“Right, what are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”
“Its over, Emily. I want a real familykids. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when youre leaving. Ill be staying at Mums for now. Hurry upI need to get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. Oh, dont look so shockedmy fiancées pregnant! Three daysthats all youve got!”
Emily stayed silent. What could she even say?
Kids just hadnt happened for her. Michael had already waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time.
All the doctors shed seen insisted she was perfectly healthy. So why did it never work out?
Shed always lived rightate well, exercised, didnt smoke.
This time, shed felt unwell at work, called an ambulance, but everything happened too fast
The door slammed behind Michael, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa.
She had no energyno *will*to pack. And where would she even go with her things?
Before they married, shed lived with her aunt. But her aunt was gone now, and her cousin had sold the house. Go back to Grans cottage in the village? Look for a rented place? What about her job?
Too many questionsand she had to figure them out fast
Early the next morning, the door opened. Her mother-in-law walked in.
“Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything you shouldnt.”
“Your sons old boxers arent exactly on my list. Want me to count my knickers for you?”
“Cheeky cow! You used to be so sweet, so quiet. Look how things turned out. I *told* Mike after the first timeyoud never give him a child.”
“Did you come just to say that? Better sit quietly and watch, then.”
“Why are you packing the china?!”
“Its *mine*. Left to me by my auntonly thing Ive got to remember her by.”
“Now the placell look empty without it!”
“Not my problem. At least *you* get a grandson.”
“Take *only* whats yours!”
“The laptops mine. Coffee machine, microwave toogifts from colleagues. *My* car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have kids!”
“None of your business. Im finemaybe God just didnt mean it to happen.”
“Doesnt look like you even care! Maybe you *wanted* this?”
“Now youre just talking rubbish. I cant even think about it.”
Emily scanned the flat. Her things were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers
Something was missing. That old figurinethe cat. Inside it was a little secreta pair of earrings and a ring. Not worth much, but precious as her grans memory. Mike always called it junk. Had he thrown it out? He usually dumped unwanted stuff on the balcony. Emily opened the door
“Whatve you forgotten *there*? Pack and *go*!” Her mother-in-laws voice cut in. “Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”
Finally, she found the cateverything still inside. Time to leave.
“Here are the keys. Goodbye. Hope I never see you again.”
Emily stopped by the office. She was still on sick leave but asked for holiday instead.
“We all feel for you, but howll we manage? Three weeks enough? Justplease stay reachable. Half our projects rely on your input.”
“Fine. A distraction might help. Thanks.”
“Need anything?”
“No.”
“Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”
“Thanksthatll help.”
She didnt even look for a new flat. She drove straight hometo the village.
No one waited for her there. Gran had passed three years ago. Her mum? Never knew hershed died in childbirth.
And now Emily couldnt have a baby herself
An hour later, she pulled up to the house. The apple tree. Tulips.
Last autumn, she and Mike had barbecued here, laughing.
She parked on the drive. The garage key was inside.
The door creaked open. Silence. Dirty cups and plates on the table. Hadnt she cleaned last time?
Noshe *had*. Someone had been here.
Two mugs. Plates. Juice cartons. Bottles of Mikes favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
So Mike had been herebut with *who*?
Didnt matter now.
Only *she* had a house key. He mustve copied it. Time to change the locks.
New life. Cleaning first, then a long bath.
She scrubbed away the past.
As she dried off, knockingfirst at the door, then the window.
“Whos there?!”
“Everything alright?!”
“Yes?” A stranger stood outside.
“Sorrydidnt mean to scare you. Im your neighbour. Saw youd been gone, then smoke from the chimney. Just checking”
“Thanks, Im fine.”
“Youre Mikes family? He was here recently with his wife Sister?”
“Ex-wife. Almost exstill finalising.”
“This house yours?”
“Mine.”
“Im your temporary neighbour. Staying at a mates place. Divorce pendingfree man tomorrow. If youre alright, Ill go. Need anything, just ask. Im Ian.”
“Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”
“Sure. Tell me whenIll handle it.”
“Fast as possible. Ill buy one tomorrow.”
“Let me checkmight get the wrong one. Im heading into town anyway.”
“Alright.”
Two weeks passed. One more week of holiday, then back to the city. But she didnt *want* to go.
Mike never called. Only a text with the divorce date. Fine by hershe never wanted to see him again.
Saturday morning. Early riser as ever, Ian invited her for a lakeside walk.
Not looking for lovebut a stroll wouldnt hurt. They had a lovely time, returned for lunchand found Mikes car outside.
Hed just arrived. The door openedMike stepped out, then helped a pregnant woman down.
Emily and Ian reached the gate as Mike struggled with the front door.
“Whats this?”
“Rightwhat are *we* doing here? Breaking into someone elses house?”
Mike froze.
“This is *our* house!” the pregnant woman snapped.
“Oh? Did Mike tell you that? *My* house. Leave.”
“Mike, *who* is this?! Your ex?! Get rid of her!”
Emily and Ian laughed. Mike bundled his fiancée into the car and drove off.
“Fun life hes got ahead.”
“But shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries. Sorry.”
“We divorced because my wife *refused* to have kids”
Four years later, a chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at Tesco.
“Emilybarely recognised you! Been watching you. Youre glowing. Are you?”
“Pregnant? Yes.” She smoothed her bump.
“Mikes not well. The grandsons weaksomething wrong on *his* side. His wife left him with the baby. You doing this alone?”
“Not alone. Got a family now. Theyre waiting.”
“Oh? Sorry for everything.”
“Take care.”
Her ex-mother-in-law watched Emily walk awayIan beside her, one hand steadying her, the other holding a little girl who looked just like her mum
