“What are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”
“Its over, Emily. I want a real familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce. You have three days to pack. Call me when youre gone. Ill stay at my mums for now. Hurry upI need to get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. Yes, dont look so shocked. My future wife is already expecting!”
Emily said nothing. What could she say?
Children had never happened for her. Michael had waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time.
The countless doctors shed seen all said she was healthy. So why did it never work?
Shed always lived right, done everything properly.
This time, shed felt unwell at work, called an ambulancebut it all happened too fast
The door slammed behind Michael, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa.
She had no energy to pack. No desire, either. And where would she even go?
Before marriage, shed lived with her aunt. Her aunt was gone now, and her cousin had sold the flat. Back to the village, to her grans old cottage? Search for a rented place? What about her job?
Too many questions, and she had to decide quickly
Early the next morning, the door opened. Her mother-in-law walked in.
“Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”
“Your sons old pants arent exactly on my list. Shall I count my socks for you too?”
“Look at you, all mouthy now! So polite before, so quiet. And see how its all turned out. I told Mike after the first timeyoud never give him a child.”
“Did you come just to say that? Better sit quietly and watch, then.”
“Why are you taking the china?!”
“Its mine. Left to me by my aunt. A memory of her.”
“And now itll be empty without it!”
“Not my problem. At least youll have a grandson.”
“Take only whats yours!”
“The laptops mine. The coffee machine, the microwavegifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have kids!”
“Thats none of your business. Maybe it was Gods plan.”
“You dont even seem sorry! Maybe you did it on purpose?”
“Dont be absurd. Its painful even to think about.”
Emily scanned the flat. Her things were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers
Had she missed something? Her mother-in-laws glare made it hard to focus.
Then she rememberedthe old figurine, the cat. A little secret inside, one shed never told anyone, not even Michael. Inside the cata set: earrings and a ring. Not valuable, but precious as her grans keepsake. Mike had always called it junk. Had he thrown it out?
She hurried to the balconyhis dumping ground for things he didnt want.
“Whats out there? Pack and go!” Her mother-in-laws voice again. “Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”
Finally, she found the cat. Everything still inside. Time to leave.
“Here are the keys. Goodbye. I hope we never meet again.”
She drove to the office. Still on sick leave, she requested holiday instead.
“Were all sorry, but how will we manage? Three weeks enough? Just stay in touchhalf our projects rely on you.”
“Fine. I could use the distraction. Thanks.”
“Need any help?”
“No.”
“Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”
“Thanks. Thatll help.”
She didnt even look for a flat. She drove hometo the village.
No one waited for her there. Her gran had passed three years ago. Shed never known her motherlost in childbirth.
And now, somehow, Emily couldnt have a child of her own
An hour later, she arrived. The apple tree. The tulips.
Last time shed been here with Michael, autumn leaves crunching underfoot, barbecue smoke in the air.
She pulled into the drive. The garage door key was inside the house.
She opened the door. Silence. Dirty cups and plates on the table. Had she left it like this?
Noshed cleaned. Someone had been here.
Two mugs. Plates. Juice cartons. Bottles of Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
So hed been here. With whom?
It didnt matter. Not anymore.
Only she had a key. He must have made a copy. Time to change the locks.
A new life. Cleaning first, then a hot bath.
She wanted to wash it all awaythe past, the grime.
As she stepped out, a knock at the door. Then at the window.
“Whos there?”
“Everything alright?”
A mans voice. She stepped outside. A stranger stood by the gate.
“Sorry if I scared you. Im your neighbour. Saw the smoke from the chimneythought something might be wrong.”
“Thanks, Im fine.”
“Related to Michael? He was here with his wife recently Sister?”
“Ex-wife. Almost ex. Its in progress.”
“And the houseyours?”
“Mine.”
“Im just staying next door. Friends place. Divorce pending. Free tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything. Im Ian.”
“Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”
“Sure. Tell me when.”
“As soon as possible.”
Two weeks passed. One more week of holiday before the city called. Emily had settled inno desire to hunt for a flat. Michael never called. Just a message with the divorce date. Better this way. She didnt want to see him.
Saturday. Always an early riser. Ian invited her for a walk by the lake.
Not looking for romance, but a stroll wouldnt hurt. They returned for lunchand found Michaels car outside. Freshly parked.
The door opened. Out stepped Michael, then his pregnant wife.
Emily and Ian reached the gate just as Michael tried the front door. Locked.
“Whats this?”
“What are you doing here? Breaking into someone elses house?”
Michael froze.
“This is our house!” the woman shrilled.
“Really? Did Mike tell you that? This is my house. Leave.”
“Mike! Who is she?! Your ex?! Get rid of her!”
Emily and Ian laughed. Michael wordlessly ushered his wife back into the car. They drove off.
“Fun life hes got ahead.”
“At least shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries. Sorry.”
“My divorcebecause my wife didnt want kids”
Four years later. A chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at the supermarket.
“Emily? Hardly recognise you. Been watching you. Youre glowing. Pregnant?”
“Yes.” She touched her belly.
“Mikes not well. The boyweak. Something wrong on his side. His wife left, dumped the child on us. And youdoing this alone?”
“Not alone. Ive got a family waiting.”
“Oh? Im sorry for everything”
“Good luck.”
Her ex-mother-in-law watched as Emily walked away. Ian beside her, one hand steadying her, the other holding a little girlthe very image of her mother.
