Emily had just returned to her familys little village in the Cotswolds after finishing her first year at university. The moment she stepped through the front door, there was a knock. On the porch stood Margaret, her fathers sister.
Harriet and Emily had been classmates back at the village primary school and were rumored to be distant cousins apparently Harriets father was a thirdcousin of Emilys mother. In truth the connection was so thin you could almost cut it with a scalpel.
Even though the two families lived sidebyside, Harriet and Emily had never been proper friends.
After school, both girls went off to study at the university in Bristol. Their parents bragged about it: Harriet will be a barrister; Emily, an economist. Neither of them had relatives in the city, so Emily was prepared to live in a hall of residence. By the end of August, however, Harriets parents suggested they split the rent of a onebedroom flat.
Weve already found a decent place just a short walk from campus. Its fully furnished theres a fridge, a washing machine and everything. Well bring the rest of the stuff ourselves, Margaret said. Its far better than a noisy dorm.
Emilys parents thought it over, gave their blessing, and the girls agreed.
Since they werent siblings, the flat stayed tidy. They took turns cleaning and cooking, and never managed a single argument over dishes. Their parents took turns, about once a month, hauling fresh veg and other groceries up to the city.
Thus the first academic year passed peacefully. Both aced their exams and earned a modest stipend boost.
When the summer holidays ended and they were back in Bristol, Harriet fell head over heels for Michael, a fellow law student who was still living in the university halls. Autumn walks in the park and golden leaves followed, but by November the weather turned brisk and the couple began spending more evenings in the flat their parents had rented.
Emily wasnt thrilled.
Emily, please, well be quiet. Just dont tell our parents, Harriet pleaded.
Emily had no intention of spilling the beans, but she warned Harriet: Make sure Michael is out by eleven, otherwise Ill be trying to sleep.
Harriet kept the agreement until one night, after seeing Emily fast asleep, she let Michael back in. The next morning Emily walked into the living room to find the two of them snuggled on the sofa.
That was the spark for a big row.
My parents dont pay for this flat so I have to share a room with a stranger. If he keeps staying over, Im moving back to the halls, Emily announced.
Emily, youve never been in love, so you cant understand how much we want to be together every minute! When Michael leaves, I immediately feel bored, Harriet retorted.
Then ask Michaels folks to cover half the rent and you can both live together, Emily suggested.
He only has his mum, and shes already sending him her last few pounds. She cant afford a flat, Harriet explained.
Not my problem, Emily said. I just want my own space. Your boyfriends constant presence makes me nervous.
But you get girls from your lecture group over, right? Im not the only one who has visitors, Harriet countered.
Exactly a girl or two once a week for a few hours, not from Friday evening to Sunday night. And Im going to start cooking for myself. I wont be feeding Michael from my pocket, Emily replied.
Fine, lets agree that Michael can visit twice a week and only spend the night from Saturday to Sunday after all youre away on weekends anyway, Harriet offered.
No more than that! Emily snapped.
And you never tell your parents, not even yours, otherwise your mum will tattle to mine, Harriet warned.
In late December Emily finished her exams and headed home, textbooks in tow, to prepare for the final papers. Harriet stayed in Bristol, spinning a tale for her parents about a hectic exam schedule. When her mother, Natalie, ran into Emily at the supermarket, she asked why Emily could be home for the holidays while Harriet could not.
I dont know, Aunt Natalie, were on different courses, Emily said.
Harriet said law has more lectures and exams, its tougher than economics. Youre home on weekends, but Harriets exhausted this year, Natalie replied.
Emily wanted to defend Harriet, but she remembered the promise shed made and kept quiet. Why should I meddle in other peoples affairs? she thought.
When she returned to Bristol after the break, she found the flat rearranged. Harriets sofa had been pushed to the far wall and blocked off by a large wardrobe, while Emilys bed had been nudged closer to the window. Two distinct zones now existed a cosy nook for Harriet and a larger area for everything else.
Did you ask the landlady before moving the furniture? Emily asked.
She doesnt mind, just wants it back the way it was later, Harriet replied.
Emily guessed why: Harriet and Michael were spending every holiday together in the flat, and now Michael would be staying more often than they had originally agreed.
Emily faced a dilemma: tell the parents and risk a massive fight Harriet would be banned from bringing Michael over and Emily would have to spend the rest of the year in a strained flat or stay quiet. Moving back to the halls was an option, but a place wouldnt be available until the next academic year.
She decided to bide her time, gently reminding Harriet now and then that Michael shouldnt be living there permanently.
In midMarch Harriet announced, Michael and I are getting married, and Im pregnant.
Emily raised an eyebrow. So youre finally going to tell your parents about Michael?
No, not yet. Well move in with his mum first, sort out the wedding date, then let my parents know, Harriet answered.
What about your studies when you have a baby? Emily asked.
Im not sure maybe mum will help, maybe Ill take a career break. Were thinking that once Michael gets his degree well move to London theres more opportunity there. Here in the countryside, nothing ever changes.
When Mays bank holiday came, Michael called his mother, saying, Shes unwell, I need to look after her first. When she knows about us, well all come together. He hung up quickly, and a couple of weeks later he still hadnt returned. Harriet tried to call, but he kept cutting the conversation short, only mentioning his mothers illness.
He finally came back on 20 May.
Harriet, I cant think about wedding plans right now. Mums ill, I want to finish my exams early and go home to care for her, he told her.
What about me? Harriet asked.
You finish your exams too, then well sort it out. Sorry, I need to see the dean about my exam dates.
Over the next fortnight they saw each other only in the university corridors.
When the summer exams were over and Emily was about to head home, Michael suddenly appeared in the flat.
Emily, could you give us a minute alone? he asked.
Emily turned to find Harriet in tears.
He says his mum is against the marriage, against me, against the baby. Her health comes first, so he wants to call it off. He also said that even if I claim child support, I wont get anything because hell be studying in London, not working, and will find a way to avoid paying.
Scoundrel! Emily exclaimed. Lets dry those tears and get you home.
Emily helped Harriet pack, called a taxi and they boarded a coach.
The girls had a lot of belongings, and at the village bus stop they were met by Harriets parents. Emily and her dad arrived at their house where their mum and younger sister were already waiting.
Before they could even finish their tea, Natalie Harriets mother burst into the flat, eyes blazing.
How could you let this happen? We put you two together so nothing like this would happen! You saw it all and said nothing! Youre a villain! she shouted.
Natasha, why are you yelling at Emily? Whats she to be blamed for? Emilys father asked, indignant.
Ask your own heartless daughter! Natalie shrieked and stormed out.
Emilys parents turned to their daughter. Whats happened? they asked.
Emily explained everything. Natalie, still fuming, finally calmed down enough to say, Harriet is an adult, she knows what shes doing. Why should you take responsibility for her mistakes?
Is Emily to blame for everything? her father wondered. Does Natalie really think that?
Emily admitted, I did try to get Michael out of the flat; I didnt need him there, and Harriet and I even argued about it. The only thing I might be at fault for is not telling you the whole story, but Harriet begged me not to.
What will she do now? her mother asked.
She has no options left. I dont know how shell continue her studies, Emily replied.
Harriet never returned to university. In early November she gave birth to a daughter. She took a years maternity leave, and a year later her babys father passed away. She had to put the child in a nursery and find a job. With no degree, the only work she could get was as a checkout assistant in a supermarket.
Harriets mother stopped speaking to Emilys parents and, whenever she saw Emily on the high street, gave her a cold stare.
Emily graduated with honours, married a fellow student, and settled in the county town, though they still visited her parents often.
