Dear Diary,
We never meant for this to happen it just fell into place.
Max, guess what? Weve got a new recruit in the department Poppy. Shes brilliant! Emma announced as she set a plate of scrambled eggs on the table and slid into the chair opposite me. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a warm buttery glow. She propped her chin on her hand and smiled.
I snapped my phone shut.
Brilliant? Whats got you so taken? I asked.
Everyone! Emmas eyes lit up. We chatted yesterday and discovered we have a ton in common. She loves rock climbing, goes to the same gym I used to frequent, and reads the same books. Its like they cloned me and lodged her in the office.
I laughed, reached for my coffee, and said, Thats great. Youve needed a work mate for ages.
Exactly! Emma lifted her fork, but didnt eat. She wanted to keep talking. Shes also crazy about hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. Shes so genuine, no pretense at all.
I nodded, taking a bite of toast. Sounds perfect. Can you introduce us?
Sure thing. How about a dinner this weekend? Ill cook, well have a proper catchup.
Why not, I replied, easy as ever.
Emma beamed and turned back to her omelette. Inside, I felt a surge of contentment. I had a job I loved, a wonderful partner Id been with for three years, and now a new friend who fit right in. Life seemed almost flawless.
Two weeks later Emma hosted the dinner at her flat in Shoreditch. Shed scrubbed every surface until it sparkled and prepared my favourite roast chicken with rosemary. Poppy arrived bearing a bouquet of tulips and a slice of carrot cake.
Emma, this place feels so cosy! Poppy exclaimed, looking around. I could live here forever.
Emma laughed and took the flowers. Max, this is Poppy. Poppy, meet Max.
Maxwell Bennett extended his hand, smiling. A pleasure. Emma has spoken about you so much I feel Ive known you a lifetime.
The feelings mutual, Poppy replied, shaking my hand. She says youre the most patient person on the planet.
I have to be, I winked at Emma. You cant survive with an active girl without a bit of patience.
The evening went beautifully. Poppy and I discovered a shared love of classic cinema and 70s rock. We volleyed favourite film titles back and forth, debating which was superior. Emma sat between us, radiating happiness as her two favourite people hit it off. What could be better?
After that night we started meeting as a trio movies, gallery openings, weekend hikes. I even suggested we invite Poppy more often, because nothing dull ever happened with her around.
Emma was thrilled.
But gradually I noticed odd little changes. I began staying later at work, something Id never done before. My texts to Emma grew sparser, my calls less frequent. When she tried to discuss future plans buying a house, wedding, kids my replies were curt, almost evasive, as if the topics weighed me down.
Poppy too seemed different. Occasionally her gaze would linger on me, quick and evaluative, as if she wanted to say something but held back, then shed flash a smile and change the subject.
One evening I was in the living room while Emma cooked in the kitchen. Maxs phone sat on the table beside her. The screen lit up with a new message. She glanced at it reflexively. Poppy. Time almost midnight. The text read simply: Thanks for today.
Emmas heart sank. She set the phone down, stared at the wall, feeling a knot tighten in her chest. What does it mean? When did they meet today? Max said he was stuck at work. She tried to push the thought away, convincing herself it was just a friendly catchup, that they were merely colleagues. Yet a sour taste lingered.
In March the three of us drove up to the Lake District for a weekend at a cosy cabin by the lake. Emma had been looking forward to forest walks and evenings by the fire. Poppy was eager from the start, and I was happy to support them. We booked a small house on the shore, packed tents and climbing gear, and set off.
From the first day the atmosphere felt off. I caught Max and Poppy exchanging glances, falling silent whenever I entered the room. The second day they lingered together by the lake while Emma rested after a climb. Max claimed he was merely showing Poppy the old stone chapel the local ranger had mentioned.
Emma nodded, but something in her tightened.
On the final night we all sat around the fire. Both Max and Poppy wore guilty, bewildered expressions. They avoided my eyes. When I tried to draw them into conversation, they answered in monosyllables.
That night Emma lay awake, feeling as though something irrevocably cracked.
A week after we returned, Max sent a message: Emma, we need to talk. Meet me at the café on Baker Street?
Emma stared at her screen, a cold dread pooling in her stomach.
At five oclock she arrived at the café. Max was already there, a cup of tea steaming in front of him, and Poppy sat opposite, fiddling with her napkin.
Emma paused at the doorway, almost turned back, but her legs carried her to the table. She slipped off her coat and sat down without hesitation.
Whats going on? she asked, eyes flicking between them.
Max stared at his napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces. Finally, he lifted his head.
Emma, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Emma clenched her fists under the table. In the Lake District we finally realised that weve fallen for each other, Max whispered. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Poppys eyes filled with tears, mascara smearing down her cheeks. Emma, Im sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us both.
Poppy reached out. Emma pulled her hand away, her throat tightening with rage, hurt, a tangled knot of emotion.
Stronger than us? Emma snapped. You were behind my back while I was planning our future a wedding, children, a life together. How could you both do that? How could you betray me like this?
A few patrons turned their heads, but Emma didnt care. You were meeting in secret, texting at night, and now you claim you didnt want it? Thats the worst betrayal, Max. The worst anyone could do to me.
Max lowered his gaze. I know. I know Ive acted selfishly. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Emma turned to Poppy. You called me your best friend. How could you?
Poppy sobbed, covering her face. Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We just talked, spent time together, and then it became more than friendship.
Emma rose, the chair screeching loudly as it slid back. She grabbed her bag and gave one last look.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She walked out into the cold night, tears streaming, not wiping them away, marching straight to the tube station.
The next day Emma submitted a transfer request to move to the Manchester branch. Her manager was surprised but didnt pry; the company valued her and approved the move swiftly.
Poppy tried to call, but Emma blocked the number. Max sent a few messages, which Emma deleted without opening. He collected his belongings while she was out, leaving her flat empty. She stood in the quiet living room, staring at the spot where his trainers had once sat.
Within two weeks Emma was settled in Manchester, unpacking in a small flat. Her parents were skeptical, but she was determined to start afresh, away from the shadows of Max and Poppy.
The first months were tough, but Emma returned to climbing, now solo. It helped her regain balance.
One day a mutual acquaintance from London messaged her: Heard Max and Poppy moved in together. Been together for two months now.
Emma turned off her phone. The ache didnt vanish, but it dulled. She no longer lay awake replaying their last meeting. She kept moving, day by day.
She hadnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; she lost faith in peoples honesty, in the idea that friendship could be pure, that love wouldnt be so easily broken.
Still, she decided to rebuild her life, this time more cautiously letting new people in.
The pain will linger for a long time, but Emma knows shell get through it. Theres no other choice.
Lesson learned: trust is precious, but it must be earned, and when its broken, the only remedy is to keep walking forward, no matter how heavy the heart feels.
