What are you doing here? Why are you breaking into someone elses house?
Thats it, Emily. Its over between us! I want a real familya child. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough, been patient. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce! Youve got three days to pack your things. Call me when you leave. Ill stay with my mother for now. Hurry upI need to prep the flat for my child and his mum. Yes! Dont be surprised, my future wife is expecting. Youve got three days!
Emily was silent. What could she say?
She hadnt been able to have children, though Henry had waited five yearsthree times theyd tried, three times failed.
Emily had seen specialists, plenty of themall said she was healthy. Why didnt it work out?
Shed always lived carefully, minded her health.
This time at work shed felt faint. The ambulance had been called but it all happened so quickly
The door slammed behind Henry, and Emily collapsed, drained, onto the sofa.
She had neither the will nor the energy to pack. And where was she meant to go, anyway?
Before marriage, while she studied, shed stayed with her aunt in Oxford. Now her aunt was gone, the flat sold by her cousin. Go back to Grandmas old cottage in Sussex? Try to find a place to rent? What about her job?
So many questions, all needing answersfast
Early the next morning, the door opened. Henrys mother walked in.
Not asleep? Good. I came to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.
I really have no use for your sons old boxers. Want to count my own knickers?
My, arent you cheeky now! I remember when you were so polite, sweet and quiet. Well, look how things turned out! I told Henry after the first failed roundyoud never be able to give us a child.
So, you came here just to say that? Sit down quietly then, and keep your eyes on me.
What are you packing the tea set for?
Its minea keepsake from my aunt.
Itll be empty here without it!
Thats not my concern. At least youll have a grandchild.
Just take whats yours.
The laptops mine. The coffee maker and microwave toogifts from work colleagues. My car? Bought long before I even met your son. Hes got his own.
Youve got everything, except the ability to have children.
Thats not for you to judge. Im fineperhaps its simply what was meant to be.
You dont seem sorry at all! Did you do this on purpose?
Youre speaking nonsense. This is hard enough to think about as it is.
Emily looked round. All her things were goneher toothbrush, makeup, slippers Something important was missing, but Henrys mothers loud voice made it hard to focus.
Then she remembered, her old cat figurine was gone. Inside it shed hidden a small pair of earrings and a ringnothing worth selling, but precious as a memory of her gran. Henry had always called it junk. Had he chucked it? He usually put anything he considered rubbish on the balcony. Emily opened the door…
Whatre you looking for out there? Youve packed your things, time to leave! the mother called again. Saying farewell to the flat? Go on then. Dont get your hopes upnothing this nice for you in the future.
She retrieved the cat and her little treasuresnow she was ready to leave.
Here are the keys. Goodbye. I sincerely hope we never meet again.
Emily went to her office, still officially on sick leave, but asked for holiday instead.
Were all so sorry, Emily, but how will we manage without you? Will three weeks be enough? Please keep in touchhalf our projects wont move without your advice.
Ill keep in touch, dont worry. Thank you.
Need any help?
No, thank you.
Ill handle your holiday pay and bonus.
Thats much appreciated.
She didnt even bother looking for a flat. Emily drove straight to her grandmothers cottage in Sussex. No one was waiting for her; her gran had passed three years prior, and her mum shed never knownher mother died in childbirth.
And now Emily herself couldnt have children.
An hours drive, and she was there. The apple tree, the tulips.
The last time shed been here with Henry was autumntheyd had a barbecue together.
She parked in the old drive, fetched the garage key from inside.
She unlocked the cottage door. Silence. Dirty mugs and plates on the tablefunny, shed thought she cleaned last time…
But she had! Someone had been here!
Two mugs, plates, empty juice cartons, bottles of Henrys favourite sparkling wine. Definitely not from last autumn.
So Henry had been herewith someone else?
No matter. Not anymore
Emily was the only one with a key. Her husband must have made a copy. Shed have to change the locks.
A new start: cleaning, then a hot bath.
She decided to wash away all the past.
Just as she was finishing up, there came a knockfirst on the door, then at the window.
Whos there?
Are you alright in there?
Yes Emily called out, surprised.
She went out and saw a stranger standing by the steps.
Sorry if I startled you. Im your new neighbour, been keeping an eye out all day. Noticed you vanished inside and saw smoke from the chimneyjust wanted to make sure you were okay.
Thank you, Im fine.
Are you one of Henrys? He was here with his wife recently Are you his sister?
No, Im his soon-to-be ex-wife. Were divorcingin the works.
Is the house yours, then?
Yes.
Im just here for nowpersonal reasons, friend let me stay. Divorce myself, actually. Tomorrow Ill be free. Sorry to intrudejust, if you need anything, my names David.
Emily. Could you change a lock by any chance?
Certainly. Tell me when, or I can pick up the right kind in town.
Thatd be great.
Two weeks passed. There was still a weeks holiday left before she had to return to London. Emily had settled in and wasnt interested in flat-hunting. Henry hadnt called or writtenonly a solicitors note about the divorce date. Probably for the best. She didnt want to see him.
On Saturday, up early as usual, Emily accepted Davids invitation for a walk to the lake. She wasnt interested in dating anyone, but a stroll was harmless. They had a lovely time, then headed back for lunch. As they approached, Emily spotted Henrys car in the drivehe must have just arrived. Henry got out, then helped a heavily pregnant woman from the passenger seat.
Emily and David went through the gate. Henry was trying the house keybut of course, the lock was changed.
Whats going on?
What are you doing here? Why are you trying to get into someone elses home?
Henry froze.
This is our house! insisted the pregnant woman.
Oh really? said Emily. And who told you that, Henry? This is my cottage. Please leave.
Henry! Whats she saying? Who is that? Your ex? Throw her out! the woman screeched.
Emily and David both laughed. Henry silently ushered his partner back into the car, and they left.
Looks like hes in for a lively future, David grinned.
At least shes giving him the child he wanted. I couldnt. Three times, all failed. Im sorry.
We divorced because my wife didnt want children, David said quietly.
Four years after the divorce, Emily bumped into her former mother-in-law at a supermarket.
Emily! I barely recognised you. Ive been watching you for a bit. Is that you? Are you expecting?
Yes, Emily said, patting her rounded stomach.
Its been dreadful for Henry. Their son was born very weak, something on his side of the family. His wife ran off, left the child with us. And youare you having this baby on your own?
No. I have a family. Sorry, I need to gotheyre waiting.
Oh. I Im sorry for everything
Patience to you.
Her ex-mother-in-law watched Emily walk away, hand in hand with David, while a little girlher daughter, the very image of Emilywalked between them, holding tight to her mothers hand.
Life, Emily realised, doesnt always go the way you hope. But sometimes, a painful ending leads to a brand new beginningone you never could have imagined, but one that is much brighter than before.
