Hey love, you wont believe the drama that unfolded last night. Mark was standing in the middle of the kitchen, phone in hand, his face bright red with fury.
Did you tell my mum Im a terrible husband? he demanded.
Sarah turned away from the hob where shed been frying meatballs. A stray drop of oil splattered on the linoleum and hissed.
What? What are you on about?
My mum just called. She says she knows everything about us that I dont appreciate you, that I act like a child, that shes got it all figured out.
Mark, I havent said a word to your mum. We havent even spoken in a week.
Then how does she know about our argument over the fishing trip? I only mentioned that yesterday!
Sarah switched off the hob and wiped her hands on a towel, her heart pounding. She hadnt told anyone about the fishing row except
I was messaging Emily, she said slowly. Only Emily, in that chat.
So now Emilys spilling the beans to my mum?
No way. Emilys my best mate, shed never
The phone rang. It was her motherinlaw. Sarah glanced at Mark, who gave a small nod.
Hello, Evelyn?
Sarah, I need to have a serious word with you. Can you come over today?
Whats happened?
Its better to discuss in person. Its important very important.
Sarah agreed, hung up, and felt her hands tremble. How on earth had Evelyn found out what shed written to Emily?
Ill go see her, she told Mark. We need to sort this out.
Mark nodded, looking crestfallen. Theyd been together five years, a solid relationship with hardly any big fights. But Evelyn had always been a thorn bossy, convinced she knew what was best for her son, and never let anyone else have a say. Sarah tried to keep the peace, but every now and then she let something slip, and those moments she confided in Emily, the university friend shed known since Freshers.
Emily was the only person Sarah could vent to about Evelyn, about Mark, about life in general. Theyd been friends for fifteen years, shared exams, first crushes, even acted as each others bridesmaid. Emily knew everything literally everything.
And now, somehow, that private chatter ended up with Evelyn.
Sarah dressed quickly and drove to Evelyns flat. Evelyn lived a short drive away, in an old threebedroom council flat in the same neighbourhood where Mark grew up. A widower for ten years, shed devoted her life to her son and felt entitled to oversee his every move.
Evelyn opened the door, her expression stern and impenetrable.
Come in. Want a cuppa?
No, thanks. Evelyn, whats happened?
She led Sarah into the sitting room and sank into her favourite armchair. Sarah stayed standing, feeling the weight of the room.
Sit down, dont just stand there like a lamppost, Evelyn said, gesturing to the edge of the sofa. She gave Sarah a long, heavy stare.
You know, Ive always felt you werent entirely honest with me. You smile, you nod, but behind my back you say all sorts of things.
Im not sure what you mean.
Take a look, Evelyn said, handing over her phone.
On the screen was the chat between Sarah and Emily. Sarah recognised her own words, scrolling down as the conversation went on and on. It was all there complaints about Evelyn always meddling, irritation at her calling ten times a day, grumbling about the meals Sarah made.
Where did you get this? Sarah whispered.
Emily dropped by yesterday. She wanted to meet you, we had tea, and she sort of showed me some photos. Then she handed me the phone and I saw the messages. She said she wanted me to know the truth about how you really feel about me.
Sarah felt her face go cold. Emily her best friend why would she do that?
This is private, Sarah protested. Everyone needs a place to vent. It doesnt mean I dont respect you.
Respect? Not a chance. Look at this! Youre an old nag, youre suffocating us with your control. You should just move to the countryside and stop meddling. Mark is Mums boy, too scared to say no.
I was angry when I wrote it. Everyone has moments of weakness.
Moments of weakness? Look at the hundreds of messages over the years! Youve hated me all this time and pretended to be sweet.
Sarah stood, teeth clenched.
I never hated you. I just got fed up with the pressure and needed to unload somewhere.
Evelyn rose too, furious. Ill show this to everyone I know. Let them see the real you.
What?
Youll feel what its like to be humiliated.
Sarah snatched her bag and bolted out of the flat, stumbling down the stairs, tears blurring her vision. She fumbled with the car keys; her hands shook so hard the key kept slipping.
Emily. How could she? Why?
She dialled Emilys number. The line rang forever before finally connecting.
Hey, Sarah! Hows it going?
How could you?
What do you mean? Whats happening?
Dont play dumb! You showed my mum the chat!
Emily was silent for a beat.
Yeah I sort of did that. It was accidental.
Accidental? You went over to her on purpose!
I just wanted to meet Marks mum, thats all. We chatted, I showed her some pictures from my phone and the chat popped up. I didnt mean to
Dont lie to me! Why would you do that?
Emily sighed. You know, Sarah, Im tired of being your sounding board. Fifteen years youve been venting about everyone parents, tutors, bosses, now even your mum and husband. Ive had enough.
If you were fed up, you could have just said so! Why resort to this petty stunt?
Petty? I was just giving her the truth. Evelyn has a right to know what I think of her.
Weve been friends for fifteen years!
We were, until now. I dont want to keep dealing with someone who only whines and never changes.
Emily hung up. Sarah sat in the car, staring at the dead screen, feeling the world crumble. Her husband eventually started the engine and they drove home.
Mark met her at the front door.
So?
Emily showed her the chat. On purpose.
Why?
I dont know. She said she was tired of being my crying pillow.
Mark pulled her into a hug. She buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing.
Itll be okay, he whispered. Well sort this out.
My mum showed the messages to all her friends. Now everyone knows what I wrote.
What exactly?
Sarah looked away. Just that your mums a pain, that you sometimes act like a child, that Im struggling.
Mark frowned. So youve been venting about me to Emily for years?
Not years, just when things got tough.
And what did you say?
Mark, nows not the time.
No, it is. I want to know what youve been saying behind my back.
Sarah slumped onto the sofa, her head throbbing. Mark sat opposite her.
What? Im waiting.
I wrote that youre too attached to your mum, that youre scared to argue with her. I wrote that when she shows up you become a different person.
Different how?
You start agreeing with her on everything, even when wed already decided together. Remember the bedroom wallpaper? We picked a pattern, then she called it tasteless and you went along. We ended up with her choice.
Mark stayed silent.
Or the dads birthday we wanted to attend. She said it was her own birthday that day, so we had to be with her. You didnt even try to reschedule.
That birthday cant be moved, Mark said.
It could have been! My dad was turning sixty, that was important!
My mums needs come first.
Sarah stared at him. See? Thats exactly what you just said. And now youre angry I mentioned it to Emily.
To my exfriend, apparently.
Yes, exfriend.
They sat in uneasy silence as night fell. The meatballs on the hob had long since hardened.
Sarahs phone rang again. An unknown number.
Hello?
This is Laura Bennett, a friend of Evelyns. She showed me your messages.
Sarahs eyes widened.
And?
I just wanted to say youre right. Evelyn is way too overbearing, always meddling. Ive known her for thirty years shes a real nightmare. Youre not doing anything wrong by venting.
Thanks, Sarah managed.
And your friend Emily? That was nasty. Id cut ties if I were you.
I wont.
Good. Take care of yourself, love.
The line clicked off. Sarah looked at Mark.
Evelyns friend called. Said Im justified.
Mark raised an eyebrow. Laura? Weird. Shes always been on my mums side.
Seems even her friends think shes over the line.
More calls followed that night neighbours, distant relatives, people taking sides. Some blamed Sarah, others defended her. One lady even called Evelyn a selfish old hag, another said shed suffered enough from inlaws herself.
Turn the phone off, Mark suggested. Well deal with this tomorrow.
She did. They ate a quiet dinner, then went to bed, but sleep refused them. Sarah lay awake, replaying everything.
The next morning, Sarah woke with puffy eyes. Mark was already at the kitchen, making tea.
Morning. Howd you sleep?
Terrible.
Listen, maybe we should meet Emily and clear the air? Find out why she did it.
I have nothing to say to her.
But fifteen years of friendship doesnt just vanish.
Its her fault, not mine.
Mark sipped his tea. I called my mum. Told her she was wrong to broadcast the messages.
Whatd she say?
She said shed acted out of hurt, that she was protecting herself.
Exactly. I shouldve never written those things.
Maybe you shouldnt have written them at all.
She snapped at him. What are you saying?
I mean, talking badly about people can bite you back. Sooner or later it surfaces.
So Im to blame?
No, I just meant be careful.
Because my friend betrayed me, my mum publicly shamed me, and youre blaming me?
Im just pointing out that private chats arent riskfree.
I have a right to vent!
Yes, but the fallout matters too.
Sarah stormed to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, trying to calm down. The door knocked. She peeked; it was Emily.
Dont open, Mark warned, moving toward the door.
Im not opening.
Sarah, open up! I need to talk! Emily pounded.
Go away. Ive got nothing for you.
Please, I want to explain!
Its too late.
Emilys voice softened. I thought if Evelyn saw how I really felt about her, shed back off. I thought it would help.
Sarah opened the door. Emily stood there, pale, eyes red.
You really thought that would work?
I wanted to help. Youve been venting for years, I was fed up. I thought the truth would change her.
People like Evelyn never change. They only get worse when you poke them.
I didnt think it through. Im sorry.
Mark stepped in. Emily, why did you tell Sarah you were tired of being a crying pillow? Why did you say you didnt want to talk to her anymore?
Emily looked down. I was angry. You yelled at me, blamed me. I lost my temper.
Do you actually feel that?
Sarah asked, Do you think Im just a whiner who never changes?
Sometimes, yes. But that doesnt mean I cant be friends.
Sarah stared at her old mate, seeing the shame and confusion. Fifteen years of friendship hanging by a thread.
I cant talk right now, Sarah said. I need time.
How long?
I dont know. Maybe a week, maybe a month, maybe never.
Sarah
Leave, please.
Emily nodded and left. Sarah shut the door, leaned against it, and Mark wrapped his arms around her.
Im sorry for what I said earlier. It wasnt you it was Emily and my mum.
Thanks.
They stood there, hugging in the hallway. Then Mark said, I want to apologise too. Ive always sided with my mum. Im scared to push back because I dont want a fight. But thats wrong. Youre my wife, I should protect you, not her.
Sarah looked him in the eye. Really?
Really. From now on things will be different. I promise.
He drove to his mums flat, came back two hours later, exhausted but hopeful.
We talked. I told her showing private messages to everyone was low. If she wants to keep seeing us, she needs to respect our boundaries.
What did she say?
She shouted, then cried, then finally admitted shed overstepped. She said shed apologise to you.
Seriously?
Yeah. Im not sure shell follow through, but at least she tried.
That evening Evelyn called. Her voice was tight.
Sarah, I rushed showing you the chat. I shouldnt have.
Rushed?
Yes. I was hurt and angry. Mark explained that everyone deserves privacy. I was wrong.
Thank you for understanding.
Just I want you to know it hurt reading what you wrote. Ive always tried to be a good motherinlaw.
Sarah held back a retort. Lets make a deal. Ill try to be more open with you, tell you whats bothering me, and youll try not to stick your nose where youre not invited. Deal?
There was a pause.
Deal, Evelyn whispered.
They hung up. Sarah turned to Mark.
Looks like weve got a truce.
Good job, love.
A week passed. Emily kept texting, apologising, asking to meet, promising never to do that again. Sarah didnt reply she needed space to sort her feelings.
She saw a therapist, a kind woman in her sixties with soft eyes, who listened patiently.
You have the right not to forgive, she said. But think about what holding onto the anger does to you. Forgiveness isnt for them, its for you to let go of the burden. You can forgive without rekindling the friendship, or you can set new boundaries.
Sarah mulled it over. The resentment was eating her alive. She finally wrote to Emily, arranging a coffee at the local café.
Emily arrived early, nervous, waiting at the table. When Sarah walked in, Emily jumped up but didnt sit down. They ordered coffee.
Thanks for meeting, Emily began.
I needed to talk, Sarah replied. Honestly, you hurt me.
I thought I was helping. I guessed that if Evelyn knew how you felt, shed back off. It was naive.
It was cruel. You broke my trust.
I was angry, I didnt think. I shouldve told you I was fed up instead of this.
Why didnt you say that before?
I didnt want to hurt you. You were always venting, and I thought youd understand.
Ventting is fine, but honesty is vital. If something bothers you, say it.
Emily nodded. I get it now. I wont keep silent.
Sarah sipped her bitter coffee. I dont know if well ever be the same. Trust takes ages to rebuild.
Ill wait as long as it takes, Emily said.
They chatted about the weather, work, the news light, easy, no tension. Maybe, with time, things could mend.
When Sarah got home, Mark was waiting with a bunch of roses.
Why the flowers? she asked, surprised.
Just because Im proud of you for facing Emily. Youre brave.
Im not sure well ever be friends again, but at least I tried.
Try is all that matters. Fifteen years is a lot.
The next day Evelyn called, suggesting they meet for tea at the same café where Sarahd spoken with Emily. She turned up in a smart coat, hair neatly done.
You look lovely, Evelyn said.
Thanks, you too, Sarah replied.
They ordered tea and scones. After a long pause, Evelyn spoke.
Sarah, I want a fresh start. I realise I was too controlling, too nosy. After Marks son died, I was scared of being alone. I clung to you both. I was selfish.
Sarah saw tears in Evelyns eyes the first time shed shown vulnerability.
I was wrong too, Sarah said. I shouldve talked to you directly instead of venting to Emily. Im sorry.
I forgive you, Evelyn answered. And I hope you can forgive me.
They finished their tea, talked about weekend plans, the garden renovation Evelyn was planning, and laughed a bit. It felt human, ordinary.
That evening Sarah lingered on the balcony with a glass of wine. Mark joined her, draped an arm over her shoulders.
Whats on your mind?
Lifes weird, isnt it? Things collapse so we can rebuild stronger.
You mean the mum thing and EmilyYou mean the mum thing and Emily, and how it all taught us to value honesty above all.
