Ringing in my ears like the chime of an old grandfather clock, the phone crackled and I heard, Hallo, Emily, hello there! Would you help out your ex-husband?
Hello, Charles! What are you on about? How am I supposed to help you? Is it money you need, or what?
No, not money. Just a favour. I need you to play the part of my wife. Not ex-wifeproper wife. Only for one night.
What for? What on earth have you got yourself into, Charles?
I started seeing this girl, you see, thought wed have a bit of fun, nothing more. But shes become absolutely obsessed with me, wont leave me alone. Pushing for marriage. I thought, after we split up six months ago, Id finally be free, able to do whatever I like, but she wont have it.
Oh, Charles, always the Casanova, arent you? Didnt notice that side of you before… Was our marriage really such a burden for you?
Emily, splitting up was your idea, remember? You said we were different, love was gone, best not to put each other through it. Its not like you want children, either. Meanwhile, Lucy is determined to give me a son.
Well, you should celebratesomeone loves you and wants your child. That matters, you know.
Oh, but shes not my sort. But Im the man of her dreams. Poor girl, silly dreamer. I never promised her anything. Yet she turns up at mine, cooks, cleansits as if shes conjuring up a future that doesnt exist.
So what do you want from me? How am I supposed to magically appear?
Just say youve been off in Manchester for work, and now youve come back home. Act surprised at what a scoundrel Ive been, but insist youre not leaving because you love me too much, cant live without me. Shell be upset, probably cry, but stand your ground: your husband is your husband, and thats final. Shell have to leave and hopefully wont bother us again.
What a bizarre scheme! And you want me involved in this farce? Why on earth would I? Just because we divorced on decent terms doesnt give you licence to use me like this!
Emily, come on, help out your hopeless ex. Ill take you fishing, if you like. You always loved sitting quietly by the river with a rod, remember? Then we can have a barbecue. Like old times…
Oh, you know exactly how to tempt me. Fine, ex-husband, Ill help you out.
Emily, do you have anyone now? You know, a boyfriend or
Not that its your business, but no. Havent met a proper bloke yet. Im hoping to buy a flat somedaycant rent forever, can I?
If youd stayed with me, youd have no worriesa place to live, money, holidays whenever you liked
Thats not happiness, Charles! Right, when do you need your wife to appear?
Could you do Friday? Bring your things, so it looks like you really live here. Tell Lucy I packed your stuff away so she wouldnt notice. Ill give her the keys, tell her to wait at mineIll be working late. She shows up, youre there, cooking pasta, my favourite carbonara, maybe around six. Then I come in, we put on the little show, and you can go home.
Alright, youve persuaded me. Why am I always so soft-hearted…
Emily was strangely curious to meet Lucy. Somewhere inside, she even felt a pang of jealousy. Charles had never looked at anyone but her.
You could say he worshipped her. Yet shed become boredlife was bland, she craved something brighter, newer. She and Charles had known each other since school. He adored her.
All that attention flattered heras did her friends envy. Handsome, clever, comfortably offflat from his parents. Later he went into business.
After school, Emily moved off to university and forgot about him, but he visited now and then, they strolled, had tea, went on little countryside escapes.
By the end of her degree she somehow found herself married to him. They got on well enough, rarely argued, no great cause. And then the boredom crept in.
She asked for a divorce. Charles took it badly, but agreed. He loved her, didnt want her to be unhappy with him.
No one understood her. Who leaves a catch like that? They called her mad, said she was throwing happiness away.
That only spurred her onshe wanted to prove she could do as she pleased. And so she did.
The divorce was swift. Emily moved to a rented flather salary covered it. She kept the car, bought by Charles; he insisted. A gift.
She thought her life would now become dazzling and lively. But no. Suitors did not queue at her door. One even told her, to her face, that she was nothing special.
She was used to her ex-husbands worship; the sudden plainness stung.
And so now there was Lucy How quickly hed forgotten her! Still, shed take a glance at the girl and move on.
Friday after work, Emily popped home, packed a suitcase, and dashed to Charless flatready for her role as the wife restored.
She hung her clothes in the wardrobe, set out creams and perfumes, created the gentle chaos that used to fill their home.
She found just the right ingredients in the fridge and began to cook pasta.
A knock rattled the door. It was time. The dream was in motion
Oh, hello! I thought it was Charlesyoure cooking already, got off work early
A striking, tall young woman walked into the kitchendark hair, green eyes, figure that would make even Claudia Schiffer envious.
Well, Charles has outdone himself! A pang darted through Emilys heart.
Charles? Sorry, but who are you?
Im his girlfriend And who are you?
Im his wife. Officially.
Wife? He told me he wasnt marriedsaid he was a free agent.
Yes, well, wifes been away in Manchester on business for a month and he wasted no time, did he? Quite the surprise to find him playing this game. Shows what happens when you come home unannounced!
What should I do now? I really love him, Lucys voice quivered and she reached for a tissue, dabbing her eyes.
I cant tell you what to do, honestly Maybe its best if you just leave.
But I trusted him. I wanted a son with him. Get married Charles is wonderful, Ive never met a man like him. Hes kind, caring, generousand as a lover, well, you know, hes incredible
Right, lets skip the details! I believe you didnt know. But you do now. No sense crying. Ill deal with him myself. And youfind a good man. Be happy.
No. Im not giving up. Maybe he loves me, not you? Hell divorce, well marry, have children, go fishing, travel, visit my parents in Cornwall… Soon hell be home, well see!
Lucy perched on a kitchen chair, legs crossed. She fished out her phone and started scrolling through it.
Look, here we are at the theatre, thats us hiking, thats my flat. We were happy, until you turned up
A heat of jealousy curled up in Emilyshed never felt this before. Shed never thought Charles would move on, let alone be happy, without her. But now it dawned that he might beespecially with someone so beautiful. Next to Lucy, Emily felt insipid.
Fishing, indeed! That was her thing to do with Charles!
ChildrenEmily could have children too, as many as she liked! Charles would be over the moonand so would she.
Suddenly, blessed by the strangeness of the night, Emily felt love for her ex-husband bloom anew. She finally realised what shed lost. How he had loved her, spoiled her, and now she was alone and adrift.
And these dazzling girls pursuing him No, not a chance!
Right, my dear, out of this flat before I pull your hair out. Up you get! Out! Emily seized Lucy and shoved her towards the door. Lucy resisted, but Emily was stronger. She flung open the door and planted Lucy on the landing.
I better not see you here again! Charles is mine. All mine!
Emily slammed the door.
What was happening? Was she really herself? Emotions shed been missing for years swirled around her like a midsummer windjealousy, clarity, life! That was it!
Jealousy revealed, at last, what she really felt. Her eyes truly openfor her, only Charles would do, and no one would take him away!
***
Oh, Charles, your girl is quite the lioness! Did everything you asked. She believed me. Studying drama at RADA turns out to be useful, my talent shines!
Thanks, Lucy, really saved my skin. So, she kicked offdo you think she was just playing up, or is she actually angry?
No, Charles, trust mea woman knows. She was furious, jealous, I could tell. I think she loves you; she just didnt realise. Jealousy brings out the truth. My idea worked perfectly. You had nothing to lose. Shes shown her true colours. We women are mysterious, but sometimes we see sense in these moments.
That trick did it, then. Time to go to herI reckon shes soft as butter now. After all, you were about to steal me! Even though youre just a friend. I owe you a box of chocolates!
Say hi to George for me. Whens your wedding, by the way?
Ill tell him. Were tying the knot in autumn, off to Cornwall to see my folks.
Best of luck, and happiness! I need to get on building my own again
Charles walked into the flat. In the kitchen, Emily was laying the table, dressed up, just like old times.
So, how did it go, Emily?
Brilliantly! I bundled her out the door! She wont be back, I promise! Are you sure youre not in love with her though? Shes quite the stunner!
No, not in love I cant forget you.
Honestly? You still love me? Emily beamed.
Yes, never stopped loving you
You know, Ive just realised how much you mean to me. I wont let anyone else have you! I want a son with you, and a daughter too! Charles, marry me!
Charles grinned. Well, the plan worked! Womenwhat elaborate schemes one weaves for their sakes…
(Care to like and leave a commentwhat do you make of all this?)Charles caught her up in a laughing embrace, spinning her round just as he had on their wedding day so long ago. The midnight city lights blinked beyond the kitchen window, as if a hundred blessings watched over them. Emilys earlier doubts, her lonely months, the disappointmentsall faded in the warmth of his arms.
Emily, Charles said, voice husky with hope, lets begin againreally begin, this time. No masks, no games, just us.
She nodded, tears pricking her eyes. Yes. Yes! No half-measures. Ill come home for good. Well go fishing on Sundays. Well build a futuremessy, imperfect, but ours.
He kissed her, then broke away, smiling. Wed better eat before this pasta burns. Wouldnt want to start our new life with ruined carbonara, would we?
They set the table together, laughter and easy chatter filling the kitchen, the burdens of the past finally sliding off their shoulders. Outside, the rain began to fall, gentle and forgiving, as if washing the city clean.
And there, amid the steam and clatter, two people who had once drifted apart found their way back. Not through grand gestures or pretty words, but through mischief, jealousy, andat lasthonest love.
They raised their glasses, hands brushing. To new beginnings, Emily said, her smile shining.
To coming home, Charles replied.
Somewhere between the laughter, the beating of two hearts, and the simple comfort of being together, they knew: happiness isnt something you chase. Sometimes you have to lose it, just to find youve had it all along.
