“He hasnt been your husband for years,” said the ex-wife, settling in to stay the night.
“He hasnt been your husband for years,” said Natalie, standing in the doorway in a dripping raincoat. “And you know it perfectly well.”
Emma clenched the doorknob so tightly her knuckles turned white. Before her stood a woman shed only ever seen in old photographsher husband Daniels first wife.
“What are you doing here?” Emma asked quietly.
“Daniel didnt tell you?” Natalie smirked, pushing her wet hair back. “He promised to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?”
“That I was coming. Ive got housing issues, and all the hotels are booked. Daniel offered to let me stay here for the night.”
Emma felt the ground shift beneath her. Her husband had mumbled something this morning about an old friend, but shed been rushing to get ready for work and hadnt paid attention.
“Mind if I come in?” Natalie nodded at her suitcase. “Im soaked, and the rains only getting worse.”
Emma stepped aside without thinking. Natalie walked into the hall, leaving wet footprints on the hardwood.
“Is Daniel home?” she asked, shrugging off her coat.
“Still at work.”
“Right. And you must be Emma? Ive heard a lot about you.”
Emma said nothing, studying the uninvited guest. Natalie was a striking woman in her mid-forties, with a sharp bob and intelligent grey eyes. Dressed simply but stylishly, she didnt look like someone with housing troubles.
“Come through to the sitting room,” Emma said reluctantly. “Would you like some tea?”
“Id love some.”
While Emma busied herself in the kitchen, Natalie glanced around the flat. This was the same place shed lived with Daniel fifteen years ago. Only now, everything was differentnew wallpaper, new furniture, new photos on the walls.
“Cosy place,” she remarked when Emma brought the tea. “Daniel always had a knack for making a place feel like home.”
“I did this,” Emma snapped. “Daniel hasnt touched a thing.”
“Really? He used to love decorating. I remember when we picked out that chandelier.” Natalie gestured upward. “He dragged me around shops for two days.”
Emma followed her gaze. The chandelier *was* olddefinitely not her choice. Daniel had always claimed it came with the flat.
“So whats the housing issue?” Emma asked, sitting opposite her. “There are plenty of hotels in town.”
“Im selling my flat. The buyers moved in early, and I havent found a new one yet. Just sofa-surfing for now.”
“No family? Friends?”
“No family left. Friends well, you know how it is. Ask to stay a few nights, and suddenly its awkward.”
Natalie sipped her tea and smiled.
“Daniel agreed straight away, of course. Hes always been kind like that.”
*Hes always been.* Emma choked on her tea.
“*Hes* always been?”
“I mean, he was always kind. Even when we were married.”
“You divorced fifteen years ago.”
“On paper, yes. But can you ever really sever ties with someone you spent twelve years with? Weve got shared memories, mutual friends.”
Emma set her cup down. Her hands shook.
“Daniel never mentioned meeting up with you.”
“Why would he?” Natalie shrugged. “Were just friends. We chat now and then, meet up occasionally. No big deal.”
“How often is now and then?”
“Once a month, maybe more. Daniel checks in, I check in. Were not enemies.”
Emma stayed silent. In eight years of marriage, Daniel had never once mentioned speaking to his ex-wife.
The front door clicked open. Footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Emma, Im back!” Daniel called. “Hows it going?”
“Were in the sitting room!” Natalie answered.
Daniel appeared in the doorway and froze. Something like panic flickered across his face.
“Natalie Youre here already.”
“Clearly. Your wifes been very welcoming.”
Daniel walked over and awkwardly kissed Natalies cheek. Emma noticed how his hand lingered on her shoulder.
“How was the journey? Flight on time?”
“Fine. Got caught in the rain, though. Lucky Emma let me in.”
Daniel glanced at his wife. Emma sat stiffly, lips pressed together.
“Emma, you dont mind Natalie staying, do you? I did mention it this morning”
“You mentioned,” Emma cut in. “Just failed to specify *who* would be sleeping here.”
An uncomfortable silence fell. Natalie watched them both with interest.
“Ill start dinner,” Emma said, heading for the kitchen.
She stood by the window, staring at the rain. Fragmented thoughts raced through her mind. Daniels been in touch with his ex. He hid it. Natalie knows about the chandelier Daniel claimed was left by the previous owners. Theyre too at ease for people who divorced fifteen years ago.
“Em, can we talk?” Daniel hovered in the kitchen doorway.
“Go ahead.”
He shut the door behind him.
“Look, I know this is unexpected. But Natalies really in a bind.”
“Why didnt you tell me youve been speaking to her?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Dunno. Didnt seem important.”
“*Didnt seem important?* Youre in contact with your ex-wife, and I didnt know. How is that not important?”
“We just catch up now and then. Its nothing.”
“She said you meet up.”
Daniel flushed.
“Ran into her a couple of times in town. Had coffee, chatted. Didnt think youd mind.”
“I mind that you *hid* it.”
“I didnt hide it. Just didnt report every little thing.”
Emma turned to face him.
“Your ex-wife is a *little thing*?”
“Emma, dont overreact. Natalies just an old friend.”
“Old friends dont sleep over.”
“Shes genuinely stuck. Selling her place, nowhere to go.”
“There are hundreds of hotels.”
“All booked. Holiday season.”
Emma knew that was a lie. Just yesterday, shed booked a room for her sister with no trouble.
“Daniel, be honest. Is there something between you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Daniel looked away.
“Course not. We split ages ago.”
“Thats not an answer.”
“Emma, theres nothing going on. I love you. Natalies the past.”
He reached for her, but she stepped back.
“Then why the secrecy?”
“Not secrecy. Just privacy.”
“Whats the difference?”
Daniel had no reply. Emma turned back to the stove.
“Go entertain your guest. Ill finish dinner.”
The meal passed in strained silence. Natalie shared funny work stories, Daniel laughed along. Emma said little, only speaking when necessary.
“Remember that weekend at Marks cottage, Daniel?” Natalie said. “You dove into the lake so badly I thought youd drown.”
“How could I forget?” Daniel grinned. “You lectured me for half an hour.”
“Because you showed off like a teenager. Always had to impress your mates.”
They reminisced about people Emma didnt know, places shed never been. She felt like a stranger at her own table.
“Emma, not joining in?” Natalie asked. “Or are our old stories boring?”
“Boring,” Emma said bluntly.
“I get it. A husbands past isnt easy to hear about.”
“Especially when its sitting in my living room.”
Natalie smiled.
“You know, Emma, I understand why youre jealous. But honestly, youve got nothing to worry about. Daniel made his choice eight years ago.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I needed help, and Daniels reliable. Isnt it nice having a husband like that?”
Emma stood.
“Excuse me. Early start tomorrow. Daniel, show your guest where the sofa bed is.”
She went to the bedroom but couldnt sleep. Muffled voices carried from the kitchenDaniel and Natalie talking, laughing. Emma listened to every sound.
Daniel came to bed late, when she was nearly asleep.
“Still awake?” he whispered.
“No.”
“Emma, lets not fight over this. Natalies leaving in the morning.”
“Where to?”
“Shes found a temporary place. A friends putting her up for a week.”
“Convenient. Said no earlier, now suddenly yes.”
Daniel lay beside her but didnt touch her.
“Em, I really dont get why youre so upset.”
“Because you *lied*.”
“I didnt.”
“You did. Hotels arent fully bookedI reserved one for my sister yesterday. You didnt inherit that chandelier; you picked it with Natalie. And you dont just occasionally talk. You
