They meet in a tiny coffee shop on a rainy morning in Manchester. She sits at a corner table waiting for a friend, a steaming mug of tea in front of her and a slice of Victoria sponge on a plate. He walks in looking for a quick coffee and a chance to think about what comes next.
She is striking, with dark hair and bright eyes; he is goodlooking and finds it easy to start a conversation with any girl. He likes her, and she seems to like him too.
May I join you? he asks in a tone that leaves no room for a no.
Sure, but Im waiting for a friend, so you wont have to linger long, she replies.
I dont need a long stay. I just want to meet you and swap phone numbers. A few minutes are more than enough, he says.
And who told you Id hand over my number? she asks, breaking off a bite of the cake.
Because you like sweets, and sweet things belong to kind people. Im also fond of sweets, so were a perfect match, he grins.
So youre a kind soul, then? she laughs.
Absolutely. Cant you see it? Im a very kind and decent bloke, he says, taking a sip.
Ive never seen someone so sure of himself before, she remarks.
And Ive never seen a beauty like you, he replies.
Emma, she says, extending her hand.
Jack, he answers, taking her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and kissing her so passionately that Emma feels a heat rush through her.
Excuse me, she says, arent you being a bit forward with a complete stranger?
Im not aggressive at all. Besides, who would I be aggressive toward when Im looking at the most gorgeous woman in the world? he jokes.
Actually its a lady, not just a girl, Emma points to the wedding band on her left hand. Im married.
And what, has that ever stopped anyone? Married today, single tomorrowthats life. These days marriage feels fragile and shortlived.
Listen, my family sees marriage as forever. So, dear, I think its time for us to part ways, she says.
Why are you saying that? I feel theres no reason for either of us to walk away. Lets exchange numbersno strings attached. If we ever want to talk again, well need them, he pleads.
Youre quite confident. Why do you think Ill give you my number?
Im not confident; Im simply sincere. If we like each other, why not meet again? he says with a charming smile that Emma cant resist.
Alright, tell me, she dictates her mobile number.
Ill call you now, and youll have my number saved for later, he promises.
Fine, Ill keep it, Emma replies, but you should sit at another table. My friend is arriving, and I dont need any gossip.
No worries, I get it. Ill disappear, but well meet again someday, he says, grabbing his mug and heading to the far corner of the shop.
A week later Jack calls Emma. Shes been expecting his call, so she meets him again at the same café.
Emma, Jack begins, Id love to get to know you better.
Jack, Im married. I work as a nurse at the Royal Infirmary, and I could see us getting together, but I have a husband. He gets very jealous. Simon served overseas as a contractor and now runs a youth combat training club. Hes strong and protective, and I would never cheat on himnot only because Im morally opposed to infidelity, but also because its dangerous.
Emma, Jack says confidently, Im really taken with you and I cant just walk away. Im a software developer, I dont carry weapons, and Im not scared of your husband. I just want to be friends and see where things go.
Jack works for a small tech firm in Salford. He isnt rolling in money, but he can afford a decent social life and enjoys the attention of attractive women. He cant pass up a chance with Emma, and hes determined to win her over.
They meet again, and the encounter sets the tone for what follows. Emma tells her husband shes covering a night shift, then stays over at Jacks flat. Neither of them notices how quickly they fall in love, and soon theyre meeting whenever they can.
One evening Emma calls Jack.
My husbands away on a competition for a week, so Im expecting you tonight, she says.
Emma, isnt that risky? Maybe we should meet at my place, like we always do, Jack suggests.
No, come to my flat. Ill cook a romantic dinner, and we can finally have a proper night together. Im tired of meeting in your bachelor cave, she replies.
Alright, Ill be there this evening, he agrees.
Later that night Jack arrives at Emmas door carrying a bouquet, a bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates and a small cake. Emmas dinner is delicious; the champagne and wine loosen their tongues, and after they eat they retire to the bedroom, expecting a night as tender as the candlelit dinner.
At two oclock a frantic knock rattles the front door. They jump out of bed, bewildered. Emma peers through the peephole.
Its my husband, Jackits the end! Hide somewhere! she whispers.
Where? he asks, panic rising.
I dont know, figure it out yourself! Emma cries, half asleep.
Whos there? she asks, voice trembling.
Emma, open up! You dont recognise me? a drunken voice shouts from the hallway. Its Simon, stumbling with a set of keys.
Okay, what do we do? Emma, shaking, looks at Jack.
Just open the door, we have no choice, Simon slurs, his face pale.
Jack quickly stuffs his belongings under the bed, throws on the only trousers he has, and darts into the bathroom.
Where have you been getting so smashed? Emma hears him from the hallway. Why didnt you leave?
The bus broke down, our crew had to hitch rides home. We stopped for a quick drink at a bar and got stuck, Jack explains, his voice muffled.
Just a little drink, youre a mess! Emma yells.
Dont worry, love, Ive got it under control. I just need the loo, he mutters.
Youll go tomorrow, right now go back to bed! Emma orders.
Emma, I really need the bathroom now! he protests.
Simon, clearly inebriated, bursts into song with a deep, booming voice: No, no, no, I want it now, I want it now! He laughs like a child, delighted with his own joke, and staggers toward the toilet.
The flats combined bathroom and toilet looks like a cramped maze. Emma freezes, unable to move, her mind racing with dread. She imagines the worst and shuts her eyes, bracing for a nightmare. Yet no sound comes from the bathroom. How could Simon not see Jack? Where could he be hiding in that tiny room?
Jack crouches behind the tiled wall, presses his back against the sturdy ledge that runs halfway up the bath, and spreads himself flat, hugging the walls and ceiling, trying not to breathe. Simons focus is on the toilet bowl; he climbs onto it and continues his drunken chant. Emma, trembling by the bathroom door, watches the chaos, her heart pounding.
Seeing Simons massive frame and clenched fists, Jack knows that if hes spotted, this will be his final romantic encounteror his last day alive. He stays motionless, holding his breath.
Simon, oblivious, stays in the bathroom, humming and swaying. A sour smell from the toilet mixes with the alcohol fumes, making Jacks nose itch. He tries to pull his hand away from the wall to wipe his nose, but his grip slips, and he feels himself sliding toward the floor. Falling would mean landing straight into Simons arms, a hulking, angry figure.
Finally, a violent sneeze erupts from Jack, echoing off the tiny tiles like thunder. Startled, Simon looks up and, for a split second, sees a wooden cross taped to the bathroom wallan odd decoration Jack had glued there. Simon jumps, yelps, and fumbles, losing his balance. He tumbles off the toilet, crashes into the wall, and collapses on the floor, coughing.
Jack seizes the chance, scrambles out, grabs his bag, and darts down the stairs barefoot, his trousers barely holding on. The building has twelve floors and two highspeed lifts, but panic propels him faster than any elevator. He bursts out onto the street, breathing hard, his heart still racing.
Emma watches, pale as a sheet, unable to comprehend what just happened. She hears Jacks footsteps fade away and the distant sirens of an approaching police car.
A few minutes later Simon regains consciousness, looks up, sees nothing but the tiled ceiling.
Drink a bit less next time, Emma scolds him later, when he finally tells her about his nightmarish vision.
