Six months ago, Emmas husband upped sticks and left her, and Id been doing my best to support her through the emotional rubble. Lately though, shed become as distant as the moon and about as chatty. I started to worry about her, so one Saturday I decided to pop over and make sure she hadnt been abducted by aliens or, worse, daytime television.
When I arrived, Emma opened the door with all the enthusiasm of someone collecting a gas bill. Her face looked thunderous, and she was clearly busy wrestling a saucepan in the kitchen. I thought Id try to break the ice by complimenting the delicious smell that had wafted through the house. She muttered something, then dashed back to the kitchen, insisting she had to rescue lunch before it turned into charcoal.
While I was perched awkwardly on the edge of her IKEA sofa, my own husband called to announce that yet again, hed be working late. Lately, this had become about as regular as rain in Manchester. Around the same time that Emma had begun keeping her private life sealed awayodd, considering she used to tell me everything, including the gory detailshed suddenly developed this incredible work ethic.
Thats when things took a turn not even Agatha Christie could have predicted. Just as I ended my call, Emmas phone lit up right next to me. The screen flashed the name Tommy husband. Without thinking, I picked it up. Lo and behold, it was my Tom, who began speaking sweet nothings to Emma and promised hed be around soon because he missed her terribly.
In that moment, the penny droppedmy so-called best friend Emma had been having a little dalliance with my Tom, right under my nose. I was gobsmacked, of course. But as I left, feeling like I was stuck in a particularly rubbish soap opera, I was also strangely relieved. I realised I no longer had to put up with a lazy husband who did precious little, earned even less, and seemed to think I was his own cashpoint.
Later, curiosity got the better of me and I started to wonder how long Tom would last with Emma. In the end, they made it six months together before Emma kicked him out on his ear. He thought Id let him come crawling back, but for once I decided to grow a backbone and sent him packing for good.
Now, Im living my best life, finally free from the deadweight of that toxic marriageand honestly, its never felt better.
