The Other Woman
Emily sat in her car, staring at the glowing face of the sat nav. She checked the address once again; this was the place. Now, all she needed was a final measure of resolve. Taking a deep breath, Emily climbed out from behind the wheel. She walked about fifty yards down the quiet street, stopping in front of a small café. The sign above read, in swirly letters, Heavenly Brews. Emily smirked inwardly. A bit much, isnt it? Heavenly, of all things, she thought, steeling herself for what she had come to do.
She was here for a singular purpose: to confront the woman her husband was seeing, the one who had upended her world. Emily paused by the door, nerves betraying her. Maybe she should just turn round and drive away, pretending none of this had happened. No. She hadnt come this far to give up now.
She pulled open the door and stepped inside, glancing around for her quarry. She recalled very little about the girl, truth be told. She only knew her by the cutesy nickname her husband used Kitten and that she worked here as a waitress. Emily chose a table by the window and waited, hands trembling only slightly. And then she saw her: the young woman shed glimpsed in a photograph, making her way over. The moments stretched painfully thin, thoughts racing through Emilys mind thick and fast, enough to fill a novel.
Good morning! chirped the waitress, and Emily darted her eyes to the girls badge. Katie. So that was her real name. Rather uninspired, Emily mused, calling her Kitten. Still smiling, Katie continued, Would you like to have a look at our menu? Take your time.
Emily returned the smile, the most dazzling she could muster. Meanwhile, she studied Katie with the intensity of a scientist peering down a microscope. How had she ended up here, face-to-face with her husbands mistress? It was a long story, she reflected, one worth telling in full.
Ten years of marriage to Ben, and Emily had always thought herself content. At least, she used to be, or so she believed. They had a daughter, Alice, eight years old Ben doted on her, indulging her at every turn. If Emily gently questioned why Alice needed yet another doll, Ben would merely shrug and smile. Alice, too, was a daddys girl through and through, sometimes making Emily feel like the less-loved parent, though she never let herself fret about it. As a qualified therapist, Emily knew the value of a fathers affection in a girls formative years.
Problems had always been addressed through calm discussion, never harsh words. Theirs was a perfectly ordinary, middle-class life: mortgaged flat, decent family car, and a small cottage in the Cotswolds. And now, out of nowhere: this.
Emily discovered the truth only by chance. A few days earlier, Ben was in the shower when his phone rang. Probably my dad he said hed call tonight. Can you answer it, love? Emily had never answered his calls before, but seeing as Ben asked, she reached for the phone, only to see that it wasnt his father calling. The name on the screen read Kitten, complete with a photo: an unknown girl, arm around Ben, smiling broadly. Emilys world reeled. Should she answer? Speak to this girl? While she hesitated, the call ended.
She turned away from the phone, desperate to put as much distance between herself and this horrid truth as possible. Then a notification flashed. A message: Benny, Im working two-on, two-off starting Monday. Pop into Heavenly Brews at the end of my shift, Ill treat you to my special coffee. Miss you, love you. Followed by a parade of hearts and winking emojis.
Emily jerked her hand back as if the phone were a viper. There was no mistaking it: photographs, calls, messages. As much as she wanted to find another explanation, it was clear her husband was cheating. She wondered how long it had been going on. What sort of affair was this? A fleeting dalliance? Something more? None of it mattered; the shock stung all the same. She needed time to think.
When Ben appeared, towel drying his hair, he asked if shed spoken to his father. Emily replied, truthfully, that she hadnt made it to the phone in time. She then feigned a headache and said she was heading to the chemist.
But she had no intention of going. Emily sat on a bench in the small park near their building, replaying every moment of her marriage. She could not find where things had gone wrong. But she wasnt the sort to ignore reality, nor one to throw crockery and make a scene. That wasnt her way. She believed in reason and conversation, no matter how difficult. Her first urge had been to demand the truth from Ben, to ask him outright about Kitten. But that would mean admitting shed checked his phone. No a different approach was needed.
Just then, Emily remembered that she knew where this Kitten worked, and even her shifts. On the profile photo, shed memorized her face. Why not go and see her for herself? Maybe even talk to her, if she gathered the nerve.
She spent the next several nights in a haze, unable to sleep or eat. She played the part of a busy professional worn out by a tough case. Alice hugged her often, perhaps sensing her distress, while Ben grew quietly suspicious. When asked, Emily simply blamed exhaustion and work, needing, perhaps, supervision. Alice was never far from her mothers side, while Ben watched on, growing ever more concerned.
Eventually, Emilys curiosity and restlessness conquered her fear. I must go, she decided. Ill never rest otherwise.
***
Ill have a latte and a dessert, I suppose, Emily said as Katie came to take her order. What would you recommend?
The honey cakes rather good, Katie offered.
All right, Ill have the honey cake.
When her order arrived, Emily could hardly touch it. The coffee was ordinary, and the cake forgettable. There were only a few customers dotted about hardly any at all at eleven in the morning, as expected. Emily had purposefully chosen this time: she hoped to exchange a few words with her rival. After ten minutes, Katie returned, asking delicately, Youve barely touched your dessert. Would you like something else?
No, nothing wrong with the cake. I just havent much appetite. Too much on my mind.
Im sorry, Ill leave you to it.
No, Katie, really, you arent in the way. Im wondering what to do next. Should I just eat my dessert, or go home and file for divorce? What would you do? Emily fixed Katie with a pointed look.
Katie shrank back a little, visibly confused by her customers odd tone. Ive never faced a choice like that she murmured.
And if you did? Imagine you learnt your husband was unfaithful.
Katie said nothing, dropping her gaze. Emily decided to change tack. Have you been here long?
Nearly a year, Katie replied, cautious.
Are you a student?
Yes. Katies eyes narrowed with suspicion, but she continued to answer.
What are you studying?
Cultural studies, creative arts, she stammered.
Fascinating, Emily mused. I expect you have a vivid imagination, then?
Im not sure I understand
Well, could you put yourself in another womans shoes? Imagine what she feels a wife betrayed? Or perhaps, being the other woman?
Katie fell silent, growing visibly uneasy. Emily realised, with a start, that coming here had achieved nothing. She had seen the girl, after all and then what? Should she pull her hair or douse her with insipid latte? Would it release her pain? Hardly. Emily shuddered inwardly.
May I have the bill, please?
When Katie returned, Emily had already left. On the tablecloth, shed left the money for the meal, with a generous tip besides. Katie glanced out the window after her, sighing softly, shoulders slumping as she watched Emily go.
***
It was there, in that café, that Emily made her choice. She would celebrate the tenth anniversary with Ben as planned, if only for Alices sake; shed seen her daughter preparing cards and drawings for the special day. Once the weekend was over, then and only then would she speak to Ben about what had happened.
So it was: their family sat together at their favourite bistro, marking ten years of marriage. Was this tin? Wood? Glass, most likely, Emily thought cynically. So fragile, about to shatter. The meal was nearly done when Ben, his eyes alight with mischief, winked at Alice.
Whats a celebration without cake? he teased.
I want cake! Alice squealed, and I get the biggest slice!
As if on cue, the cake emerged, but when Emily saw who was carrying it, her heart stuttered. It was Katie Kitten whatever the name, unmistakably the same girl.
Katie set the cake on the table, standing nervously beside it. Ben smiled at her and turned to Emily.
Happy anniversary, darling! This cake is for you.
At that moment, a party entertainer beckoned to Alice, who dashed across the room to join a game.
Emily sat silent, unable to form words. Ben took the lead.
As you may have realised by now, you already know Katie.
Katie nodded politely in Emilys direction.
Our love isnt threatened by anything, Emily, Ben declared. Thank you for being in my life. He leaned in for a kiss, but Emily flinched away.
Whats going on here? she finally managed.
Emily, it was all a prank. I know, its sillymaybe tasteless, even. But it was just a bit of fun Ben spread his hands apologetically.
A prank? Emily repeated, disbelief and anger rising.
Yes. You see, I hired a company that organises unusual parties. Each event has a script and actors. For our anniversary, I picked the affair storyline. But you you handled everything so calmly, with such poise and wisdom, Im in awe. Im so lucky to have you! He tried to embrace her, but she pulled away.
So, you mean to say there is no other woman?
None, Ben beamed.
And Katies a professional actress?
Im still training, Katie interjected, and I wait tables to make ends meet. I work with the agency, too. You acted with such dignity, Emily. Youd be surprised some wives have poured coffee over me or screamed the place down. You just sat and talked, and even left a tip.
Emilys mouth hung open. You think thats funny, Ben? Appropriate? Kind? What on earth possessed you? Her voice broke, nearly shouting now. Why would you do this to me?
Katie quietly retreated, but Emily waved her back. For the first time, Ben saw his normally composed wife give vent to her emotions.
Do you have any idea how I spent these last days? Why would you pull this on the eve of our anniversary?
Emily, darling Ben began, Youre always so calm so measured. I wanted to spice things up, reinvigorate us! Yes, maybe it was mad. Im sorry.
Emilys hands shook with rage. Seizing the cake, she smeared it right across Bens face. Theres the spice you wanted. Dessert and all!
Ben grimaced, wiping cream from his eyes, Are you mad?
No, darling, Emily sang, her voice sugar-sweet. Just spicing things up a little myself. And with that, she got up and walked away.
Whats got into you? Ben called after her. It was only a joke!
Emily paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder. I rather wish you had been unfaithful, she said, voice trembling then she strode to Alice, took her hand, and they left.
Outside, Emily drew a long breath of the cool evening air. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed out loud.
Mum, whats so funny? Alice asked.
Oh, nothing, sweetheart. Just remembered a silly joke.
Will you tell me?
Of course. But we need to have a talk first. You see, things might be a bit different for us. For a while, were going to live apart from your dad
Apart? Forever? Alices eyes widened.
I honestly dont know, Emily said softly. Time will tell. Are you with me?
Alice nodded solemnly, and together, they walked down the twilit street, heading towards whatever the future might bring.
