Youre so lucky, Lucy, having a man like that, Natasha sighed dreamily. Picks you up from work every day in the car. Just had the flat done up. And now youve got that promotion. Honestly, its enough to make anyone jealous. But dont get me wrongits the good kind of envy, you know?
Lucy kept packing her bag. Andrew would be there 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 desk. Grass isnt always greener.
Natasha pouted like a child.
You dont see your own blessings, Lu. My Dave? Useless, messy, and burns through money like its nothing. Six months Ive been nagging him to find a proper job. And what does he say? Im tired of working for the man, Nat. Want to start my own business. With what? His monthly gaming budget? Bloody entrepreneur…
Lucy glanced at her friend. Theyd known each other just over a year, but shed grown fond of Natashaand knew every sordid detail of her marriage. Dave really did grind her nerves daily, with no sign of stopping.
Itll sort itself out, Nat, Lucy said, her phone buzzing on the desk. Oh, Andrews here. Better dash. See you Monday, yeah?
Natasha nodded, watching Lucy leave with a strange, thoughtful lookone Lucy didnt catch.
Shed barely settled into the car when Andrew noticed her expression.
Rough day?
Lucy shook her head.
Natashas Dave is driving her mad. Dont think shell last much longer.
Andrew shrugged.
Not our circus, not our monkeys.
Lucy shot him a glare. His coldness grated sometimes. But she let it slide. Natashas problems werent worth a row.
…Shed been right. A month later, Natasha turned up at work with puffy eyes.
Were splitting, she blurted. And Dave kicked me out. Me! Like some mangy cat! From our flat! Where am I supposed to go?
Lucy hugged her.
Dont panic, Nat. Stay with us for a bit. Sort the divorce, find a place, get your head straight.
Natasha sobbedloud, messy, heaving cries.
Lucy, I dont know what Id do without you.
Lucy patted her back, already dreading breaking the news to Andrew…
As expected, he wasnt thrilled about their guest. But he bit his tongue over dinner, while Natasha prattled, mixing complaints about Dave with gushing praise for the flat.
Dave never lifted a finger in five years. But this place? Flawless. You can tell real thought went into it. Brilliant!
Lucy flushed. Most of the decor had been her idea. The praise warmed her.
…Natasha turned out to be the perfect lodger. Quiet, tidy. By day three, she offered to cook so Lucy could relax after work.
Doing a stew tonight, Natasha chirped from the back seat. Checked the fridge this morninggot everything. God, its bliss not taking the bus. Like night and day.
Lucy smiled. Natasha had settled in fast but made it clear she wasnt overstaying. She was already flat-hunting.
Dinners grew livelier. Natasha and Andrew shared a taste in music, dissecting albums for hours, critiquing lyrics, praising vocals. Lucy watched her introverted husband open up, his usual icy shell cracking.
And not just the shell, Lucy thought one evening, spotting her best friend and husband locked in a passionate kiss by the car park…
Couldve at least picked a less public spot, Lucy said dryly.
They sprang apart like schoolkids caught snogging. Andrew spoke first.
Lucy, waitits not what it
Dental inspection? Tongue edition? Lucy cut in. And you, Nat. Didnt peg you for this. I took you in, helped you through the divorce. And you stab me in the back. Some friend.
Natasha lifted her chin.
Whats the big deal? We fell in love! Andrew said himselfhes happier with me. He hasnt felt like this with you in ages!
Andrew paled.
Natasha, what the hell? Lucy, love, I
Save it, Lucy snapped. Dont bother. Im staying at Mums tonight. You two pack your things. And take the bedsheetsdont want to imagine what youve done on them. Keys.
Andrew meekly handed over the car keys. Lucy started the engine.
Dont cry. Dont give them the satisfaction.
Natashas voice carried through the window:
Why should we be the ones to leave?
At her mums, Lucy drank a gallon of tea, tears flowing nonstop. Her mother soothed her, but it barely helped. Lucy blamed herself, Andrew, Natasha, the universe…
Why did I even offer to help? Mum, this is all my fault!
Her mother stroked her back.
Dont be daft, love. You couldnt have known. You were just being kind.
And now Ive lost my husband and my friend.
Itll pass, youll see.
Lucy didnt believe her but nodded anyway. No point upsetting Mum further.
Morning came. Lucy barely dragged herself from bed. She wanted to burrow under the duvet foreveravoid Natasha, Andrew, divorce talk. Just vanish.
When the alarm blared a third time, she kicked the covers off.
Enough wallowing. Im stronger than this.
She somehow made it to work. Natasha lurked by her desk.
Morning, Lucy said flatly.
We need to talk! Why should we move out? Youre the one who should go! Theres two of usyoure alone! Andrews just packing like a zombie! Why? Explain!
Lucy studied her. Yesterday, a friend. Today…
Not here, Natasha.
She dodged Natasha all day. But back homeno escape. The flat felt hollow, stripped bare.
Lucy, maybe its not too late? I swear itll never happen again.
She glared at him.
No, Andrew. I dont forgive cheating. And what then? Id always wonderis he straying? Eyeing someone else? You think Id live like that?
Andrew hung his head. The doorbell rang. Natasha stormed in.
Now you cant run! Why should we leave? Its your shared flat! Andrews entitled to half!
Lucy snorted. Absurd.
So it was envy all along. My husband, my flat, my car. Thought youd steal half by nicking my husband. Right, Nat?
Natashas silence spoke volumes.
Flaw in your plan, love. The flats in my namehad it before we married. Cars mine too, bought with my inheritance. Andrew drove it because I hate to. All youve won is Andrew. Congrats.
Natasha stepped back, gaping at Andrew.
Its not a shared flat? But you always said our flat! You lied!
No. It was our home. Didnt think details mattered. Waityou didnt even leave Dave, did you? This was always about Andrew?
Natasha flushed with rage.
You flaunted your perfect lifeof course I wanted it! What did you expect?
Lucy barked a laugh.
Shouldve done your homework, love. But too late now. Both of youget out. Had enough drama for one day.
Natasha hurled curses as Andrew dragged her out. His final glance begged forgiveness. But the ashes of their marriage were already cold.
