Too many coincidences
Poppy, hold on a sec! I havent cheated on you, okay? I swear on my health! Or on my mother!
James was racing down the stairs after his wife, shouting at the top of his lungs. He didnt even notice a few nosy neighbours poking their heads out of their doors, watching the drama unfold. He also didnt care that most of the flatmates across the hall were quietly listening through the crack of their doors.
Poppy burst out of the block, jumped into a black cab and was off in a flash. James only managed a lingering glance as she vanished down the street.
It all started three months ago, when Jamess life began sliding downhill. A colleague theyd only ever worked with Emily had gone through a personal catastrophe: a miscarriage and a swift divorce. After months of recovery she returned to the office, but she was a completely different woman.
Listen, I cant take this any longer. Shes been after me for a month calling at night, texting, even showing up at my building a few times, James vented, slamming his hand on the directors desk, his voice edged with irritation.
The director just laughed.
Ah, lovestruck, huh? Happens to the best of us. I dont see anything illegal, he said.
But I didnt do anything! We only ever talked work. Now my marriage is falling apart because of Emily, James shouted, almost pleading.
And what do you want from me? Im fine with Emily as a colleague, but whatevers happening outside work isnt my concern, the director shrugged.
James was on the brink. Hed tried to ignore it, to pretend everything was okay, but the façade cracked. Arguments with Poppy grew, and she started doubting his fidelity. She couldnt believe a stranger could be sending those unmistakable messages, hints, and photos.
Poppy, please, dont start. Ive never cheated on you. Not even thought about it, James begged.
You know how all those texts look like excuses now? Do you think Im a simpleminded fool who cant add two and two? Poppy replied, flat as a board.
Its all Emilys doing. I block her number, she just uses a new one. Shes pulling strings because shes got good numbers, James muttered. What can I do to prove Im clean?
I dont know, James. Honestly, Im fed up. Its been three months, and I cant trust you any more. Too many coincidences, too many Emils in our lives
Stop it! Shes not mine. I dont need her!
I dont know, James. I really dont know
Poppy wondered why she couldnt trust him any longer. Shed once caught him nervously deleting messages. She never saw what they were, but she saw him erasing a few photos.
Then his hours at work stretched longer, he became shorttempered and withdrawn.
Maybe Im just being paranoid? Poppy asked herself.
Emily acted like a seasoned strategist. Once shed been a sweet, quiet woman: married, on maternity leave, then a miscarriage that sent her into the hospital, a divorce that left her reeling. Back at work she pretended to be the same, then slowly began giving James extra attention harmless compliments, casual hallway chats, a smile here and there. James brushed it off: Just a friendly gesture, nothing more.
But Emily soon turned into a fullblown storm, tearing down the trust James and Poppy had built over years.
James and Poppy started randomly bumping into Emily at the local supermarket, even though she lived in a different borough. She joined the same gym James attended, and kept slipping into his phone calls with odd lines like, Youre as cute as a kitten or Ive made you a coffee, why arent you coming over?
One day Emily arranged a coincidental meetup at James and Poppys block.
James, could you help? My friend lives next door and isnt picking up. Ive only got two percent battery, cant flag a cab. Are you home? Please come down, I really need you, she purred from a new number.
Poppy shrugged she wasnt about to leave a stranger stranded at night, even if she trusted her husband. She watched from the window as Emily ran straight to James as he stepped out of the lift, clinging to his neck. That was the last straw.
Later that night James got a text: Thanks for coming, otherwise shed be watching you. Ill be a halfhour late tomorrow as we said.
James you were supposed to be at a mates tomorrow, Poppy whispered, stunned.
She finally typed a reply: Talk in the morning. Im asleep. Ill call you.
Emily shot back instantly: Got it. Cant wait for your call. You know Im always here!
Poppy sat frozen, heart pounding. At dawn she decided to stay with her sister for a while, to think things through far from James and the meddling Emily.
James woke to the jangle of keys. His phone was on the pillow. Something felt off, so he leapt out of bed, raced to the front door, tried to stop Poppy from leaving, then fled back inside, flailing like a cornered animal. The whole scene had become absurd.
Poppy ignored his calls. Her sister asked James not to pester his wife.
Days dragged on. James felt lost. He knew he had to do something, prove his innocence, win back his wifes trust.
A week later he finally mustered the courage. He called Poppys sister and asked for a meeting with Poppy.
Poppy, please, give me one chance. I know you dont believe me, but I have something that could change everything. After this meeting youll decide whether we stay or part for good, he pleaded.
After a long backandforth, Poppy agreed.
They drove in silence. James kept his eyes on the road, glancing sideways at Poppy now and then. She tried to read the twilight outside.
Poppy, I need to ask you something, James said, pulling up in front of an ordinary terraced house. I want to blindfold you. Well take a short walk. Trust me, please.
She looked unsure but obeyed. James guided her gently, his arm around her elbow. Inside a building, a whiff of fresh paint hit her nose.
Are we at a construction site? she asked, a little tense.
Not exactly
James lifted the blindfold. Dim light revealed an old school sports hall the very place where their story began.
In the centre, on a bench, lay a bouquet of white lilies. Poppy froze.
Poppy, do you know the moment I realised Id fallen for you? James began.
She stayed silent, eyes on the high ceiling.
It wasnt when we first met at the graduation party.
When then? she asked abruptly.
I moved to this school in Year Ten, remember? Id missed a few days and was tossed straight into P.E. I walked in not knowing anyone. In that corner, I saw you sitting after volleyball, hair in a bun, curls damp from the gym. You were laughing, and it was contagious. Thats when I knew Id love you forever.
Jamess voice trembled as he spoke, and Poppy felt tears well up. She didnt recall the memory, but hearing him recount every detail after all these years melted something inside her.
He told her how terrified hed been, how hed gathered courage over months before finally asking her out, and how every day he thanked fate for leading him to that school, that hall.
Ive never betrayed you, James whispered, taking her hands. All this time Ive only ever been yours
A single tear rolled down Poppys cheek. She looked up at James and saw the same honesty that had drawn her years ago.
Id give anything quit my job, get Emily out of work, move towns, even abroad just to have you believe I never cheated, she said.
They stood in that old hall, where their love first sparked, realizing that genuine love cant be shattered, no matter what storm or jealous rival tries to break it.
