**Diary Entry**
When Emily married at twenty-five, she wasnt some naive girl dreaming of a knight in shining armour. She had a steady income, a flat left to her by her grandmother, and a clear vision of what she wanted. She believed marriage was about honesty, support, splitting everything down the middleand, of course, love. Forever.
Oliver was the kind of man you couldnt help but fall for. Clever, calm, well-mannered. He always kept his word, never raised his voice, never lied. Being with him was easy. Almost too easy.
They spent nearly eight years together. Their son, William, was born.
Then, somehow, everything began to crumble. Rising bills, exhaustion, unspoken words, cold silencesuntil there was nothing left but quiet.
They didnt cheat, didnt fight, didnt stage dramatic scenes. They just stopped being a family.
When Oliver said he was leaving, Emily didnt cry. Just exhaled:
*Where?*
He shrugged.
Oddly, she didnt feel anger. Weariness, yes. Emptiness, yes. But no resentment. Just indifference.
***
Three months later, Oliver married a colleague. No grand affair, just a quiet registry office. Emily was surprised but didnt interfere, didnt make a scene, didnt hound him over child support.
And to his credit, Oliver was decent about it. The money arrived without reminders. He visited William not just on weekendscollected him after school, helped with homework, attended school plays, took him cycling in the park.
Emily appreciated that, so she behaved as an adult should. When they met, she spoke calmly, didnt dredge up old grievances, sat beside him at parents evenings.
Years passed.
She had her job, her friends, her stability. Oliver was happy in his new marriage. William grew up without causing trouble.
***
One evening, he asked nervously:
*Mum, can I stay with Dad for a bit? Theyve got a cat Dad and Aunt Lucy have been asking.*
Emilys chest tightened, but she smiled, ruffled his hair, and let him go.
***
The first few days, they texted, called. He sent photos of the cat, raved about Olivers pancakes, how Lucy let him play on his tablet until nine.
Emily liked the messages, replied with *Brilliant!* and, just in case: *Dont forget to brush your teeth.*
Then her phone fell silent.
Two daysno word. At first, she told herself not to fuss. New place, new excitement. But by the third day, unease gnawed at her.
Oliver hadnt messaged either. Normally, it was a quick *All fine, hes asleep* or *Picked him up from school.* Nownothing.
She knew it wasnt a tragedy. Still she missed him. And she was angry.
Not at Williamat herself. For the empty house. For letting him go. For another woman making his soup, saying *sleep tight,* waking him with *morning, love.*
And hed packed in a rush. Left his pyjamas, his indoor shoes, his favourite book about knights.
So she grabbed them and went.
To their house
***
She paused at the door. Clutched the bag like an anchor. Her heart hammered.
Finally, she rang the bell.
The door opened.
A woman stood thereolder than Emily, slightly taller, slender, with a face that seemed softly lit from within. No makeup. A worn grey jumper. Hair piled loosely, stray strands framing her face.
Not stunning.
Not striking.
But warm. Quiet. Comfortable.
*This is her?* Emily thought. *The one he married so quickly?*
*Hello,* the woman said, voice hushed and rough. *Youre Emily?*
Emily nodded.
*I brought some things William forgot.* She held out the bag, searching the womans eyes for awkwardness.
But Lucy just looked at hercalm, steady.
*Why her? What does she have?*
*Come in,* Lucy stepped aside.
*Thanks. I wont stay long.*
*Williams not here,* Lucy said apologetically. *Hes at his grandmothers.*
*I know,* Emily nodded. *And I Im not here for him.*
*Tea?*
*Please.*
The kitchen was simplea pale tablecloth, the kettle already humming, as if Lucy had expected her.
*Sugar?*
*No, thanks.* Emily perched on a chair. *Just plain.*
Silence.
*William mentioned your cat,* Emily said, grasping for small talk.
*Yes, he adores her,* Lucy smiled. *Whiskers is fussydoesnt like everyone. But she took to him straight away. Hes a kind boy.*
*Thanks,* Emily looked down. *He speaks well of you too. I was worried that you might not get on.*
*No need. Hes at home here. Sometimes I worry *youll* think Im stealing him.*
Emily shook her head slightly.
*Stealing? Hes not a possession. If hes happy Im glad.*
*How long have you known Oliver?* she asked, as if casually.
*A while,* Lucy said evenly. *We worked together once.*
Emilys brows lifted.
*No,* Lucy caught her tone, smiling gently. *Nothing happened. He was married. Thats a line I dont cross. We just talked. Easily. Kindly.*
Emily listened intently.
*After your divorce,* Lucy continued, *he called. Just to talk. I suppose I was someone he could phone.*
She took a sip, meeting Emilys gaze.
*Thats when it sparked. Suddenly. You know how it isone day, *bang*. You just *know*.*
Emilys cup trembled slightly.
*Youre wondering what went wrong with you?* Lucy asked softly.
Emily flinched.
*Yes,* she breathed. *Ive thought about it a lot.*
Lucy hesitated.
*Nothing was *wrong*. Youre strong, smart, beautiful. But you were too *together* for him. Too *needed*.*
Emilys fingers tightened.
*So I smothered him?*
*No,* Lucy shook her head. *You tried. Ran the house, planned, cared. But he needed to be *wanted*, not *required*. Understand?*
Emilys face paled slightly.
*Whats he like with you?*
Lucy smiled.
*Himself. Real. Tired sometimes, cross others. Not a hero, not a provider. Just a man. We dont try to fix each other. We just live.*
*Is that love?* Emily whispered.
*I dont know. Maybe. Its what happens after storms. When you stop proving things and start being.*
Emily leaned back, scanning the kitchenplain, lived-in, *real*.
*I always wanted everything *right*,* she murmured. *Dinner on time. William well-rested. No digging in the garden, just relaxing. Clean shirts. No fizzy drinks. I thought that was love.*
Lucy stroked Whiskers, letting her talk.
*Once,* Emily said distantly, *Oliver came home late. I snappedwhy no call, dinners cold. He said, I was by the river. Watching the water.*
*And you?* Lucy asked gently.
*I told him he shouldve rung. Bitterness in my voice He just looked at me. Sad. Then showered for ages.*
She stared at her hands.
*Back then, I thought I was right. Now I wonder if Id just hugged him*
*You were who you knew how to be,* Lucy said. *We all misstep. Without you, he wouldnt be who he is now. He grew with you.*
Emily looked up.
*Does he talk about the past?*
*Not often. But with respect. And painwhen he speaks of William.*
Emily turned away.
*William hes angry with him. But I never encouraged it. I just hurt too.*
*I know,* Lucy nodded. *A boy needs his father. Flaws and all.*
*Thats why he asks to come here. For the cat,* Emily exhaled, smiling faintly. *Found an excuse Doesnt know how else to say it.
