My husband came home from a long haul with a stranger. Shell be living with us now, he announced, and Emily burst into tears. She stared at the newcomer in disbelief. The woman strutted in without a hint of ceremony, slipped into the bathroom, emerged in the hostesss robe with the favourite towel perched on her head. On the way she shouted, Dont just stand there! First, Im hungry. Second, your mans about to arrive. Emily wanted to scream and throw her out the door, but she kept quiet.
The flat belonged to my husband, acquired before they were married, so it was his separate property. Nothing had hinted at trouble; Emily had a comfortable life. She didnt work, the money flowed in, and her husband earned a decent wage. Emily was whimsical and a bit highmaintenance. Friends often joked that Peter, the truck driver, chose his job just to spend less time at home. Still, he loved her fiercely thats what everyone, including Emily herself, believed. But now her confidence wavered.
On the day Peter returned, Emily tried to guess what hed brought this time.
Reality outdid her imagination. Hed brought an unfamiliar woman named Daphne and insisted shed stay with them. Hed met her somewhere on the motorway. Emily, at thirtyfour, was still young and attractive, while Daphne looked about fifty, unkempt and blunt. Could such a woman really capture her charming husbands attention? After all, she was only ten years his senior, and there are men who prefer older ladies, but not like this.
Hey, are you going to stand there forever? Im starving! Daphne bellowed from the kitchen. Emily set about boiling dumplings. Daphne stayed silent, then Emily placed a plate before her, intending to fetch cabbage rolls for the husband. Didnt catch that. Are you feeding my husband processed meals? And youve piled them on my plate? Daphne raised an eyebrow. Exactly, Emily replied, her eyes full of resentment.
Daphne deliberately opened the window and tossed the dumplings out.
What are you doing? Emily shrieked. The cat will eat them. You, love, go make soup or fry some potatoes! Got it? Daphne said, then sauntered off to the telly.
When Peter got home, Emily dragged him into the kitchen and complained, Kick her out! Why did you bring her? Who is she? She threw the dumplings away! Before she could finish, Daphne reappeared. Peter, why are you putting up with her? You look the pictureperfect husband with a house and money, yet she cant even cook a decent meal. Shes a spoiled brat and a whiner, Daphne sneered. Emily shot back, I live here. Im the lady of the house! Daphne replied coolly, Fine, have it your way.
Later, Peter and Daphne went shopping together. Daphne cooked for herself; Emily had no appetite that day, but the next she managed to eat a hearty borscht and some navalstyle pasta. Cooking had never been Emilys forte nor her passion, but she decided to make up for lost time. She scoured recipes online, failed at first, then gradually got the hang of it. She stopped nagging Peter over every little thing.
Fear crept in: what if Daphne stayed and Emily left? She told no one, not even her mother, though she usually called her about everything. She confided only in her best friend, Kate. Get rid of her! Shes an impostor! I cant imagine if my Sam brought someone home like that, Kate advised. Youre lucky, the flat is yours together, and Sam earns nothing while you keep the family afloat. My Peter is gorgeous, but now everythings gone! Emily sobbed. Kate replied, Thanks for the support, but youve already been dumped. Go back to your Pete and his Daphne!
Life seemed unchanged. Peter still adored his wife, and Emily kept trying to question why hed dragged Daphne into their home and how long shed stay. He refused to discuss it. Daphne found work in a local shop. Then Emily realized how the impostor could surviveby getting pregnant. Shed never wanted children, had told Peter she didnt plan on motherhood; she feared spoiling her figure and had no love for kids.
Now she thought, A baby could force things to work. Friends noticed Emilys transformation. She cooked more, stopped having tantrums, and turned into an almost perfect wife. Soon she announced to Peter that she was expecting. He was thrilled. Its about time! Raise the child well, or youll end up like me, kicked out of the house! Daphne sighed. What do you mean kicked out? Emily asked. I raised my husbands sons as my own. When my own boy Colin died, they threw me out, saying I shouldnt return. I poured my heart into them, Daphne whispered, tears glistening. Emily felt a pang of conscience and said, What happened after that? Daphne replied, Nothing. I started drinking, didnt want to live. One day a driver almost hit me, we talked, he gave me a place. I began to believe good people exist. Youre lucky, Emily, with such a husband! That evening the three of them finally shared a dinner, and Emily no longer wanted to evict Daphne. Daphne smiled, thinking shed managed to reform the troublesome wife.
The next day Peters uncle arrived from the countryside, eyeing Daphne appreciatively. After a weeks stay, he left with Daphne. At our age we must act quickly and not turn down chances. Thanks for the hospitality, she said with a grin. Emily even began to miss her. Life shifted, and Emily herself changed. She gave birth to a daughter and asked Daphne to be the godmother. They now get on like sisters. Every summer Emily heads to the countryside with her child; the fresh air does the little one good, and her husband is constantly amazed at how unrecognisable his wife has become. He credits Daphne for the makeover.
So this tangled knot of fate brought together people who now cant imagine life without each other.
