**Diary Entry 12th March**
*”I hope you’re ready for life without him,”* Emma said as she drove off to meet my husband.
*”Did you see the queue at the doctors surgery?”* Charlotte shook the rain off her umbrella and hung her coat on the hook in the hallway. *”I sat there for three hours before finally seeing the GP.”*
*”Come in, come in,”* I said, filling the kettle and pulling out a tin of biscuits. *”What did the doctor say?”*
*”Nothing new. Blood pressures all over the placeneeds regular tablets. No joking at our age, Olivia.”*
Wed known each other for over thirty years, ever since wed met pushing prams in the park. Our sons grew up togethersame nursery, same school. Our families were close, celebrating holidays, even taking summer trips to the Lake District.
*”Something odd happened yesterday,”* I said, setting down two mugs. *”I was coming back from Tesco when I saw Simonarm in arm with some young woman. I spotted them from a distance, but he didnt see me.”*
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
*”Maybe a colleague? Discussing work?”*
*”On a Sunday? And they werent acting professional, Ill tell you that. Laughing, huggingshe was practically glued to him. At first, I thought I mustve imagined it.”*
*”And then?”*
*”Then I got a proper look. Definitely Simon. Wearing that new jacket I bought him for his birthday.”*
Charlotte poured the tea, stirring in sugar absently.
*”Liv, havent you noticed somethings been off between you two? Simons been different lately.”*
*”Different how?”*
*”I dont know. He used to join us for barbecues, weekends away. Now hes always got an excusework, tiredness, something else.”*
I frowned. She was right. Hed been distanteither staying home or vanishing on his own errands.
*”Maybe its his age,”* I offered weakly. *”Hes nearly fifty-five.”*
*”Or the oppositea midlife crisis,”* Charlotte suggested carefully. *”You know how men can get. Panic about youth slipping away, start acting recklessly.”*
I set my cup down with a clink.
*”What are you implying, Charlie?”*
*”Nothing specific. Just thinking aloud.”*
But I knew she was holding back. There was something in her eyesfamiliar, but I couldnt place it.
*”At least Daniels grown now, living his own life,”* she continued. *”Imagine the damage if his dad suddenly walked out.”*
*”Charlotte!”* I slammed my cup down. *”What are you talking about? We were just discussing Simon with some woman! Maybe she was asking for directions!”*
*”Of course, of course,”* she said quickly. *”Just speculating.”*
We finished our tea, chatting about rising grocery prices, the miserable weather, the neighbours. As she left, she turned suddenly.
*”Liv, have you mentioned that encounter to Simon?”*
*”No. Why?”*
*”Just curious what hed say.”*
After she left, I paced the house, restless. Her words stuck like a splinter. Was Simon really having an affair?
He came home for dinner as usualkissed me, washed his hands, sat down. Nothing out of the ordinary.
*”How was your day?”* he asked, serving himself roast potatoes.
*”Fine. Charlotte popped roundshes been to the doctor.”*
*”Oh? Whats wrong?”*
*”Blood pressure. Needs tablets.”*
Simon nodded and focused on his meal. I studied him, debating whether to bring up what Id seen.
*”Si, where were you yesterday?”* I finally asked.
*”Yesterday?”* He looked up. *”Went shopping. Needed new shoes.”*
*”And after?”*
*”Came home. Why?”*
*”Just wondering. I thought I saw you near the high street.”*
Simon didnt flinch.
*”Yeah, thats where I was. Didnt find anything decent.”*
*”Who were you with?”*
*”With? No one. I was alone.”*
I searched his face. Could he lie so calmly? Or had I mistaken someone else for him?
That night, I barely slept, listening to his steady breathing. Everything seemed normal.
The next morning, Simon left early for an important meeting. I was tidying up when Charlotte called.
*”Liv, can I come over? Need to talk.”*
*”Of course.”*
She arrived quicklyflustered, clutching a folder.
*”Sit down,”* I said. *”Ill put the kettle on.”*
*”No tea. Justlisten. This is serious.”*
My stomach dropped. Her tone was all wrong.
*”Look, this is hard to say,”* she began, crumpling the papers. *”But as your friend, I have to tell you the truth.”*
*”What truth?”*
*”About Simon. Hes having an affair.”*
The room spun.
*”How do you know?”*
*”Sarah Wilkinsremember her? Works at his firm. Shes seen them togetherhim and the new receptionist.”*
She handed me printed photos. There was Simon, grinning, arms around a pretty young woman with long hair.
*”Where did you get these?”* I whispered.
*”Sarah took them. Wanted you to know.”*
I stared, numb. Twenty-eight years of marriageand this.
*”What do I do?”*
*”I dont know, Liv. Its your call. But I couldnt keep it from you.”*
She stood by the window.
*”Maybe its for the best? Youre still young, gorgeous. Could meet someone better.”*
*”For the best? Were a family! We have a son, a home, a life!”*
*”What kind of family if hes cheating?”* she snapped. *”Wake up, Olivia! He doesnt love youor he wouldnt be sniffing around some girl!”*
Her voice was too sharp, too eager.
*”Charlie why do you care so much?”*
*”Because youre my best friend! It kills me seeing you lied to!”*
But something felt off. Then I noticednew haircut, manicure, a silk blouse shed never afford on her retail salary.
*”Nice top,”* I said. *”New?”*
*”Ohyes. Got it on sale.”*
*”Where?”*
*”Just a shop in town.”*
I nodded, pushing the photos aside.
*”Ill talk to Simon first. Get the truth.”*
*”Good idea. Just dont wait too long.”*
After she left, I rang our son.
*”Daniel, does your dads office have receptionists?”*
*”In accounting? No, just old Mr. Harris and Brenda. Why?”*
My pulse quickened. If Simons department had no young womenwho was in the photos?
Later, I waited outside his office. He walked out alone, tired, boarding the bus with no one.
At home, I examined the photos under a lamp. The mans nose was wrong, his eyes different. They werent Simon.
So why had Charlotte lied?
That evening, I checked Simons phone. Messages from Charlottefrequent, casual, but with an edge.
*”Simon, hows work?”*
*”Dont forget your pills.”*
*”Fancy a coffee?”*
Then todays: *”Hope youre ready for life without her.”*
Simon had replied: *”Ive made my decision. Ill talk to Olivia tomorrow.”*
My hands shook. He was leaving mefor her.
When Simon came to bed, I pretended to sleep.
Next morning, he hesitated before leaving.
*”Liv, we need to talk tonight.”*
*”About what?”*
*”Later.”*
As soon as he left, I called Charlotte.
*”Come over. Ive got something to show you.”*
She arrived, tense. I slid the printed messages across the table.
Her face paled. *”Its not what you think”*
*”Then what is it?”*
*”Were just friends! I was trying to help!”*
*”Help destroy my marriage?”*
She burst into tears. *”I love him! Ive loved him for years! Hes only staying with you out of habit!”*
*”So you faked those photos?”*
*”No! I thought it was him!”*
*”Liar. You knew. You wanted me to
