Julie, you wont believe it Paul and Amelia are coming for the weekend! Robert says, holding his phone and grinning at his girlfriend.
Seriously? It feels like ages since weve seen them five years? she smiles. Well, well have plenty to talk about.
Yeah, theyve been dying to get away. Paul keeps moaning that everything in their town is getting worse. We managed to break out, but theyre still stuck in that swamp.
Where are they going to stay?
Honestly, I offered them our place straight away. Youre okay with that, right? Robert winks.
If theyve decided without me, Im fine. Well give them a proper London weekend. Well walk them around, show them everything. Let them see what life looks like when you actually try and work, Julie says, pride flickering in her eyes for the two of them. They moved, settled, and are doing quite well now. People used to think there was nothing for ordinary folk from the provinces.
The flat shines for the guests arrival: Julie has scrubbed every surface, pulled fresh linen from the wardrobe to spread on the sofa, bought a cosy throw so the visitors dont feel the chill, and added a couple of new pillows for comfort. They treat the visit like a family gathering.
On Saturday morning the intercom rings. A minute later Paul and Amelia stand in the hallway. Paul is in an old tracksuit long out of fashion in the capital; Amelia wears baggy jeans and a tight tee, looking sullen and irritated as she scans the corridor.
Come in, dear guests Robert says.
Wow, even better than I imagined, Paul says, pulling off battered trainers and flashing socks with holes.
Amelia walks deeper into the flat, glances around in silence and asks:
Is this your own place?
No, we bought it with a mortgage, Robert replies. Shall we head to the kitchen? Tea, coffee?
Coffee, Amelia says.
I could do something stronger, Paul elbows Robert.
An hour later the atmosphere relaxes. The friends swap news.
Honestly life is completely different here, Julie remarks.
The air even feels different. People seem to smile more, Amelia nods.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for, Paul adds. Back home its no pay, no work. Ugh.
Julie sets out a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake she baked for the occasion.
Listen, Robert, Paul begins over dinner. Do you have any vacancies at work? Im ready for anything. Im fed up grinding for pennies.
Ill see, Robert says. Were actually hiring right now. Ill try, but I cant promise anything.
Would you consider moving? With children? Julie asks, surprised.
Well Amelia tries a bite of cake and thinks. We could move the whole family, but you know, two kids, the older just started nursery. We fought hard for that spot, and we have no money for a move.
If it helps, Paul could go first. We have a staff flat where lads share a twoperson room. They dont complain, Robert says.
Julie watches her husband, notices a flicker of doubt, then sees him smile as if to push it away.
Id rather not live apart, Amelia murmurs. Its all about prospects and salary.
Monday comes and the guests leave. Paul sends his résumé, Robert puts in a good word, and within weeks everything falls into place.
Paul lands a job quickly. Robert keeps his promise, talks to the manager and recommends him. Paul gets a trial contract not the highest grade, but a decent £30,000 a year with room to progress.
Mate, I owe you one, Paul says one evening, dropping by with a bottle of wine. This is my shot. Weve got no options at home. Lets make a fresh start!
Just dont let me down, Robert replies, uncorking the bottle.
Julie watches from the doorway. At first everything seems normal: Paul pops round now and then, sips tea, talks about how the new job is going. He stays in the shared staff flat with his colleagues.
Paul, hows Amelia? How are the kids? Julie asks out of habit.
The kids are great. I sent them money for new toys. Mom helps but Amelia isnt thrilled Ive moved. Im glad, though a break from her constant nagging, Paul admits after a few glasses.
Yeah, longdistance relationships are tough. At least youll miss each other, Julie mutters.
Paul eventually leaves again.
The following weekend he returns, this time with Amelia and the children.
Weve come for the weekend, Amelia says, as if theyd planned everything in advance. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages, and weve missed you too.
Julie freezes. Its been a year, maybe two not two weeks. She cant just turn them away.
Right, come on in. Ive roasted a chicken, she says, forcing a smile. Where are you staying?
At a B&B, Amelia sighs. Its pricey, but we have no cash for a hotel. We need to see each other now and then, otherwise hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Amelia, who am I supposed to bring? Robert asks halfjokingly. His hospitality has become routine.
Red or white? Robert adds. We wont be long. Could you watch the kids for a bit? Paul and I need some time alone you know how cramped a onebedroom flat is with children.
Julie looks at Robert, who shrugs. He understands Paul, but looking after strangers kids isnt his idea of fun.
We wont be long, honestly, Amelia says, cupping her hands.
Fine, one goround is fine. Have a seat, lovebirds. Make a third one, Julie laughs. They say you get a good cheque for babysitting maybe itll cover a mortgage payment.
Paul and Amelia chuckle and leave. The children stay with Robert and Julie.
Nothing terrible happens. The young couple gets a bit more exhausted than usual, but they feel like heroes for not abandoning friends.
The visits become a regular thing. Amelia turns up almost every week, always asking to look after the kids. Not just for a couple of hours, but for an entire day, an evening, sometimes the whole Saturday.
My husband works in another city, she explains. I need these meetups. Please, you dont have kids at the moment, so you can practice!
Julie snaps the third time and says enough.
The nurserys closed. We have plans.
Really? Youre moving? Amelia exclaims, then lights up with an idea. Perfect. Hand us the keys. Well stay a week or two. Hotels are too expensive, and my husband wont pay, says my trips cost him a fortune.
No, that wont work. Were only away for a night. Then well be back. Where do you expect us to put you? Julie asks.
You have two bedrooms. We wont be in the way. Were practically family.
After that conversation Julie almost argues with Robert.
Did you hear what she said? Wed have to move to make it convenient for them!
Maybe shes stressed. Kids, moving, husband maybe PMS.
Its not stress, its nerve! We dont have to host them! Im against it. Call Paul and tell his wife to stop being so pushy.
Listen, that feels wrong.
Are they behaving?
Robert shrugs, then calls Paul. Amelia backs off a little, or so Julie thinks. In reality she changes tactics, sending messages to Robert.
Hi. Can you do me a favour? I need to check his phone Hes not texting anyone?
When Robert declines, Amelia writes again.
Then at least drop by his place. See if there are any womens things in his room.
Robert seriously, have a proper chat with him. Hes pulling away, Im scared. I think someone else is in his life, and he trusts you.
Robert replies briefly at first, then starts ignoring her. Amelia floods him with calls, voice notes, crying texts full of pleading emojis.
Julie never hears about this. Robert hides the messages, deletes them, sometimes retreats to another room to talk.
One evening, while hes on his phone, Julie leans over his shoulder and sees a long message from Amelia:
Go to his flat tomorrow. I feel ignored. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Julie flares up.
What are you hiding? Is she a friend now? Or are you spying on Paul?
Im not spying! Robert fumbles. She just wont leave me alone. She calls, writes, complains. I thought shes my friends wife, maybe I should help
Help? Shes using you as a messenger! And you keep quiet while she nags? Thats because you cant say no. You gave her permission, and now youre hiding it like a guilty cat! Shame on you!
Youre right, Im sorry. I should have told you and put an end to this. Robert wipes the messages and blocks her number.
After that, Amelia finally gets through to Robert and he tells her he wont take part in any more investigations. She gets angry, blames Julie for ruining things, saying real friends dont act like this.
You know, if you keep pestering, Ill tell Paul
Thats the last she says before pulling back.
Paul learns about the messages from Julie. Hes furious when he realises how far its gone and confronts Robert one evening:
Shes been prying into everything, hasnt she? Sorry shes so nosy. Im tired of it. I thought distance would help, but no. Ill deal with it.
Two months pass. Amelia and Paul disappear from their lives.
Robert and Julie return to their routine, take a holiday, visit their parents, and run into Amelia back in their hometown. She passes without a word. Later they hear she and Paul have split.
Rumour has it Amelia found someone while Paul was in London The jealous wife turned out to be unfaithful herself. It happens.
