I hope youre ready for life without him, said her friend as she drove off to see my husband.
Did you see the queue at the GPs today? Emma shook the raindrops off her umbrella and hung her coat on the hook in the hallway. Waited three hours just to see the doctor.
Come in, come in, Natalie put the kettle on and reached for the biscuit tin. What did the doctor say?
Same as always. Blood pressures all over the placeneeds medication. At our age, its no joke, Nat.
The two had been friends for over thirty years, meeting when they were both on maternity leave, pushing prams in the park. Their sons had grown up together, gone to the same nursery, then the same school. The families had been closecelebrating holidays, visiting each others cottages.
Had a bit of drama yesterday, Natalie set two mugs on the table and sat across from her friend. Walking back from the shops, and who do I see? Simon. Arm in arm with some young woman. I spotted them from a distancehe didnt notice me.
Emma raised an eyebrow.
Maybe a colleague? Work discussion?
On a Sunday? And they werent acting professionally, Ill tell you that. Laughing, her clinging to him. Thought I was seeing things at first.
And then?
Got a closer look. Definitely Simon. Wearing that new jacket I got him for his birthday.
Emma poured the tea and stirred in sugar thoughtfully.
Nat, have you ever thought somethings off between you? Simons been different lately.
Different how?
Dunno. He used to always come with usbarbecues, weekends away. Now hes always got an excuse. Work, tired, something else.
Natalie frowned. Her friend was right. Lately, her husband either stayed home or disappeared on his own business.
Maybe its his age, she ventured. Hell be fifty-five soon.
Or the oppositemidlife crisis, Emma hinted carefully. You know how men get. Think their youths slipping away, start doing stupid things.
Natalie set her cup down with a soft clink.
What are you saying, Em?
Just thinking aloud, thats all.
But Natalie saw the hesitation in her friends eyessomething familiar, though she couldnt place it.
Thank God James is grown now, living his own life, Emma continued. Imagine the damage if his dad suddenly walked out.
Emma! Natalie slammed her cup down. What are you on about? Walked out? We were just talking about Simon with some womancouldve been giving directions!
Course, course, Emma backtracked. Just chatting, thats all.
They finished their tea, talked about rising prices, the weather, the neighbours. As Emma left, she turned at the door.
Nat, did you mention that little encounter to Simon?
Not yet. Why?
Just curious. Wonder what hed say.
After she left, Natalie paced the flat, restless. Emmas words stuck like a splinter. Was her husband really having an affair?
Simon came home for dinner as usualkissed her, washed his hands, sat down. Nothing out of the ordinary.
How was your day? he asked, serving himself potatoes.
Fine. Emma popped by, talked about the doctor.
Right. Whatd the doctor say?
Blood pressure meds.
Simon nodded and focused on his meal. Natalie watched him, debating whether to ask about yesterday. Part of her wanted claritythe other feared the answer.
Simon, where were you yesterday? she finally asked.
Yesterday? He looked up. Went shopping. Needed new shoes.
And after?
Came home. Why?
Just wondering. Saw you near the shopping centre.
Simon didnt flinch.
Yeah, was there. Didnt find anything decent.
Who were you with?
With? No one.
She studied him. Could he lie so easily? Or had she been mistaken?
That night, sleep wouldnt come. She tossed, listening to Simons steady breathing. Everything seemed normal.
Next morning, he left earlybig meeting at work. Natalie tidied up until Emma called.
Nat, can I drop by? Need to talk.
Course, come over.
Emma arrived quickly, flustered, clutching papers.
Sit, Ill put the kettle on, Natalie offered.
No tea. Sit downthis is serious.
Natalies stomach dropped. Emmas tone didnt bode well.
Listen, this is hard to say, Emma fidgeted with the papers. But as your friend, I have to tell you the truth.
What truth?
About Simon. I found out hes having an affair.
The floor seemed to vanish beneath her.
How do you know?
Sarah Wilson told meremember her? Works at Simons firm. Saw them together loads. Hes seeing the new receptionist.
Receptionist?
Yeah. Early twenties, pretty. Sarah says everyone at the office knowsjust not you.
Emma handed over printed photos. There was Simon, arm around a lovely young woman with long hair. Kissing, laughinghappy.
Whered you get these? Natalie whispered.
Sarah took them on her phone. Asked me to show you.
Natalie stared. Her husband of twenty-eight years, holding someone else.
What do I do now? she asked, lost.
Dunno, love. Your life, your choice. But I couldnt keep it from you.
Emma stood by the window.
Nat, maybe its for the best? Youre still young, gorgeous. Could find someone better.
For the best? Natalie snapped. Were family! A son, a homea life together!
What family if hes cheating? Emma spun around. Open your eyes! If he loved you, he wouldnt be messing about with some girl!
Something in Emmas voice felt offtoo eager, too invested.
Em, why do you care so much? Natalie asked slowly.
Youre my best friend! Hurts to see you lied to!
But the tone rang false. Natalie noticed things shed missednew haircut, fresh manicure, an expensive blouse.
Nice blouse, she said. New?
Emma glanced down.
Yeah, bought it yesterday. Sale.
Expensive?
Not bad. Eighty quid.
Eighty pounds was a lot for Emma, who worked retail and often complained about money.
Where from? Might get one myself.
The shopping centre. Cant remember which shop.
Natalie nodded, setting the photos aside.
You know what, Em? Ill talk to Simon first. Get the full story. Then decide.
Course, Emma agreed quickly. Just dont wait too long.
After she left, Natalie sat at the kitchen table, examining the photos. Something felt off.
She called her son.
James, hi, its Mum.
Hey, Mum. Everything alright?
Fine. Quick questionwhere does Dad work exactly? Which department?
Accounts, senior clerk. Why?
Any receptionists there?
James laughed.
In accounts? Nah, just Dave and old Margaret. Dads mentioned them.
Her pulse quickened. If Simon worked in accounts with no young staff, who was the woman in the photos?
She studied them again. Grainy, faces blurred. What if it wasnt even Simon? What if Emma had lied?
But why?
That evening, she met Simon as usualno mention of the photos yet.
Simon, tell me about work, she said over dinner.
Work? What about it?
Just wondering. Who you work with, office dynamics.
He mentioned Dave, Margaret, their meeting-happy boss.
Any young staff?
In accounts? No. Were all over fifty. Why?
Just curious. Emma said your firms got loads of young hires.
Other departments, yeah. Not ours.
Natalie nodded. Matching what James had said.
Next day, she went to Simons office. Waited outside, watching.
He left alone, headed straight for the bustired, preoccupied. No secret meetings.
At home, baffled, she checked the photos with a magnifying glass. The mans nose was wrong, eyes different.
Emma had lied. But why?
Natalie thought backEmmas new clothes, her pushing to break up the marriage, the prying questions.
Then she remembered where shed seen that look in Emmas eyes before. At Simons last birthdaya hungry, lovesick gaze.
Was Emma in love with her husband?
That night, while Simon showered, Natalie checked his phone. Scrolled messages, calls. Nothing suspiciousexcept frequent
