snapped, Lady, stop breaking down someone elses door. You dont live here any longer. Take your purse, your shoes, and get out of my way.
What? Emily gasped.
Move it, now! the girl snapped again, her voice sharp as a knife.
Emily had always prided herself on keeping a cool headat work, with colleagues, with clients. Shed never imagined shed need that composure against a stranger in her own flat. In a flash she lunged, grabbed the girls hair, and yanked her into the hallway despite the girls shrill protests.
Youlet go! Im pregnant! the blonde intruder screamed, trying to break free.
Emily glared at the halfopened suitcase at the end of the corridor, its contents spilling onto the floor. She shoved the girl onto a kitchen chair, the bronze candlestick that the girl tried to hurl at her clattering harmlessly to the carpet.
Sit down and answer my questions, Emily barked, still holding the girl by the hair. Youre in my house now. If I call the police, youll be charged with unlawful entry.
The girl sputtered, Im Lucy! And Im going to be James wife! she declared, her voice cracking.
Emily raised an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from her tone. James isnt he already married to me? Have you got the wrong man?
Lucys face flushed. No! He loves me. Hes filing for divorce. He says you dont understand him at all. Im carrying his child, and Im moving in!
Emily leaned against the doorframe, the absurdity of the scene washing over her. Just yesterday shed believed everything was fine with James. Now a pregnant stranger threatened to upend their life.
What did James ever tell you about why he married me? Emily asked, her voice icy. Did he say I was cold?
Lucys eyes widened. He said it was a mistake, that Im just a feelingless one. He needs someone who gets his soul.
Emilys lips twitched. Ah, the soul, is it? And he swore his love to me nine years ago, didnt he? How long have you two known each other?
Six months, Lucy replied, her bravado wobbling. He writes me poetry, takes me out to dinnerno ones ever courted me like that. Leave us alone!
Emily smiled thinly. Your happiness isnt my concern, but this whole drama feels like a bad sitcom. Poetry, restaurantsdoes James really have that side? Hes never been a romantic, more a practical man, but he does love me.
She paused, then said, For the record, half the assets in this flat belong to me. James never gave you the keys. So, how did you get inside?
He just gave them to me! Lucy blurted.
Emilys mind whirred. James wasnt a fool; he knew giving a spare key would backfire. She pressed on, Did you make a copy yourself?
I I did. Lucy whispered, eyes darting to the floor.
Before the tension could thicken any further, a click sounded in the lock, and James stepped into the hallway, his expression shifting from surprise to bewilderment at the tableau before him.
Emily? Whats going on? he asked, his voice tight.
Its a surprise, she replied, forcing a smile that didnt reach her eyes. I got home early, bought the groceries, andlook whos here.
James glanced at Lucy, then at the open suitcase, the chaos of the scene. Whos she?
Your new wife, apparently, Emily said, sarcasm laced with hurt, and the mother of your future child.
James opened his mouth, but words failed him. Ive never seen her before.
Emily circled him, her heels clicking on the linoleum. I expected denial, a claim of it was a mistake, maybe a desperate plea that I only love you. But you, dear James, have outdone yourself. Truly original.
She stared at the man shed once thought she knew. How could you give a spare key to a stranger? To your brother, Fred?
Fred needed a spare for the car, in case if we were ever away, James stammered. He asked for a week to stay, and I thought
Emily cut him off. So thats why the flat felt off when we got back. You turned your home into a hostel?
James shrugged helplessly. He just asked.
Ill call Fred right now, Emily snapped, and have him come over.
Fred arrived a short while later, a broadshouldered man with a grin that faded the moment he saw Lucy perched on the kitchen chair.
Good day, he said, trying to be cheerful. Saw a bit of a mess here.
Youre the one who pretended to be James and brought this girl into our flat? Emily demanded.
Fred laughed nervously. It was just a joke, a bit of fun. Nothing serious.
Emilys eyes narrowed. A joke? Shes pregnant, you say. From you?
Freds grin disappeared, replaced by a cough. No
You gave Lucy the key? she pressed.
Lucy, still seated, lifted her head. I made a duplicate myself. I wanted to kick Jamess wife out, yours included.
The picture snapped into focus: Fred, masquerading as James, taking Lucy for rides, Lucy falling for him, pregnant, planning to claim his life, and Lucy forging a key to evict the rightful owner.
Emily moved to block Freds exit. Stay put, or Ill call the police.
Fred tried to slip away, but Emily held his arm. Youll stay until the police arrive.
Lucy, deflated, whispered, I didnt know the real James I thought he was
Emilys voice rose, cutting through the tension. Enough! Your lies wont save you. Tell me how you got the key, what James promised you. Now.
Fred muttered, He gave me the spare he never meant
Emily stared at James, the man whod handed over his spare key without a second thought. Why would you do that? Did you really think this would work?
James swallowed. I wanted him to have access to the car if we ever needed it. I never imagined
Emily shook her head, bitter. You almost lost our marriage over a spare key. You nearly became a widower because of a joke.
James lowered his gaze. Im sorry.
Emily softened slightly. Im hungry. Lets get something to eat.
Ill make dinner, James said, relief flickering in his eyes as the absurd night finally began to unwind.
