“You’re so lucky, Katie, with your bloke,” sighed Natalie dreamily. “He picks you up from work every day in the car. You’ve just had the flat done up. And now youve got that promotion. Makes a girl jealous, honestly. But dont take it the wrong wayIm happy for you, really…”
Katie kept packing her bag. Andrew was due to pick her up in five minutes, and she didnt want to keep him waiting.
“Oh, come off it, Nat. Weve had our rows too. Nearly split up during the renovation. And that promotion? Five years of grinding for it. You werent even here when I started eyeing that role. Grass isnt always greener.”
Natalie pouted like a child.
“You dont see how good youve got it, Katie. My husband? Lazy, messy, and burns through money like its nothing. Ive been trying to get him to find a proper job for six months. And guess what? Mike keeps whinging about being tired of working for someone else. Wants to start his own business. With what money? The cash he blows on his gaming every month? Businessman, my foot…”
Katie glanced at her friend. Theyd only known each other a year, but shed grown fond of her colleagueand heard every detail of her marital woes. Mike really did give Natalie grief daily, with no signs of stopping.
“Im sure things will work out, Nat,” Katie said as her phone buzzed on the desk. “Oh, Andrews here. Gotta dash. See you Monday, love.”
Natalie nodded, watching her leave with a strange, thoughtful look Katie didnt catch.
By the time Katie slid into the car, they were already pulling away from the office when Andrew noticed her expression.
“Something happen at work?”
Katie shook her head.
“No, its Nat. Mikes driving her mad. I dont think shell last much longer.”
Andrew shrugged. “Not our problem.”
Katie shot him a glare. His coldness grated on her sometimes. But she let it goNats drama wasnt worth a row.
…Katie was right. A month later, Natalie turned up to work red-eyed and puffy.
“Were getting divorced,” she blurted. “And Mike kicked me out. Me! Like some mangy stray! From our flat! Where am I supposed to live now?”
Katie hugged her tight.
“Dont panic, Nat. Stay with us for a bit. You can sort the divorce, find a place, get back on your feet.”
Natalie burst into loud, messy sobs.
“Katie, thank you. I dont know what Id do without you.”
Katie patted her back soothingly, already dreading how to break the news to Andrew…
As expected, he wasnt thrilled about their guest. But he bit his tongue through dinner while Natalie chattered, mixing complaints about Mike with gushing over the flat.
“Mike never lifted a finger in five years. But this place? Perfect! You can tell youve put your hearts into it. Brilliant!”
Katie flushedmost of the décor had been her idea. The praise warmed her.
…Natalie turned out to be the ideal lodger. Quiet, tidy. By day three, she offered to cook dinners so Katie wouldnt have to after work.
“Ill make a stew tonight,” Natalie announced from the back seat. “Got everything we needchecked this morning. God, its so much better getting home by car than the bus. Night and day.”
Katie smiled. Natalie had settled in quickly but made it clear she wasnt overstayingshe was already flat-hunting.
Dinners grew livelier. Natalie and Andrew shared a taste in music, dissecting albums for hours, critiquing lyrics, praising vocals.
Katie watched her usually reserved husband open up. Her introvert rarely clicked with people, but Natalie had melted his icy shell.
“And not just the shell,” Katie thought bitterly one evening, spotting her best friend and husband locked in a passionate kiss in the car park…
“Couldnt you at least pick a more discreet spot?” she said flatly.
They sprang apart like schoolkids caught snogging. Andrew spoke first.
“Katie, listenits not what it looks likewe just”
“Exploring each others fillings? With tongues?” Katie snapped. “Nat, I didnt expect this from you. I took you in, helped you through the divorce. And this is how you repay me? Some friend.”
Natalie lifted her chin defiantly.
“Whats the big deal? We fell in love! Andrew said himself hes happier with me! He hasnt felt like this with you in ages!”
Andrew paled. “Nat, what the hell? Katie, love, I”
“Save it,” Katie cut in. “I dont want your excuses. Im staying at Mums tonight. Pack your things. And take the beddingI dont even want to imagine. Keys.” She held out her hand.
Andrew handed over the car keys wordlessly. Katie got in and started the engine.
“Dont cry. Dont give them the satisfaction,” she told herself.
As she drove off, she caught Natalies shrill voice:
“Why should we be the ones to leave?!”
At her mums, Katie drank endless tea, tears streaming. Her mother soothed her, but it barely helped. She blamed herself, Andrew, Natalie, the world…
“Why did I even help her? Mum, this is all my fault!”
Her mother stroked her hair. “Darling, dont. You couldnt have known. You just wanted to help a friend.”
“And now Ive lost both,” Katie sniffed.
“Itll get better,” her mum murmured.
Katie didnt believe her but nodded anyway. No use upsetting her more.
Morning came too soon. Katie wanted to bury herself under the duvet foreveravoid Natalie, Andrew, divorce talk. Just hide.
When her alarm blared a third time, she flung the covers off.
“Enough pity. Im stronger than this.”
She dragged herself to work. Natalie was already hovering by her desk.
“Morning,” Katie said neutrally.
“We need to talk! Why should we move out? Youre the one who should go! Its two against one! Andrews just packing like a coward! Why? Explain!”
Katie studied her. Yesterday, a friend. Today…
“Natalie, Im not discussing this at work.”
She avoided her all day. But that evening, when her taxi dropped her home, there was no escaping. The flat felt hollow, half-packed.
“Katie, maybe its not too late?” Andrew said hoarsely. “I swear itll never happen again.”
She glared. “No, Andrew. I dont forgive cheating. And have you thought ahead? Id always wonderis he straying? Eyeing someone else? You think I want that life?”
He hung his head. The doorbell rangNatalie, fuming.
“Now you cant run! Why should we leave? Its your shared flat! Andrews entitled to half! Why are you giving up?!” She turned to Andrew. “We dreamed of living together!”
Katie scoffed. Absurd.
“So you envied me all alongthe husband, the flat, the car. Decided to steal half by taking him. Right, Nat?”
Natalies silence said everything.
“Just one flaw in your plan. The flats in my namebought before we married. The cars mine too, bought with my inheritance. Andrew drove it because I hate to. All youve won is him. Take your prizeI dont want it.”
Natalie stepped back, gaping at Andrew.
“Its not jointly owned? But you always said our flat! You lied!”
“No, I just saw it as our home. Didnt think details mattered.” A realisation struck. “Waityou didnt even divorce Mike, did you? This was always about stealing Andrew?”
Natalie flushed crimson.
“Your fault! Flaunting your perfect lifeof course I wanted it! What did you expect?”
Katie laughed harshly.
“Sweetheart, you shouldve done your homework. Thats where you slipped up. But never mind. Both of youget out of my flat. Ive had enough drama.”
Natalie hurled curses as Andrew dragged her out. His final glance begged forgiveness, but it was too late. Their marriage was ashes.
