Emily places a plate of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table and sits opposite Jack. Sunlight streams through the curtains, tinting everything a soft gold. She props her chin with a hand and smiles.
Jack looks up from his phone.
So, whats she like? What grabbed you about her?
Shes amazing! Emily brightens. We chatted yesterday and discovered we share so much. She loves rock climbing, goes to the same gym I used to frequent, and reads the same books. Its like shes a mirror of me, even down to the office jokes.
Jack chuckles and reaches for his coffee.
Thats great. Youve needed a work friend for ages.
Exactly! Emily lifts her fork but doesnt eat, wanting to keep the conversation going. She also loves hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. She tells everything so honestly, without any pretence.
Jack nods, taking a bite of toast.
Sounds perfect. Think you could introduce us?
Of course! Lets have dinner this weekend. Ill cook something tasty and we can all chat.
Lets do it, Jack agrees easily. Why not?
Emily gives a pleased nod and turns back to the omelette. Inside, everything feels bright. She has a job she loves, a wonderful boyfriend of three years, and now a new friend who fits right in. Life seems almost perfect.
Two weeks later Emily hosts the dinner at her flat. She scrubs the flat until it shines and prepares Jacks favouriteroast chicken with rosemary. Grace arrives with a bunch of tulips and a cake.
Emily, this place feels so cosy! Grace exclaims, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Emily laughs and takes the flowers.
Thanks. Jack, this is Grace. Grace, this is Jack.
Jack extends his hand and smiles.
Pleasure. Emily has told me so much about you that I feel like Ive known you a century.
Likewise, Grace shakes his hand. Shes always talking about you, saying youre the most patient person on Earth.
I have to be, Jack winks at Emily. With a lively girl like you, patience is a must.
The evening goes wonderfully. Jack and Grace quickly find common ground, discovering a shared love of classic films and 70s rock. They argue playfully over which movie is better, recalling favourite scenes.
Emily sits between them, smiling. Her two favourite people are getting along. What could be better?
After that night they start meeting as a triogoing to the cinema, art exhibitions, weekend hikes. Jack even suggests inviting Grace more often, saying he never gets bored with her.
Emily is simply happy.
Gradually, though, she notices odd changes. Jack starts staying later at work, something he never did before. He texts her less during the day and calls only rarely. When Emily brings up future plansbuying a house, weddingJacks replies become short and evasive, as if the subject weighs on him.
Grace also seems distant. Occasionally Emily catches Grace watching her with a quick, evaluating glance, as if wanting to say something but holding back, then she smiles and changes the subject.
One evening Emily sits in the livingroom while Jack cooks in the kitchen. His phone lies on the table beside her. The screen lights up with a message. Emily instinctively glances at it. Its from Grace, timestamp just before midnight: Thanks for today.
Emilys heart tightens. She puts the phone down and stares at the wall. What does it mean? When did they meet today? Jack said he was stuck at work.
She pushes the thoughts aside, telling herself theyre just friends, that shes being paranoid. Still, a sour taste lingers.
In March the three of them drive to a cabin in the Lake District, a trip theyve been planning for months. Emily looks forward to weekends in nature, forest walks, evenings by the fire. Grace jumps at the idea, and Jack backs her up. They rent a lakeside cottage, bring tents and climbing gear.
From the first day the atmosphere feels off. Emily watches Jack and Grace exchange glances, notice how they fall silent whenever she enters the room. On the second day she rests after a climb while they wander alone along the lake. Jack explains they were just showing Grace a hidden chapel the local ranger mentioned.
Emily nods, but something twists inside her.
On the final night both sit by the fire, faces tense, eyes avoiding hers. Emily tries to get them talking, but they answer in monosyllables.
That night Emily lies awake, convinced something has broken beyond repair.
A week after they return, Jack texts: Emily, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
Emily is at work, staring at her screen, a knot of dread forming in her stomach.
At five she arrives at the café. Jack is already at a window table, Grace beside him. Emily pauses at the doorway, briefly considers turning back, but her feet carry her to the table. She sits, coat still on.
Whats happening? she asks, looking between them.
Both wear guilty expressions. Jack fidgets with a napkin, tearing it into pieces. Finally he looks up.
Emily, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Emily clamps her hands under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realised that we fell for each other. Jack says quietly. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Graces eyes fill with tears, mascara running down her cheeks.
Emily, Im sorry. I didnt mean to hurt you. Youre my best friend. But this this is stronger than us.
Grace reaches out.
Emily pulls her hand back. Anger, betrayal, hurt swirl into a knot in her throat.
Stronger than us? Emily asks, turning to both. You were behind my back while I was planning weddings, kids, a future together? How could you both live with yourselves? What did I do to deserve this?
Emily, we didnt want Jack starts.
Didnt want? Emily raises her voice. A few other patrons glance over, but she doesnt care. You were meeting behind my back! Texting each other at night! And now you act like it wasnt deliberate? This is betrayal, Jack. The worst thing you could do to me.
I know, Jack says, staring at the table. I know Ive been cruel. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Emily turns to Grace. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Grace sobs, covering her face with her hands.
Im sorry. I never imagined it would turn out like this. We just talked, spent time together, and then it became more than friendship.
Emily stands. The chair screeches as it slides back. She grabs her bag and looks at them one last time.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She walks out of the café without looking back. The street is cold, tears streaming down her cheeks, unblinking. She walks straight to the tube station.
The next day Emily submits a transfer request to the Manchester branch of her company. Her manager is surprised but doesnt pry. Shes valued, and the transfer is approved quickly.
Grace tries callingEmily blocks the number. Jack sends a few messagesshe deletes them unread. Jack collects his things while shes out, leaving her apartment empty. Emily stands in the empty room, staring at where his shoes once sat.
Two weeks later Emily is already in Manchester. She moves into a flat, unpacks, and tells her parents shes starting fresh, away from any reminder of Jack and Grace.
The first months are tough. Emily returns to rock climbing, now on her own. It helps her steady her thoughts.
One day a mutual friend from London messages her: Jack and Grace have moved in together. Been living as a couple for two months now.
Emily reads it and switches off her phone.
The pain doesnt vanish, but it dulls. She no longer cries at night or replays their last meeting in her head. She simply keeps moving, day by day.
Emily hasnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; shes lost faith in peoples honesty, in the idea that friendship can be pure, that love can stay faithful.
She decides to rebuild her life, this time more guarded about who she lets in.
The ache will linger for a long time, but Emily knows shell get through itshe has no other choice.
