You and I are going to make waves in this world, Lucy, mark my words, Emily gestured passionately, perched on the windowsill of their university dorm. Youll climb the ranks in consulting, Ill shatter ceilings in marketing, and before you know itwell launch our own agency! The futures ours!
Lucy looked up from her notebook and let out a rich laugh, tossing her heavy braid over her shoulder.
Em, finals are in a week, and youre already building an empire.
Am I not allowed to dream a little? Emily hopped off the windowsill and flopped next to Lucy on their sagging mattress. Im deadly serious, Lucy. Were not like all those chattering hens in our cohort. Were clever. Well make it, youll see.
Lucy set her pen aside, studying her friend rumpled, faded tee, hair everywhere, but eyes burning bright. And for some inexplicable reason, in that moment she believed her, completely.
Well make it, Em. We absolutely will, Lucy whispered.
Ten years whisked by like a breath
Lucy had clawed her way through every inch of those years. Internship at a global firm, nights lost to reports, business English courses each morning, Mandarin on weekends. Forums, conferences, networks built and rebuilt. She climbed, bruising elbows and knees, but never stopped. By thirty, Lucy wore tailored wool suits, flew to Tokyo for negotiation marathons, and couldnt remember the last time she cried from exhaustionshe simply didnt have the time.
Emily met Oliver in their third year. He was a mechanic, smelled of petrol and looked at her as if she were the only woman on Earth. By their fourth year, Emily was pregnant; by the fifth, she dropped out. Their marketing agency faded somewhere between her daughters first tooth and the second birth. Her new empire was a three-bedroom flat in a quiet corner of Ipswich, where she reigned over pots, tantrums, and the eternally leaking tap.
They saw each other sometimesfar less now.
Lucy brought gifts from business trips: a silk scarf from Milan, a box of rare mountain tea from Yunnan, snapshots of Kyoto temples, descriptions of tense negotiations with Japanese partners.
They never say anything directly, can you imagine? All hints, subtlety. I studied their etiquette for three months just to avoid embarrassing myself in the first meeting.
Emily nodded, idly turning the tea bag in her hands, saying nothing. Then shed sigh deeply.
Youve got it good. Meanwhile, little Michaels brought another bug home from nursery, Olivers never around, moneys constantly tight
Lucy never knew what to say. It was as if a wall had sprung up between themone made of different lives, languages, scentsher £200 perfume contrasting Emilys baby powder.
For Emilys birthday, Lucy arrived straight from Heathrow. Navy suit, heels, perfect hair still intact from the business lounge. She slipped seamlessly into the crowd, laughing, sharing stories about her new project, drawing admiring glances from men and respectful nods from women.
Emily sat in the corner
Her dress was old, the same one shed worn to Olivers work party three years earlier. Hair pulled back in a simple ponytaillittle Michael had thrown a fit, robbing her of even five minutes with the hairdryer. She watched Lucy shine in the centre of the room, how everyone hung on every word, and inside, something bitter and sticky clawed its way up.
It was not envy.
It was worse.
Lucy wandered to the kitchen for a glass of water and stopped in the doorway. Emily was at the window, clutching her wine glass and staring through the pane with a vacant look.
Em, why are you standing here all alone? Lucy stepped forward and touched her friends shoulder, gentle. Come on, Nadines about to bring out the cake.
Emily jerked, shaking Lucys hand off.
Go. Theyre waiting for you.
Lucy frowned, but pressed on. She poured herself water, took a sip, and carefully began,
You know, Ive been meaning to say I know you miss working. We have a junior opening in my companynothing grand, but with real prospects. I could talk to HR, get you a foot in the door, and
Emily slammed the wine glass down. Crimson spilled across the counter.
A junior position? For me? Internship?
Emily, Im only offering help
Help? Emilys laughter was sharp, cracked. Do you hear yourself at all? Great Lucy Bennett, bestows favours upon poor old Emily. Thanks for the pity!
Youre misunderstanding, Lucy tried to keep her calm. I see you struggling, wanting moreso I just suggested
Did I even ask? Emily stepped closer, and Lucy involuntarily backed away. Youve changed so much, Lucy. You used to be normal, and now youre proud, arrogant. Always looking down from your Tokyo heights and fancy suits!
Thats unfair.
Unfair? Emily snapped, her voice rising, guests peeking from the lounge before ducking away. Is it fair that you parade your perfect life everywhere? Every day on Instagramon a plane, at a conference, your smoothie for five hundred quid! Think thats nice for me to see?
The blow left Lucy breathless.
Im only sharing my happiness, Em. Its normal.
Happiness? Emily scoffed. Youre just showing off! Reminding us all youre winning, while were losers. Proper women are married, raising kids at thirty. And you? Galloping round the globe like a headless chicken, no husband, no child. Hollow!
The word struck somewhere deepcold and vulnerable.
I worked hard, Lucy struggled to keep her voice steady. While you watched soaps, I dealt with spreadsheets. I learned languages, while you cooked stews. It was my choice, and I have every right to it.
Oh please! You walked all over people, you know. Dont think I havent heard about how you ousted Maria at work! Selfish! Always thinking about yourself!
Lucy fell silent, staring at her once-friend and her trembling lips, blotchy cheeks, the years of resentment finally spilling out.
Suddenly, clarity stungso sharp it made her nauseous.
You dont hate me, Emily, Lucy spoke low. You hate yourself. For not taking risks. For giving up. And its easier to see me as the villain than to admit you were afraid.
Emily paled.
Leave!
Already gone, Lucy placed her glass on the table and walked to the door. Goodbye, Emily. Good luck with your comfortable little world.
Lucy snatched her bag and pushed open the front door. Cold rain swept across her face, but she didnt flinch, stepping straight into the grey haze.
Heels smartly tapped the wet streets. Her suit soaked, clinging, mascara surely running, but none of it mattered. She headed towards the Underground, and with every stride, breathing got easier.
Strangeshed expected the ache. She thought the grief of fifteen years friendship would hit, memories of that bright-eyed girl on a dorm windowsill, dreams and plans shared. But instead, there was only a dull reliefthick and a little shameful.
Their friendship hadnt died tonight. It had faded, year by year, conversation by conversation. Every time Lucy shared her joy and got tight lips in return. Every time she mentioned plans and Emily rolled her eyes. Every time she tried to pull her friend out of quicksand, only to be dragged down herself.
Lucy descended into the Underground, slipping onto a vacant seat, ignoring wet marks she left behind. She dug out her compact, glanced at her reflectionsmudged mascara, unkempt hair, tired red eyes. She smirked and slipped the compact away.
Tomorrow shed wake at six, style her hair, don another suit and head to work. Because life never ends due to someone elses jealousy
A month later Lucy was summoned by her managing director. She entered his office, ready for anythinga new project, rebuke, another round of business battles. But Mr. Charles simply handed her a folder, silent.
Regional Director, Asia Division.
Annual contract in Singapore.
Youve earned this, Lucy Bennett, Charles said, settling back in his chair. The board voted unanimously. You leave in three weeks, time enough to prepare?
Lucy looked up from the papers and nodded.
Ill be ready.
She exited into the corridor, clutching the folder, allowing herself a few moments alone. Outside, the November sun was setting, streaking the sky gold and crimson. Somewhere out in Ipswich, Emily would be cooking dinner, grumbling to Oliver about lifes injustices.
Meanwhile, Lucy was packing for Singapore.
And not once, not for a single moment, did she regret the choices she made. As they sayeveryone finds their own path.
