He shoved the suitcases out of the front door and announced, Youre not living here any more. Were divorcing. Charlie stays with me. His words were as crisp as a freshly buttered crumpet, and the bags went thudding onto the hallway carpet.
Nothing, James muttered to himself. Shell cool down, apologise, and well be back to the way things were. In the meantime she can crash at her mums.
Emma had never had a bad day in her life. Seven years ago shed married the steadyasarock software developer James and moved out of her mothers house into his flat in Manchester.
Two years later she gave birth to their son, Charlie, a little bundle James adored, spending his evenings changing diapers while Emma built her career in a bustling retail firm.
Her career was on a roll tooher bosses loved her diligent, goforit attitude, and after a monthlong stint in London she was on the brink of becoming head of her department. That promotion might even open the door to the capital itself.
She also had a secret admirerhandsome colleague Mike, who could keep a witty retort on the tip of his tongue.
They didnt meet often, but the occasional rendezvous was enough for Emma to feel like a wanted woman amid her otherwise orderly life with James.
Dont push your luck, Emma! her mother, Margaret, would chide, fully aware of Emmas sideventure. James will never forgive you if he finds out. Charlie will grow up without a father.
Mother, calm down! Emma would wave off. Im a careful woman, and James loves me and trusts me completely.
Eventually James began to suspect the extra hours Emma was putting in at work, and he wasnt thrilled about her idea of moving to London. Theyd argue a couple of times, but James was quick to make up, and theyd be back on good terms in no time.
Just to be safe, Emma put a temporary halt on seeing Mike, which left him feeling rather disgruntled.
She assumed the young man was pining for more time with his belovedherbut the reality turned out quite different.
Whats with the sour face, Mike? Did Emma ditch you? Emma overheard him chatting with coworker Tom.
Enough already! Mike snapped. James smells something! Did I waste a whole year on her?
He should have taken her to London, perhaps even saved a spot for her after his own departure. Instead, he was left wondering why she was wandering about.
Come off it! Tom laughed. I thought you two were in love
What are you babbling about? Mike retorted disdainfully. That old hag gave up on me a hundred years ago!
Emma was incensed. Old hag? Shes only three years younger than me! she snarled.
She let the comment fly, and Tom scurried away to the back office while the pair continued their spat on the stairwell, oblivious to the sudden appearance of their boss.
Whats going on here? boomed Howard Clarke, the department head, startling both of them. Are you having a loveinthecorridor party?
We, Mike began.
Mike, I didnt expect this from you, Howard said, waving off Mikes apology. Ill think twice about that promotion for you and whether you even have a future in London.
Sir, its a misunderstanding, Emma stammered. Ill explain
Will you still be with the company, Mike? Ill decide that later, Howard continued, his tone icy, and marched on, leaving the couple in a tangled mess.
Howard didnt linger. Emma was a valuable employee; shed been with the firm since its inception, while Mike had only joined a couple of years earlier. They didnt fire him, but they did reassign him to a branch on the other side of the city.
The vulgar parting words Mike had tossed at her were something Emma tried hard to forget, along with the man himself.
She was forced to think of him again a few days later.
Late again? James greeted her, his tone anything but friendly.
Right on cue, Emma replied, feeling barely a hint of guilt. Ive been dealing with a tough new client. She didnt notice Jamess narrowed stare.
Earned another raise, have you? he sneered, slapping a stack of photos onto the desk.
The pictures showed Emma and Mike in a café, on the street, walking out of a hotel. It would take a blind person to miss the fact they were, well, lovers.
She was tired of defending herself at work for a failed affair, and she hoped James would eventually forgive her. So she decided to come clean.
It wasnt a habit, she said, just a couple of times when the mood struck, the beer ran low, and so on.
To Emmas surprise, James didnt react the way she expected. That evening he stopped talking to her, went to sleep in Charlies room, and the next day he personally gathered her belongings and shoved them into the hallway.
Youre not living here any more. Were divorcing. Charlie stays with me, he repeated, his voice as sharp as a winter wind.
Emma was so stunned she didnt even argue.
James will calm down, she told herself. Shell apologise, and well be back to normal. In the meantime Ill stay with my mum.
I told you! Margaret said, a hint of scorn softening into sympathy. Everything will sort itself out. Its just sad that Charlie will grow up without his mother.
Mother, Ill manage! The mention of her son only irritated Emma further.
She also burned with a desire for revenge against the man who had betrayed hershe thought only Mike could deliver it.
The very next day Emma cornered Mike at his new workplace.
Great, just what I needed, Mike grumbled. Now Ill have to start from scratch and prove to Howard that Im still valuable.
Dont think youre the only one playing games, he muttered. Im done with this.
Then who? Emma asked, bewildered.
I have no idea, Mike shrugged. I didnt even take those photosprinting them is a thing of the past, you know.
By then Emma didnt have time to chase the mystery man. James refused to listen to any apologies, filed for divorce, and pressed her to stop begging.
The worst part was that James barred her from seeing Charlie. The boy stopped going to nursery, and on the rare walks Emma managed, she never got a chance to sneak a glimpse. James even changed the locks on the flat.
My son doesnt need a mother like you, James said stonecold, not even looking at her. If you keep hanging around Ill strip you of parental rights, like some irresponsible woman.
Youve gone mad! Emma gasped. James, speak like an adult, will you?
Nothing worked.
Margaret tried to intervene with her soninlaw, not asking for forgiveness but pleading for her grandson. James was politely firm, his resolve unshaken.
Emma decided to throw herself into work, hoping Howard would finally send her to London for that coveted department head role.
Things started looking up, and she felt a spark of optimismmaybe the family could be patched together again.
Mother, celebrate with me! Emma burst into her mothers flat one evening, brimming with joy. In a week Im off to the capital, and then well, lets not get ahead of ourselves.
Margarets face changed, not from happiness but from something else. She slumped into a chair, covered her face, and began to sob.
Mother whats wrong? Emma asked, panicked. What happened?
What happened?! Margaret snapped, eyes dry yet burning. Youve decided to abandon me completely? You cant stay in one place, can you? And you dont even care about your mother!
Mother, I visit you twice a week, I even live here temporarily now
Thank you ever so much! Margaret snapped, waving her hand dramatically. Youve done a favour to your dear old mother! No one needs me, she wailed, clearly on the brink of tears.
Im trying, I thought but look at this, she mumbled incoherently.
Then a thought struck Emma.
Mother? Did you tell James about my affair? Did you take those photos? Yes?
What else could I have done? I was alone, abandoned by everyone! I thought youd move in with Charlie and mewhere would we go? Wed all live happily together Who could have guessed?
Emma stared at her weeping mother for a long moment, then flung her bag into the hallway and walked out. She spent a couple of nights at a friends flat before renting her own place.
A month later James finally allowed her to see Charlie, and the three of them began to spend a lot of time together. It seemed the family might just manage a reunion after all.
