Finish what you started! James raises his voice at Emily. If you dont really know, then dont gossip for the sake of it
I do know, Emily replies with a sly smile, locking eyes with him. She and I never kept secrets from each other
James and Grace met in the most ordinary way. It was winter and the pavements were icy. Grace slipped on the frozen path one morning as she hurried to work and landed badly, hurting her knee. James rushed over, helped her to her feet, and even made sure she got safely to A&E.
The X-ray showed nothing was broken, and Grace was soon sent off home with instructions to rest and keep her knee strapped up. James stayed with the charming young woman the whole time, even called his boss for half a day off. He only calmed down once he saw Grace safely into a cab, making her promise to call as soon as she was home to let him know she was alright.
Grace was smitten with the warm-hearted, caring manshed never met someone like him before. She was utterly charmed. Their relationship kicked off in the most romantic way. They called and messaged each other endlessly, chatting about everything. James wanted to know every detail of Graces dayif she slept well, ate properly, wrapped up warm, how her day had been.
For James, this wasnt anything special or unusual; thats simply how people cared for each other in his family. He lived in a flat hed inherited from his nan, while his mum and dad lived nearby, in the next town. Theyd once all lived together, renting out Nans flat until she passed away. There were rarely quarrels at homeJames grew up surrounded by affection and complete trust. When Nan was gone, he was old enough to move out, so he settled in her old flat.
When it came to romance, James hadnt been lucky. Hed always been shy and reserved, never one for striking up chats with strangers or going to partieshe didnt even have a group of mates to go out with. With Grace, though, everything happened so naturallyshed needed help and he couldnt just walk by. He later convinced himself it was fate.
Two months later, they got marriedon a whim, really. James jokingly suggested they tie the knot and Grace, to his surprise, said, Lets do it! Why not go now and give notice?
They just about made it to the registry office with an hour to spare before closing. The wedding was scheduled for the earliest date available. Jamess parents, Barbara and Edward, were a bit taken aback by the rush, but approvedafter all, Grace made a wonderful impression.
Graces mother lived in the next town over. She heard the news by phone but couldnt come, as Graces nan was unwell and needed looking after.
Their family life began splendidly. They got along beautifully, with no arguments, and the romance didnt fade after the weddingit only grew stronger. When their son, Oliver, was born, the household was filled with even more joy, though they had their share of worries too. One evening at a party, Graces closest friend, Emily, had a bit too much to drink, and they had to put her safely into a cab so she got home alright.
The whole group was celebrating James and Graces wedding anniversary at a café. Grace had invited Emilyher dearest friend since their schooldays. Jamess parents, Barbara and Edward, were there too, as was little Oliver, now five, who sat proudly at the table, toasting the family with his glass of apple juice. As always, Emily stuck out at such gatheringsshe was single at thirty, and, next to lovely Grace, she always felt a bit overlooked; plain, round-faced, short and stout, not graced with model looks.
From school days, all the attention from boys had gone to Grace, not Emily, but being Graces friend had its perksGraces mother only let her go out if Emily tagged along. The girls often joined large groups for outings, and sometimes a boy or two would notice Emily by default. But while proposals flooded in for Grace starting in sixth form, none ever came Emilys way. Grace was never in a rushshe wanted to choose the right person, and didnt marry until she was twenty-five. Then she met James, and everything changed
Emily stumbled down the café steps, nearly losing her balance three times, and James had to steady her. Upstairs, his family waitedbut Emilys cab, called by Grace for her, was outside. She could barely stand, but James patiently walked her outside. Hed never seen her like this.
To the happy couple! Emily shouted, her voice carrying over the heads of passing strangers. What happiness! Some people always get luckyGrace always has! Since we met, things have always slid off her like water off a duck. Shes always wrapped men around her finger, and you lot just fall for it! You need to use your heads! She laughed bitterly. Grace is stunning, and thats why your brains shut off
Theyd almost reached the cab when Emily abruptly pulled away from James, now with a steadier, eerily sober voice. Do you even know whose boy youre raising? He isnt even your own!
What rubbish! James nearly slapped her, the street whirling crazily under the streetlights. He squeezed his eyes shut, wanting to grab and shake her, to stun her into silencebut she cruelly went on.
Look at you, turning white as a sheet! As if you hadnt noticedOliver came along far too soon! That quick weddingdid you really think Grace married you out of mad love? Emily sneered. And your son doesnt even look like you! She had another bloke before youhe wanted to marry her, filled her head with promises, then dumped her for someone else. Serves her right!
James shoved Emily into the cab and slammed the door, desperate to block out her words. But she called him the moment the taxi turned the corner. Without thinking, James picked up.
Go on, ask your precious wife! Emily cackled, a harsh, grating laugh. Its not just me left miserable while you all celebratelet her feel the heat for once!
Her laughter rang in Jamess head all evening. He couldnt wipe her words from his mindbecause, in truth, Oliver had come early, but James had told himself some babies just arrive ahead of schedule. He hadnt paid much mind to birth weights and lengthshed just been deliriously happy, and such doubts never occurred to him. From the first minute he saw Oliver, hed loved him utterly and never questioned their bond.
Jamess parents, too, were mad for their grandsonalways inviting him over for weekends, taking him to the zoo and the museum. But now Emilys poison tainted every happy memory. He couldnt think about anything else, and he found reasons everywhere for her accusationsOliver was a slight, fair-haired boy, nothing like dark-haired James. Barbara insisted childrens hair often changed, but the boys build was slender and delicate too, unlike tall, robust James or Grace. The eye colour, again… Jamess mind reeled. For a week he kept his misery silent, asking nothinguntil he finally broke.
He asked Grace the question.
She looked oddly at him, then said quietly, with a hint of mockery, I always knew youd ask that one day. What took you five years to mention it? You could have brought it up from the start and wed be divorced by now. Isnt that what you want? I tricked you! I lied! Go aheadshout at me!
James recoiled in shock. Why was she saying these things? Didnt she realisehe loved her so much that, even if shed told him the truth back then, hed probably have forgiven it all and married her anyway? But nowshe sounded as if shed been waiting for this, as if she was ready for him to walk out. Divorce? He wasnt thinking of that! Oliver, his beloved son, was everything to himhe didnt care what people said, he would never abandon the boy. But how could he tell his parents? Should he? Would they still treat Oliver the same way?
It seemed Grace didnt quite trust his feelings, either. Their row was fierce. James packed a bag and left. Nans old flat was empty at the timehed been renting it out, but no one was there now. He stayed there for two weeks. The pain gnawed at him, and he missed his son and wife every moment. He thought and thought, and finally decidedthings would remain as before. Emily wanted to ruin their lives and steal their happiness, but she wouldnt winnot this time.
James returned home to Grace and Oliver.
Im sorry, Grace wept. I said such awful things to youyou never deserved any of it. I thought that after you knew, youd stop loving me, so I tried to say everything myself. I spent years dreading this, waiting for it to happen!
Oh, Grace James murmured, pulling his wife gently into his arms. Youve lived with me for five years and never truly understood me. I love you and Olivernothing will ever change that. I dont blame you or hold it against you. I can see why you kept it to yourself back thenyou were afraid Id leave you. But our love is real, Grace. No one, not even Emily, can destroy that.
Thank you, Grace whispered, drying her tears and clutching him. But, I never want to see her again.
What about my parents? James finally voiced what had haunted him the most. They love Oliver so much How do we tell them?
A month and a half later, they told Jamess parents. Not about any of that mess, though. Just that Grace was expecting againand soon their family would be even bigger.
