Revenge By Instalments
Mrs Agnes Chappell was well-known for her insatiable curiosity. She adored knowing everything about everyone and made sure to never miss the chance to ferret out the latest gossip. This time her attention was caught by Emily, who was just leaving her flat. The elderly lady wasted no time and hurried over, putting on her most sympathetic voice:
Oh, Emily, dear, have you and Ben had a row?
Emily barely managed to suppress a sigh. She knew perfectly well Mrs Chappell wouldnt let her go until she picked up even a crumb of news. Emily kept a friendly expression and replied gently,
Whatever makes you say that, Mrs Chappell? all the while thinking, Just go inside, will you? Shall I picture myself hammering your door shut for good measure? Theres just no escape from this woman!
Doing her best not to show annoyance, Emily added with a sweet smile:
Everythings fine in fact, were thinking of putting in our notice to the council soon.
Mrs Chappells painted-on eyebrows shot up, and her voice took on a smug, gossipy edge.
Oh, really? Funny. When my dear Colin and I were fine, he didnt leave the flat with all his things boxed up.
Emilys chest tightened. She saw exactly where the neighbour was heading, but she wasnt about to supply her with more material for idle chit-chat. Determined to keep things smooth, she responded:
You must have got the wrong end of the stick. He was probably clearing out the cupboard it was full of junk.
Emily had only made it halfway to the next landing when Mrs Chappells voice, now positively gloating, echoed off the stairwell. The old woman wasnt about to let her off so easily her eyes almost glowed with the thrill of having a trump card up her sleeve.
Oh yes, of course people always cart out their rubbish in suitcases. And load it in the boot. Silly me for not working that out immediately.
Emily paused on the stairs, her grip tightening on the handle of her bag; but she didnt look back. She knew any hint of annoyance and the neighbour would feel victorious. Slowly, she took a deep breath and turned around, maintaining a neutral face.
You always do love a tease, Mrs Chappell, Emily said, pulling her shoulder back as she spoke. She forced herself to move up the stairs, dead set on ending the pointless exchange. Goodbye, now.
But Mrs Chappell just raised her voice, sending it echoing up the corridor to Emilys front door,
Run along, my love, but its too late anyway! Ben didnt just book a minicab; some stunning blonde picked him up. Honestly, you cant hold a candle to her.
Emily shut her eyes for a second, her keys pressed tight in her hand. Dont answer! If she snapped back, Mrs Chappell would only have more to chew over for another half hour. Summoning her willpower, she unlocked her door, slipped inside and clicked it shut.
She tried not to let Mrs Chappells words bother her. Theres no telling what lonely pensioners might dream up after too many afternoons with soap operas. Emily recalled how often the old busybody poked her nose into everyones business, noticing every tiny thing and spinning her tales.
But Ben isnt like that, Emily insisted to herself. He wouldnt just leave me out of the blue. Surely? No, its just more gossip. Ben loves me we were making plans
The flat was silent. Then, just as Emily let out a shaky breath, that quiet was broken by something far more welcome. A white, fluffy cat shot out from behind the sofa. Her darling Bella, all puffy fur and green eyes, ran to greet her with a determined mew. Her tail twitched with impatience.
Bella! Emilys smile was genuine as she bent to scoop her pet into her arms. The cat pressed herself against Emilys chest, rumbling with purrs and nuzzling her chin. Youre starving, arent you? Nobodys fed my precious?
Emily stroked Bellas silky fur, feeling the tension start to ease. Bella kept up her complaints, casting pointed looks towards the kitchen, and Emily had to laugh.
No need for tears, little one, she cooed, moving to the food cupboard. Well give Ben a telling-off for neglecting you! Lets get you fed, and then Ill see where hes vanished to.
She settled Bella on the mat by her bowl and scooped out some fresh biscuits. The cat tucked in, pausing now and then to make sure Emily hadnt evaporated. Settling down to watch, Emily let herself relax. With Bella there, even the worst worries seemed a little lighter.
Still Ben had always looked after Bella, even if she sometimes got on his nerves. He never forgot to top up her food, sometimes leaving out more than necessary, knowing shed pester him endlessly otherwise. Emily remembered how, when Ben came home, Bella would fuss around his legs, mewing for attention. If nobody fed her, she could be a right terrorshed rub all over Bens black jeans, leave hair everywhere, have a go at his slippers or, on a bad day, even scratch him. Ben used to laugh but never let her get that desperate for food.
Watching Bella crunch her meal, a fresh wave of anxiety bubbled up. Why is today different? Emily wondered. Why has Ben not fed the cat, as usual? Mrs Chappells words nagged at her again, and Emily stood abruptly; she needed to check for herself.
She walked slowly to the bedroom and opened the wardrobe. Her heart gave a sick lurch. Where Bens clothes usually hung, the rail was nearly empty. A few forgotten shirts swung forlornly on their hangers, but otherwiseit was all bare. Emily brushed the empty hangers with her fingers, praying it was just her imagination. But it was nothis things had gone.
For a moment, the world spun. Mrs Chappell was right Emily closed the wardrobe and leaned against the door. The silence in the flat pressed in on her, all warmth gone. Bella, now finished with her meal, nudged her ankle in what might have been comfort, but Emily barely noticed. The same question circled her mind; where had Ben gone, and what on earth did it mean?
Just then, her phone beeped, the sound harsh in the oppressive quiet. Emily reached for it with a sinking feeling. On the screen: Ben.
With trembling fingers, she opened the message. Just a handful of words, but they blew the ground from beneath her:
Youre boring. Its over.
Emily sat frozen; all noise and thought disappeared, except for those words, repeating, relentless. She squeezed the phone as if it might change the message.
Too cowardly to say it to my face she whispered.
Her legs gave out, and she dropped onto the sofa. The mobile slipped to the cushion. Bella, startled by the commotion, emerged from the kitchen, and with an athletic leap, landed solidly on Emilys lap, butted her head against Emilys chest and stretched out, as if to say, Pet me, servant. Nows my time.
Despite herself, Emily gave a little laugh, though it caught on tears. She held Bella close, pressing her face to that purring fluff. Normally, the cat would wriggle away quicklybut this time, she stayed, purring quietly, nestling in. She must have known her owner needed it.
Emily stroked Bella, letting the warmth of her small body thaw the frozen emptiness inside. She let the tears flow, holding her companion, whispering softly,
What do we do now, eh, Bella?
The cat only rumbled her answer: Im here. Itll be alright.
**********************
A year later.
Emily sat in her living room, wrapped up in her favourite tartan rug. A mug of tea steamed on the table, and an open paperback rested in her lapher half-hearted attempt at distraction from the stillness of her evenings. The clock on the wall ticked past eleven. She ought to be winding down for bedthere was work tomorrow, after all.
That was when the phone rang: sharp, insistent, slicing through the peace. Emily flinched and frowned at the phone on the coffee table.
Who calls at this hour? she wondered. Anyone with manners would think twice.
But the phone persisted, ringing again and again, at perfect odds with decency. Annoyance swelled in her stomach. Whoever it was had no respect for her time or peace.
Fine, Ill answer, she muttered, grabbing the mobile. Might be urgent
She pressed ACCEPT and said, rather briskly,
Hello?
Emily, hi! Its been ages, came a familiar voice.
Emilys heart stopped and then hammered. That voice was impossible to mistake, no matter how many times she tried to delete it from her memories. Ben. The same Ben whod left her life a year ago with no explanation, nothing but a void and stinging disappointment.
She gripped the phone harder, keeping her voice steady and even. The past years questions slammed backwhy was he calling? What did he want? Why now? Out loud, she only said, coldly,
What do you want?
She forced her voice to be calm, as though it didnt matter. For a year shed convinced herself she was over it, that shed let the hurt go, built a new life. And nowhis voice, as if nothing had happenedand the walls shed constructed started to crumble.
What do you want, Ben? she repeated. No hint of feeling. Just polite, icy distance.
There was a brief silence, as if Ben was assembling his lines carefully. Then he spoke, soft and slightly guilty, making Emilys stomach twist,
Look, Ive been thinking I know I behaved badly. No excuse. There was a load going on in my life, and I didnt want to drag you into it. He paused for dramatic effect, no doubt hoping Emily would beg for more details, offer comfort, ask what went wrong. But she stayed silent, so he kept going: I never stopped loving you. Things are alright now and I really want to fix things between us.
Emily closed her eyes, stifling a bitter laugh. Difficultiesshe knew which difficulties had driven him away. Not real problems, just a desire for something bettersomeone richer, perhaps, or a new thrill. She remembered seeing him once in a restaurant with that blonde: sleek hair, expensive clothes and perfect makeup. His averted gaze as she passed their table told her the rest.
But Emily didnt want to spell all that out now. She didnt want to let him know what she knew. Instead, she let her words out slowly, hoping to sound completely unbothered,
Are you so sure Im still alone?
Her voice was almost casual, but inside she was seething. She imagined Ben on the other end, hesitating, worriedwhat if shed really moved on? What if hed misjudged?
She kept him waiting, savouring the rare power. A year ago hed vanished without a word, leaving her to pick up the pieces. Now he was back, talking of love and apologies, as if he could pick up right where hed left off
You love me, too, thats why youll never replace me! Ben said, so sure of himself that Emily could barely keep from rolling her eyes. He said it like he was stating a fact, as though the last year had changed nothing.
Thats awfully presumptuous, she said lightly, matching his confidence with sarcasm. She was tempted to hang up, to end the pointless conversation that only stirred up old wounds. But then something brightened in her minda plan, sudden and satisfying.
She paused as if considering, then carried on, her tone businesslike now,
Alright. Lets start again. But properly. Dinners out, flowers, all of it. I want proof that you mean itnot just a call because youre lonely or your plans have fizzled elsewhere. If, after all that, things go well, well move in together in a month. Deal?
A long pause met her demand. Emily could picture Ben thinking it over, weighing up whether the effort would be worth it, probably wanting to complain about the cost. But then he replied, rather too quickly,
Of course! You wont regret this!
It almost made her laugh.
Lets see how long you last, Ben, she thought. Will a month be enough for you to realise this isnt what you want after all?
She had no intention of really giving him a second chance. No. This would be her testthe way to put everything to rest, for good, so shed never again ask what if?
Alright, then, she said. Lets arrange our first date. Tomorrow, seven. The café where we had our first coffeeremember?
Yes, yes, of course! Ill be there. Honestly, Emily, you have no idea how happy I am
She didnt wait for him to finish. Emily ended the call, set her phone aside and took a long breath. Silence fell around her, but this time it felt powerful, not heavy. Emily smiledgenuinely. Tomorrow a new act in this strange play would begin. And she would not be the victim this time, but the one with the upper hand
********************
Ben was determined to present himself as the ideal boyfriend. Every day, he forced himself to do things hed always considered pointless. He bought extravagant bouquets, booked tables at smart restaurants, patiently listened to Emily rattle on about art exhibitions. Inside, he seethed every time she suggested the theatre or a stroll in the park, but kept smiling, nodding, and saying yes.
Its just a month, he kept telling himself. Then things will go back to normal.
He watched his savings dwindle fast. Ben winced mentally as he added up the costsflowers, meals, tickets. But he told himself it was an investment: show Emily he was serious, make her think hed changed. After that, hed ease things out on his own terms.
He endured her tastes, her routines, her endless talks about the future. Endured, though it made his teeth itch.
How long can she spend talking about curtains? he grumbled in his head, watching Emily flick through catalogues. As if were really going to live together.
Aloud, though, he just smiled and said, Of course, lets find the nicest ones.
At last, the month was almost up. Tonight was meant to be their final date before officially moving in together. Ben stared at his calendar, a red circle marking the day, and felt mixed emotions: first reliefat long last, he could stop pretending. But also uneasewhat if Emily was up to something?
Really, he couldnt wait for the month to finish, but not for the reasons Emily thought. He wanted out of this paradeno more spending, no more forced romance, no more pretending to be someone he wasnt. He just wanted someone to make him dinner, take care of the house, and lavish attention on him now and then. Emily was a stop-gap; if something better came along, hed move on, no regrets.
Well cohabit for a few months, he figured, straightening his tie. After that who knows? Im not stuck with Emily forever.
He checked his watchit was time to go. In his pocket, hed stashed a ring boxnothing valuable, a cheap trinket, just for show.
Ill propose, keep her happy, get her thinking about a wedding. Meanwhile, Ill keep my eyes open for a better offer.
A final glance in the mirror, a quick fix of his hair, and he left his flat. Tonight changed everything
**************************
Ben sat at the caféthe very one where, a month before, hed been given the chance to start again with Emily. Hed turned up early, taking a seat by the window so hed see her the moment she arrived. He fiddled nervously with the ring box on the table. Beside him, a massive bouquet of roseshed gone for the biggest, most ostentatious display.
The clock ticked on. Emily was running late. Ben frowned at the door.
Where could she be? he fretted. She made such a song and dance about tonight
He tried her number. Engaged. Tried againvoicemail. He sent a message, then another. Still nothing.
Half an hour ticked away. Finally, his phone buzzed. He snatched it up, expecting an apology at least. But all he found was a text:
Youve disappointed me. Youre not the man you were. Goodbye.
The anger hit instantly. Without thinking, Ben hurled his phone to the marble floor. It cracked; he didnt care. He shot to his feet, grabbed the bouquet and rammed it into the bin. The roses, just moments ago full of promise, now stuck out pathetically from the rubbish.
How dare she do this to me? he shouted, not caring that people at the other tables turned to stare. Hed planned so much, spent so much, endured so muchonly for Emily to disappear without so much as a simple conversation or explanation.
But Emily watched all this from behind a wide chestnut tree across the street. She saw Bens rising panic, his calls, the burst of fury, the phone smashed, the bouquet chucked in the bin. She let herself smile.
Over the last month, Emily had seen through it all. Yes, at first, shed only wanted to test how serious Ben was. But the cracks began to showhis forced smiles, that flinch in his eyes every time she suggested something he didnt like. Only yesterday shed overheard him chatting to a mate on the phone (hed thought she was out of earshot). His words made it clear: none of this was realhe only needed her until someone better turned up.
The realisation stung, but it brought clarity. Emily didnt want to be anyones plan B. She wasnt prepared to waste more time on someone who thought so little of her.
So she hatched her plan. Give Ben the taste of what shed felta vanished love, unanswered calls, no closure. Let him feel the cold edge of rejection.
As she watched his rage deflate into bafflement, Emily felt no maliceonly relief, and peaceful finality. The chapter was closed.
After all, as people say, revenge is a dish best served cold.
And with that, Emily walked awaytowards a new life, free of lies, without pretence, and without someone whod never truly valued her.
