I hope you’re ready for life without him,” my best friend said before driving straight to my husband.

**”Hope you’re ready for a life without him,”** said her friend as she drove off to meet Natalie’s husband.

**”Did you see the queue at the doctor’s today?”** Emma shook raindrops from her umbrella and hung her coat on the hook in the hallway. **”Three hours just to get seen.”**

**”Come in, come in.”** Natalie put the kettle on and pulled a biscuit tin from the cupboard. **”What did the doctor say?”**

**”Same old. Blood pressures all over the placeneeds medication. Not exactly a joke at our age, Nat.”**

Theyd been friends for over thirty years, meeting when their boys were just babies, pushing prams in the same park. Their sons had grown up togethersame nursery, same school. The families had spent holidays together, shared summers in the countryside.

**”Something happened yesterday,”** Natalie said, setting down two cups before sitting opposite her friend. **”I was coming back from the shops when I saw Simon. Arm in arm with some young woman. I spotted them from a distance, but he didnt see me.”**

Emmas eyebrows shot up.

**”Maybe a colleague? Work-related?”**

**”On a Sunday? And they werent exactly keeping it professional, Ill tell you that. Laughing, clinging to him. At first, I thought I was imagining it.”**

**”And then?”**

**”Then I got a proper look. Definitely Simon. Wearing that new jacket I bought him for his birthday.”**

Emma poured the tea, stirring sugar absentmindedly.

**”Nat, have you noticed anything off about Simon lately? Hes been different.”**

**”Different how?”**

**”I dont know. He used to come along to everythingbarbecues, weekends away. Now hes always making excuses. Work, tiredness, some other nonsense.”**

Natalie frowned. Emma was right. Lately, Simon had been either holed up at home or slipping away somewhere.

**”Maybe its just his age,”** she said uncertainly. **”Hell be fifty-five soon.”**

**”Or the oppositemidlife crisis.”** Emma hesitated. **”You know how men lose their heads sometimes. Think youths slipping away, start doing stupid things.”**

Natalie set her cup down with a sharp clink.

**”What exactly are you saying, Em?”**

**”Nothing specific. Just thinking aloud.”**

But Natalie could tell Emma was holding something back. There was a flicker in her eyessomething familiar, but she couldnt place it.

**”At least Daniels grown up now, living his own life,”** Emma went on. **”Imagine the damage if his dad suddenly walked out on the family.”**

**”Emma!”** Natalie slammed her cup down. **”What are you talking about? Walked out? Were just discussing Simon being with some woman! Maybe she was giving him directions!”**

**”Of course, of course,”** Emma said quickly. **”Im not saying anythings happened. Just thoughts.”**

They finished their tea, talked about rising prices, the weather, the neighbours. As Emma got ready to leave, she turned back at the door.

**”Nat, have you told Simon about seeing him?”**

**”No. Why?”**

**”Just curious. Wondered what hed say.”**

Once Emma was gone, Natalie paced the flat, unease gnawing at her. Emmas words stuck like a splinter. Was Simon really having an affair?

He came home for dinner as usual. Kissed her, washed his hands, sat down to eat. Same as always.

**”How was your day?”** he asked, scooping potatoes onto his plate.

**”Fine. Emma came by, talked about her doctors visit.”**

**”Right. What did they say?”**

**”Blood pressures bad. Needs tablets.”**

Simon nodded, focused on his food. Natalie watched him, wrestling with whether to bring up yesterday. Part of her wanted claritythe other dreaded the answer.

**”Simon, where were you yesterday?”** she finally asked.

**”Yesterday?”** He looked up. **”Went shopping. Needed new shoes.”**

**”And after?”**

**”Came home. Why?”**

**”Just wondering. I saw you near the high street.”**

Simon didnt flinch.

**”Yeah, thats where I was. Didnt find any decent shoes, though.”**

**”Who were you with?”**

**”With? No one. I was alone.”**

Natalie studied him. Could he really lie so easily? Or had she been mistaken?

That night, she lay awake, listening to Simons steady breathing. Completely normal.

The next morning, he left early for workimportant meeting, he said. Natalie was about to start chores when Emma called.

**”Nat, can I pop over? Need to talk.”**

**”Of course.”**

Emma arrived quickly, flustered, clutching papers.

**”Sit down,”** Natalie said. **”Ill put the kettle on.”**

**”No tea. You need to hear this.”**

Natalies stomach dropped. Whatever this was, it wasnt good.

**”Listen, this is hard to say,”** Emma began, crumpling the papers in her hands. **”But as your friend, I have to be honest. Simons having an affair.”**

The room spun.

**”How do you know?”**

**”Lena Morrisonremember her? Works at Simons office. Shes seen them together. Hes been seeing the new receptionist.”**

**”The receptionist?”**

**”Yes. Pretty young thing, mid-twenties. Lena says everyone at work knowsexcept you.”**

Emma handed over printed photos. There was Simon, arm around a beautiful woman with long hair. Kissing, laughing.

**”Where did you get these?”** Natalie whispered.

**”Lena took them. She wanted you to know.”**

Natalie stared, heart in her throat. Her husband of twenty-eight years, holding someone else.

**”What do I do?”**

**”I dont know, Nat. Its your call. But I couldnt keep it from you.”**

Emma stood by the window.

**”Maybe its for the best? Youre still young, gorgeous. You could find someone better.”**

**”For the best?”** Natalie snapped. **”Were a family! A son, a home, a life together!”**

**”What kind of family when hes cheating?”** Emma turned sharply. **”Wake up, Nat! If he loved you, he wouldnt be chasing some girl!”**

Something in Emmas tone set off alarms. Too emotional. Too invested.

**”Emma, why do you care so much?”**

**”Because youre my best friend! It kills me seeing you lied to!”**

But the words rang hollow. Natalie noticed things shed missed beforea new haircut, fresh manicure, an expensive blouse Emma couldnt afford.

**”Nice top,”** Natalie said. **”New?”**

Emma glanced down. **”Yeah, got it yesterday. It was on sale.”**

**”Expensive?”**

**”Not really. Fifty quid.”**

Fifty pounds was a lot for Emma, a shop assistant scraping by.

**”Where from? Might get one myself.”**

**”Just the high street. Cant remember which shop.”**

Natalie set the photos aside.

**”Ill talk to Simon first. Get the truth. Then Ill decide.”**

**”Of course,”** Emma said quickly. **”Just dont wait too long.”**

After she left, Natalie pored over the photos. Something wasnt right. She called her son.

**”Daniel, where does your dad work? What department?”**

**”Accountancy. Senior clerk. Why?”**

**”Any receptionists there?”**

Daniel laughed. **”Mum, its just old blokes and Gloria from payroll. Dads told you that.”**

Her pulse raced. If there were no young women in his office, who was in the photos?

She examined them again. The mans face was blurredwas it even Simon?

That evening, she waited outside Simons office. He left alone, looking tired. No mysterious woman.

At home, she checked his phone. Messages from Emmafrequent, overly familiar.

*”Simon, hows work?”*
*”Dont forget your blood pressure pills.”*
*”Fancy a coffee?”*
*”Natalies been complaining about being lonely again.”*

The latest, sent that morning:

*”Ive spoken to her. Hope youre ready for a life without her.”*

Natalies blood ran cold.

Simon had replied:

*”Ive made my decision. I

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