**Diary Entry**
I cant believe itmy dress! Did I really throw it in there?
Opening the bin, Emily froze like a statue. Heres my dress! Are you saying I put it in there?
Every day, Emily asked herself the same unanswerable question: what on earth did she see in Martin?
Outwardly, he was nothing specialhardly the kind of prince youd proudly introduce to friends. Even now, they assumed she lived alone. Only her sister knew the truththat she shared her flat with a man.
Martin wasnt exactly a starry-eyed romantic either. He worked as a welder in a metal factory.
Sometimes, sitting in front of the telly, Emily would catch herself wondering if it was time to end things. But just as she worked up the nerve, Martin would come home with flowers or some trinket, and shed postpone the breakup indefinitely.
Before Emily, Martin had been marriedbriefly. His marriage lasted barely two months, but his ex-wife had been pregnant. By the time he met Emily, his daughter was already twelve. Emily had never made an effort to meet her.
Then, just before her birthday party, the opportunity forced itself on her.
Emily, Martin said awkwardly, my ex is going away for work. Shes asked me to take Lily for a month.
A *month*? Emily frowned. You realise well have to feed her, right? Did your ex even send money?
Nothing. He shrugged.
But you pay child support. So, she gets a free holiday while we foot the bill?
You know what I earn, he muttered.
Wheres she even going to *sleep*? Emilys irritation grew. She didnt want some strangers child in her space for weeks. School runs, mealswhyd you agree without asking me?
Im her *father*, Martin said, bewildered. Was I just supposed to say no?
You dont live alone, Martin. *I* pay the rent. And its my *birthday*I dont want it ruined!
She wont be in the way, he argued weakly.
Something *always* goes wrong, Emily huffed, crossing her arms.
Martin tried to reassure her, but the next day, a sharp-eyed girl with heavy makeuplooking at least sixteenwalked in and stared Emily down without a word.
Wheres my room? Lily demanded.
Youll sleep in the kitchen, Martin joked weakly.
The girl rolled her eyes and locked herself in the bathroom, sobbing.
What was *that*? Emily snapped. Rude and spoiled. Thank God Im celebrating at a café. And youre *not* coming.
Why not? Martin looked hurt. I thought youd finally introduce me to your friends.
Stay with the *child*, Emily said, relieved she wouldnt have to explain him to her glamorous circle.
Fine. He fell silent.
The next morning, Emily prepped for her party, smoothing out her cocktail dress. Martin didnt even wish her happy birthday.
After work, she rushed home to changeonly to find the dress *gone*.
Where is it? She stormed into the kitchen, where Lily lounged on the fold-out bed, glued to her phone.
Give that *back*! Lily shrieked as Emily snatched it.
Martin burst in. Whats going on? Give it to her!
Wheres my *dress*? Emilys grip tightened.
I didnt take anything, Lily sneered.
Give. It. *Back*. Martins voice turned sharp.
Oh, shell *confess*, Emily hissed, flinging the phone. The screen cracked, and Lily wailed.
Emily left in a huff, throwing on the first outfit she found.
At the café, she made her decision: shed end it.
Returning at dawn, she found Martin waiting.
What time do you call this?
Too late for lectures. Were done. Pack your things.
Youre blaming *me*? Emily scoffed.
You broke Lilys phone
She *stole my dress*!
She didnt *touch* it! Martins face darkened. I wont let you accuse her!
Emily waved him off, too drained to argue. She grabbed a half-finished wine bottlethen spat it out.
*Shampoo?!* Did I pour this in here? She laughed bitterly, yanking open the binand froze. And *heres* the dress! Care to explain *that*?
You just wanted an excuse to leave! Martin exploded. Youve *always* wanted out!
Emilys brows shot up. She *had* complainedoften.
I bugged the room. Heard every call with your sister. I *know* what youve said.
Well, *that* explains how you knew I was leaving. She rubbed her temples. Time to go.
Martin didnt fight it. He knew it was over.
