“He hasnt been your husband for a long time,” said the ex-wife, settling in for the night.
Sarah tightened her grip on the door handle until her knuckles turned white. Standing before her was a woman shed only seen in old photosEmma, the first wife of her husband, James.
“What are you doing here?” Sarah asked quietly.
“James didnt tell you?” Emma smirked, brushing damp hair from her face. “He promised to give you a heads-up.”
“Tell me what?”
“That I was coming. Ive got nowhere to stay, and all the hotels are booked. James suggested I crash here for the night.”
Sarah felt the floor drop beneath her. James *had* muttered something that morning about an old friend, but shed been rushing to work and hadnt paid attention.
“Can I come in?” Emma nodded at her suitcase. “Im soaked through, and the rains getting worse.”
Sarah stepped aside automatically. Emma walked in, leaving wet footprints on the hardwood.
“Is James home?” she asked, shrugging off her coat.
“Still at work.”
“Right. And you must be Sarah? Hes told me so much about you.”
Sarah stayed silent, studying the uninvited guest. Emma was a striking woman in her mid-forties, with a sharp bob and intelligent grey eyes. Dressed simply but stylishlynothing like someone with nowhere to go.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Sarah said reluctantly. “Fancy a cuppa?”
“Love one.”
While Sarah busied herself with the kettle, Emma glanced around the flat. This was the same place shed shared with James fifteen years agoonly now, the wallpaper, furniture, even the photos were different.
“Cosy place,” she remarked when Sarah returned with the tea. “James always had a knack for making things feel like home.”
“That was me,” Sarah snapped. “James hasnt lifted a finger here.”
“Really? He used to love decorating. I remember picking out that chandelier.” Emma nodded at the ceiling. “Dragged me round shops for two days.”
Sarah followed her gaze. The chandelier *was* olddefinitely not her choice. James had always said it came with the flat.
“So whats the housing issue?” Sarah asked, sitting opposite her. “There are plenty of hotels in London.”
“Selling my place. Buyers moved in early, and I havent found a new one yet. Just sofa-surfing for now.”
“No family? Friends?”
“No family left, and friends well, you know how it is. Ask to stay a few nights, and suddenly its awkward.”
Emma sipped her tea and smiled.
“James didnt hesitate to help, though. Hes always been kind like that.”
*Kind like that.* Sarah nearly choked on her drink.
“Always?”
“Well, you knowhe was the same when we were married.”
“You divorced fifteen years ago.”
“On paper. But can you really cut ties with someone after twelve years together? Weve got so many memories, mutual friends”
Sarah set her cup down. Her hands shook.
“James never mentioned seeing you.”
“Why would he?” Emma shrugged. “Were just friends. A call here, a catch-up there. Nothing serious.”
“How often do you call?”
“Once a month, maybe more. He checks in on me, I check in on him. Were not enemies.”
Sarah said nothing. James had *never* mentioned speaking to his ex-wife. In eight years of marriage, not once had he said he kept in touch with Emma.
The front door clicked. Footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Sarah, Im home!” James called. “Hows it going?”
“Were in the lounge!” Emma answered.
James froze in the doorway, his face flickering with something like panic.
“Em Youre already here.”
“Clearly. Your wifes been lovely.”
James kissed Emmas cheek awkwardly. Sarah noticed his hand linger on her shoulder.
“How was the trip? Flight on time?”
“Fine. Got caught in the rain, though. Lucky Sarah let me in.”
James glanced at his wife. Sarah sat silent, lips pressed tight.
“Sarah, you dont mind Em staying, do you? I *did* mention it this morning…”
“You did,” Sarah said flatly. “Just didnt specify *who*d be sleeping here.”
An uncomfortable silence settled. Emma watched them both.
“Ill start dinner,” Sarah said, heading to the kitchen.
She stood by the window, staring at the rain. Fragmented thoughts racedJames keeping in touch with his ex. Hiding it. Emma knowing about the chandelier James claimed came with the flat. Their ease around each other, fifteen years post-divorce.
“Sarah, you got a sec?” James poked his head in.
“Come in.”
He shut the door. “Look, I know this is unexpected. But Ems really in a bind.”
“Why didnt you tell me you still talk to her?”
James hesitated.
“Dunno. Didnt seem important.”
“*Didnt seem important?* Youre in touch with your ex-wife, and Ive no idea. How is that not important?”
“We just chat now and then. Its nothing.”
“She said you meet up.”
James flushed.
“Ran into her in town a couple times. Coffee, a quick catch-up. Didnt think youd mind.”
“I mind that you *hid* it.”
“I wasnt hiding. Just didnt think it was worth mentioning.”
Sarah turned. “Your ex-wife isnt worth mentioning?”
“Sarah, dont make a big deal out of this. Ems just an old friend.”
“Old friends dont sleep in our flat.”
“Her situations different. Shes selling her place, got nowhere to go.”
“There are *hundreds* of hotels.”
“All booked. Holiday season.”
Sarah knew that was a lie. Just yesterday, shed booked her sister a roomplenty available.
“James, be honest. Is there something between you?”
“What dyou mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
James looked away.
“Course not. We split ages ago.”
“Thats not an answer.”
“Sarah, theres nothing going on. I love *you*. Ems the past.”
He reached for her, but she stepped back.
“Then why sneak around?”
“Not sneaking. Just keeping it private.”
“Whats the difference?”
James had no reply. Sarah returned to the stove.
“Go entertain your guest. Ill finish dinner.”
The meal passed in stiff silence. Emma shared work anecdotes; James laughed along. Sarah spoke only when necessary.
“Remember that weekend at Bens cottage, James?” Emma said. “You dove into the lake like an idiotthought youd drown.”
“How could I forget?” James grinned. “You chewed me out for half an hour.”
“Because you *were* an idiot. Always showing off for your mates.”
They reminisced about people Sarah didnt know, places shed never been. She felt like a stranger at her own table.
“Sarah, not joining in?” Emma asked. “Or are our old stories boring?”
“Boring,” Sarah said bluntly.
“I get it. A husbands past isnt fun for his wife.”
“Especially when that past is in my living room.”
Emma smiled.
“You know, Sarah, I understand the jealousy. But honestly, youve nothing to worry about. James made his choice eight years ago.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I needed help, and James is reliable. Isnt that a good thing in a husband?”
Sarah stood.
“Excuse me, Ive an early start. James, show your guest where the sofa bed is.”
She left for the bedroom, but sleep wouldnt come. Muffled voices drifted from the kitchenJames and Emma, talking, laughing. Sarah strained to hear.
James finally came to bed late, finding her half-asleep.
“You awake?” he whispered.
“Now I am.”
“Sarah, lets not fight over this. Ems leaving tomorrow.”
“Where to?”
“She found a temp spot. A mates putting her up for a week.”
“Convenient. Said no all day, suddenly changes her mind tonight.”
James lay beside her but didnt touch her.
“Sarah, I dont get why youre so upset.”
“Because you *lied*.”
“I didnt.”
“You did. Hotels arent fullI booked one yesterday. That chandelier wasnt here when you moved inyou picked it with Emma. And you dont occasionally talk. Youre in touch constantly.”
James was quiet.
“Fine, maybe I downplayed things. But that doesnt mean theres anything between us.”
“Then what *does* it mean?”
“That I didnt want to upset you.”
“*
