**Diary Entry 28th May, 2024**
What are we doing here? Why are we trespassing in someone elses house?
Thats it, Emily. Were finished. I want a proper familychildren. 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 gone. Ill be staying at Mums for now. Dont dawdleIve got to get the flat ready for my child and its mother. Oh, dont look so shockedmy fiancées expecting. Three days. Thats all.
Emily said nothing. What was there to say?
Children had never happened for them. Jonathan had waited five years. Three failed attempts in that time.
Doctorsand shed seen plentyinsisted she was healthy. So why had it never worked? Shed always lived right.
This time, shed felt ill at work. Theyd called an ambulance, but it all happened too fast
The door slammed behind Jonathan, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa.
She had no energyno willto pack. And where would she even go?
Shed lived with her aunt while studying and before marriage. Her aunt was gone now, the flat sold by her cousin. Move back to Grannys cottage in the village? Rent somewhere? What about her job?
Too many questions, and they needed answering fast
Early the next morning, her mother-in-law let herself in.
Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.
Your sons old pants arent on my list. Should I count my socks too?
Cheeky! You were always so meek before. I told Jonathan after the first timeyoud never give him a child.
Did you come just to say that? Best keep quiet and watch, then.
Why are you packing the china?!
Mine. A keepsake from my aunt.
The placell look empty without it!
Not my concern. But youll have a grandson, wont you?
Take only whats yours!
The laptops mine. The coffee maker, the microwavegifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.
Youve got everythingexcept the ability to bear children.
None of your business. Maybe it just wasnt meant to be.
You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?
Dont be absurd. Its painful enough without your nonsense.
She scanned the flather things were gone. Hairbrush, makeup, slippers Had she forgotten something? Her mother-in-laws glare made it hard to think.
Then she remembered: the old figurinea porcelain cat. Inside it held a secretearrings and a ring, not valuable but precious as her grandmothers legacy. Jonathan had always called it junk. Had he thrown it out? His clutter went to the balcony. She opened the door
Whats out there? Just take your things and go! Her mother-in-laws voice cut in. Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, kiss it farewell. Youll never have anything like this again.
The cat was there, untouched. Time to leave.
Keys. Goodbye. Lets not meet again.
She drove to the office. Still on sick leave, she asked for holiday instead.
We all feel for you, but three weeks enough? Stay reachablehalf our projects rely on you.
Fine. A distractions what I need. Thanks.
Need help with anything?
No.
Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.
Appreciate it.
She didnt bother house-hunting. She drove hometo the village. No one waited there. Granny had passed three years back. Mum? Never knownlost in childbirth.
And now Emily couldnt conceive
An hour later, she pulled up to the cottage. The apple tree. Tulips.
Last autumn, she and Jonathan had barbecued here.
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 Jonathans favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
So hed been here. With whom?
Didnt matter now
Only she had a key. He mustve copied it. Time for new locks.
A new life. Cleaning first, then a scalding bathwashing away the past.
A knock at the door. Then the window.
Whos there?
Everything alright?
Yes? She stepped outside. A stranger stood there.
Sorrydidnt mean to scare you. Im your neighbour. Saw smoke from the chimney. Wanted to check youre okay.
Fine, thanks.
Youre Jonathans kin? He was here recently with his wife. Sister?
Ex-wife. Almost ex. Its in process.
This place yours?
Mine.
Im renting next door. Divorce pending toofree by tomorrow. Need anything, just ask. Im Ian.
Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?
Aye. Tell me when.
Soon as possible. Ill buy one tomorrow.
Let meIll fetch the right one. Save you the trip.
Thanks.
Two weeks passed. One more before returning to London. Shed grown used to the cottageno desire to leave. Jonathan hadnt called. Just a text with the divorce date. Fine by her.
Saturday morning. Ian invited her to walk by the lake.
No plans for romancebut a stroll couldnt hurt. They returned for lunch to find Jonathans car outside. Hed just arrived.
The car door opened. Out he stepped, then helped a pregnant woman.
Emily and Ian reached the gate as Jonathan jiggled the front door.
Whats this?
What are *you* doing here? Trespassing?
Jonathan froze.
This is *our* house! the woman shrilled.
Oh? Jonathan tell you that? This is *my* house. Leave.
Jon, who *is* she?! Your ex?! Throw her out!
Emily and Ian laughed. Jonathan bundled his fiancée into the car and drove off.
Hes in for a fun life.
At least shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three failures. Sorry.
My divorce? Because my wife refused children
Four years latera chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at Tesco.
Emily! Barely recognised you. You lookdifferent. Are you pregnant?
Yes. She touched her bump.
Jonathans not well. The boys frailsomething wrong on *his* side. His wife left him with the baby. Youre doing this alone?
Not alone. Ive a family waiting.
Oh Im sorry for everything
Good luck.
She watched Emily walk awayIan beside her, a hand on her back, the other holding a little girl who looked just like her.
Funny, isnt it? Life has a way of balancing the scales. Sometimes what breaks you opens the door to something better. Patience isnt just waitingits trusting the turn of the tide.
