JUST IN CASE Vera glanced at her weeping colleague, turned back to her computer with indifference, and began typing rapidly. “You’re heartless, Vera,” came the voice of Olga, the department boss. “Me? What gives you that idea?” “You act like if everything’s fine in your personal life, it must be the same for everyone else. Can’t you see she’s devastated? You could at least show a little sympathy, maybe give advice or share your experience, since things are going so well for you.” “Share my experience with her? I doubt Nadine would appreciate that. I tried once, five years ago, when she used to show up to work with black eyes—said it made the road home more visible, I suppose. You weren’t here yet. And no, it wasn’t her man beating her—she said she fell, had accidents. When he ran off, there were no more black eyes. He was the third to leave. I tried to support her, to share my experience, but somehow I ended up the bad guy. Later, our coworkers told me it was a lost cause; Nadine knows best in all things. I was nothing but a jealous homewrecker, ruining her happiness! Back then, she used love spells. Now she’s modern—goes to therapy, works through her traumas. It’s never occurred to her she’s living out the same story each time—the only thing changing is the names. So, forgive me if I don’t offer tissues or sympathy this time.” “Still, Vera, that’s not how you should be.” At lunch, everyone at the table talked only about Nadine’s ex, the scoundrel. Vera ate in silence, then poured herself some coffee and retreated to a corner to scroll through social media and clear her head. “Vera,” said Tania, plopping down beside her. Usually cheerful, Tania’s face was unusually somber. “Don’t you feel even a little sorry for Nadine?” “Tania, what do you want from me?” “Leave her be,” Irina tossed in as she passed. “Vera’s got her beloved Vasily, she lives like a queen—how could she understand what it’s like to be left on your own with a child, with no help, not even child support from that deadbeat?” “Should’ve thought before having kids,” chimed in Tatiana Ivanovna, known as ‘Auntie Tanya’ by the girls—a stalwart of the department. “Vera’s right. How many times has Nadine sobbed while pregnant, he drove her mad, and before that… well.” Surrounding the ever-crying Nadine, the women dished out all sorts of advice. Ultimately, fiercely ‘strong and independent’ Nadine decided to pull herself together. She summoned her mum from the countryside to help with her son and that ungrateful man, while she attempted a comeback—grew out a fringe, microbladed brows, glued on lashes, almost got a nose ring (talked out of it collectively). And off she went. “Don’t worry, Nadine,” encouraged her mates, “he’ll regret it someday—cry his eyes out.” “He won’t cry,” Vera said quietly, mostly to herself, but tipsy colleagues overheard her. “What do you mean, he won’t?” “He just won’t, and he won’t regret it either. And Nadine? She’ll find herself another one just like him soon enough.” “You have it easy, Vera, your Vasily isn’t like that, is he?” “Not at all. My Vasily is the best—doesn’t fight, doesn’t drink, doesn’t cheat—loves me madly.” “Yeah, right, they’re all the same dogs.” “Watch out, Vera, someone will snatch him from you.” “Nah, he’d never leave.” “I wouldn’t be so sure.” “Well, you should.” Tipsy debates broke out—until someone boldly suggested, “Let’s go to your place, Vera, see if your Vasily can resist our charms. Bet you won’t invite us—you’re afraid you’ll lose your perfect Vasily!” “Let’s go then.” “All right, girls—let’s descend on Vera’s and steal her Vasily! Auntie Tanya, are you coming?” “No, girls, my Mikhail is waiting for me at home… You lot have fun,” laughed Tatiana Ivanovna. The boisterous party arrived at Vera’s, laughing and bustling in her kitchen. “Let’s cook something quick—Vera’s Vasily is out but will be home soon.” “Don’t bother; he’s picky and doesn’t eat much,” Vera replied, “but yes, you’re right, he’ll be home soon.” The mood calmed, and most left early—only Nadine, Olga, and Tania stayed for tea in Vera’s cosy kitchen, shyly awaiting the mysterious Vasily’s arrival. As they were about to leave, someone came in. “Vasily, my dear Vasily, my sweet boy,” Vera cooed in the hallway. The women’s spirits dropped as a tall, handsome young man entered. Oh—that’s the secret. Vera’s ‘husband’ was much younger than her. “Girls, meet my Denis.” A silent, stunned “Who’s Denis?” echoed in their eyes. “My son, Denis. So, how’s Vasily doing, Den? Was he good?” “Yes, Mum, he’s resting now after the op, but he’ll be up and about tomorrow. Just don’t let him lick—” The women blushed. “We… should go?” “Wait, I haven’t introduced you to Vasily—shh, he’s recovering after surgery. Denis and Lena (my daughter-in-law) took him while I was at work—for the snip, you see, he kept marking the curtains… Come, here he is.” Here’s my Vasily, sleeping. Barely holding in laughter, the ladies ran from the room. “Vera, it’s a cat!” “Of course it is. What did you think?” “But your husband…?” “Oh, I haven’t got one. You all just assumed – I once said I had a wonderful man, Vasily, but didn’t get to finish before you’d invented the rest and bought into it.” “Married young to my first love, dropped out, had Denis. That lasted three miserable years. Parents helped a lot. Tried again closer to thirty, had hopes for family life, but… the fairytale ended quickly. Sent him packing to his mum. Long stretch alone with Denis. Third try was… well, let’s say he left a mark—a black eye from passionate love, he said. Who knew I’d find self-defence skills useful? Denis did martial arts since he was six, and I’d spar with him at home. Gave the ‘Othello’ his just deserts and got out. Denis married. I got lonely, got myself Vasya. We’re happy together. He’s the perfect company—goes to the cinema or on holiday with me, no strings, no demands. Sometimes I cook up a feast, invite him over. He leaves happy, neither of us owes the other anything.” Denis once asked why Vasily didn’t live with us. Why would he? We’re not young lovers. Look at my brother—he and his wife are inseparable after thirty years. That’s not my story. Why force it just to say I’m married? Vasya and I are good together. Right, love?” Vera cooed to her awakening cat. “Warned you, one more curtain incident, and that would be the end of your extra ‘accessory’.” The girls left, full of thoughts—especially Nadine. But Nadine couldn’t do things Vera’s way. A month later, she’d found a new beau and was receiving bouquets at work. Vera and Auntie Tanya smiled quietly. “So, how’s your Mikhail’s paw, Auntie Tanya?” “He’s fine, dear—stepped on something on a walk, but he’s healed now, thank goodness. My grandkids want to take him to a dog show—no need for that, we’re happy without the fuss… Nadine, I see your life’s back on track!” “Yes, Auntie Tanya—some get pets, some collect husbands!” “Well, everyone’s different. Maybe Nadine will have better luck this time.” “Oh, let’s hope so.” “What are you two whispering about?” “About you, Nadine—hoping luck’s on your side now.” “Ladies, I know how it looks, but I just can’t be alone, really.” “Don’t mind us—stop explaining, everyone has their own journey…” As Vera headed to the car park, Nadine called after her. “Vera, could you give me tips on having a cat? What’s better—a boy or a girl?” “Go on, they’re waiting for you… We’ll see—just in case.”

JUST IN CASE

I glanced at my sobbing colleague with little more than a raised eyebrow, then turned back to my computer and began to type furiously.

Youre heartless, Vera, I heard Olivia, our department head, chide from across the office.

Me? Wheres that coming from? I asked without looking up.

Well, just because things are rosy in your private life, doesnt mean everyone else has it easy. You can see how Lydias beside herselfwouldnt hurt to comfort her, offer a bit of advice, pass along your wisdom. I mean, since youve got it all sussed, eh?

Me? Offer advice? To her? I wouldnt risk it, I said, keeping my face neutral. I tried that once, years ago, back when she kept turning up at work with bruises you could see from a mile off. That was before your time.

And no, it wasnt her fella hitting her, if thats what youre thinking. She had this knack for falling over in unfortunate places. Oddly enough, those accidents stopped as soon as her third chap rode off into the sunset. I actually tried to support her back then, offer a bit of my own experienceended up the villain, apparently. My other colleagues explained after that its hopeless; Lydias always the expert on her own life. Poke your nose in, and youre an interfering busybody, ruining her chances at happiness.

Shes switched it up nowno more fortune tellers or love charms; shes all about seeing a therapist these days. Working on her traumas. What she doesnt see is shes stuck in the same pattern, only the names change. So forgive me, but I wont be offering tissues or heartache. Ive learnt my lesson.

Thats cold, Vera, Olivia said, shaking her head.

At lunch, we all crowded around the same tablenaturally, the conversation revolved around Lydias ex, who was a good-for-nothing scoundrel. I ate in silence, then grabbed my coffee and retreated to a quiet corner, scrolling on my phone to give my mind a break.

Vera? Tanya, round and usually full of laughs, squeezed up next to me. No sympathy for Lydia at all, really?

Tanya, what are you all expecting from me?

Oh, leave her, Irina sang out as she passed by. Shes cushy with her darling Williamliving the dream, she cant relate to being left alone with a kid and not a scrap of help. Try getting child support out of the bloke as well.

Well, maybe you shouldnt have had a kid with God-knows-who, especially at your age, interjected old Mrs Turner. The oldest among us, though everyone called her Auntie T behind her back. Veras right, Lydias cried over enough men, and he was awful even before she was expecting.

The other women had formed a sort of protective huddle around the still-sobbing Lydia, each chirping their own advice.

What happened next? Well, our own Miss Independent Lydia decided to show the world just how strong and self-sufficient she really was. She called her mum up from Cornwall to help with her boy and that ungrateful ex of hers, and started, at last, to pull herself together.

She got herself a fringe, had her brows microbladed on her forehead, glued in a set of lashes, even fancied a nose ringthankfully, the whole office talked her out of it.

Youll see, Lyds, the girls cheered, hell regret it, hell weep for you!

He wont, I said quietly to myself, not meaning for anyone to notice. But the othersnow tipsy from a second bottlepounced. Why not?

Because he wont. He wont miss her and wont regret a thing. And Lydia will find herself another of the same in no time at all.

Easy for you to say with your William. Hes not like the rest, I suppose?

Thats right. Williams not like the rest. The best man walking: doesnt hit, doesnt drink, doesnt cheat, and is mad for me.

Oh, come off it. Theyre all alikedogs, the lot of them.

Watch it, Verasomeone might nab him from under your nose.

Not a chance. He wouldnt stray, not ever.

I wouldnt count on it.

I would.

By then, the booze was flowing and the room sounded like a fox hunt. In the heat of things, someone declared, Lets all go meet him! See if he can resist us. Bet you wont invite usafraid your perfect William might just be led astray by one of us.

All right then come along.

Lets do it, girls! Off we go to Veras to steal William. Auntie T, you coming?

Not tonight, loves. Michaels waiting for me at home. Off you go, she replied, grinning.

Soon, half the office was crammed into my kitchen, cracking up with laughter, bustling around.

All right girls, lets whip up something, shall we? Williams not here, is he? Lets have everything ready when he turns up.

No need, hes picky and wont eat much, but youre righthell be home soon.

The giggling simmered down, reality crept in, and one by one they sloped off, thinking of laundry and chores. Only Lydia, Olivia, and Tanya lingered, drinking tea and fidgeting at my table, faces tense as they waited for the mysterious William.

They decided to start heading home just as someones key turned in the door.

William! My darling, my precious boy! I gushed as I came into the hallway.

The girls fell instantly quiet, shifting awkardly in their seats as a tall, handsome young man came in.

Ah. Thats it, they all realised at once. The husbands miles younger than Vera.

Girls, this is Dennis.

Dennis? their eyes said. Whos Dennis? Isnt he William?

My son, Dennis. Hows William, Denny? Behaved himself?

All right, Mum. He needs proper rest after the op. Hell be back to his usual self in a day or two. Just make sure he doesnt lick the stitches.

The other women blushed violently.

Right, well, best be off then

Wait! You havent met William yet. Keep quiet now, hes just had surgery. Dennis and Lena took him, I was at workneutering, you see, he started spraying the curtains, little menace. Come through!

There he is, my Williamfast asleep, my precious.

The others burst from the room barely holding in their laughter.

Vera, its a cat!

Of course its a catwhat did you think?

But your husband…?

Oh, I havent had a husband in years. You lot just assumed. I once said I had a wonderful William in my lifeyou never let me finish that hes got paws and a tail. First time, I married youngschool sweetheart, the usual story; never finished my course, Dennis came along. It was three difficult years and thencurtains.

My parents helped, we managed. Second marriage, nearly thirtydecent chap, had his plans Id provide the heir and a daughter to match, the set. Dennisto military college, theyll house him, feed him, and all that. Or he could stay with my mum.

So, off the husband went to his mothers. Made a right song and dance. His mum blamed my stupidity, spouting that no man wants to raise anothers childwhich is rich, seeing as she herself remarried and had some chap bring up her son.

For years Dennis and I muddled through. Third go-round, I was no catch by then, but, as the saying goes, threes a charm. On our third date, he gave me a black eyesaid he loved me so much he couldnt stand the jealousy. But Dennis had been at judo since six, with me as a sparring partner at home, so Id learned a few moves. When my so-called Othello tried to get rough, I showed him the door. Decided that was quite enough.

Dennis is married now. I was lonely, so I got myself my William. Suits me just finea cinema buddy, a travel companion. He expects nothing, no nagging, no obligations. Sometimes I cook a nice dinner, he visits, leaves happy, and no ones tearing out their hair.

Dennis used to ask why we never lived together. Why should we? Were grown, set in our ways. I see couples who stick from youthlike my brother and his wife, thirty odd years. I never managed that. Why force it just for bragging rights?

So, William and I have a happy life. Isnt that so, love? Eyes open at last. I told you, one more curtain and that was that.

They all left, thinking deeplyLydia especially.

Lydia never could do what I do, though. A month later she was gushing about a new beau, bouquets arriving by the armful at the office.

Mrs Turner and I smiled quietly.

Hows your Michaels paw? I asked.

Hes right as rain, Vera. Caught himself on something in the park but its healed now, thank goodness. Grandkids want me to take him to a show, but why put the poor lad through all that. Were happy as we are. Looks like Lydias lucks turned too.

Yes, Mrs Turner. Some people adopt pets, others keep collecting husbands…

Well, each to their own, love. Maybe this one will be the charm for Lydia.

Lets hope so.

What are you two gossiping about?

You, Lydiawe were saying, hope things go your way at last.

Girls, I know how all this looks, but I cant manage alone. Really.

No ones judging you. Everyone lives their own life…

Vera, I heard Lydia call as I headed to the car park, can you tell me, if I wanted a catwhats the best, male or female?

Go on then, off you poptheyre waiting. If you get one, well sort it… I laughed.

Just asking, you know… just in case.Lydia lingered for a heartbeat, her usual brightness dulled to something softer, more thoughtful. For once, she wasnt rushing headlong into another adventure, wasnt performing heartbreak for her usual chorusjust silently weighing possibilities.

I glanced back as she slipped into her car, her gaze drifting not to her phone but to the little pawprint pendant on her keys, left over from childhood. The engine stuttered, then purred. She waved, not extravagantly but with a quiet promise, a kind of peace offering to the world and, maybe, to herself.

I walked home under a sky bruised with evening, the first stars peeking out as if hesitant, watching. William met me at the door as usualtail up, an unmistakable grin in his whiskers. I scratched his chin, feeling the warmth of his head pressed into my palm, and breathed in the comfort of a house filled with quiet love, no explanations necessary.

Tomorrow, I knew, thered be fresh tales at workperhaps Lydias, perhaps someone elses. Maybe Tanya would finally buy that potted fern she talked about, maybe even Irina would surprise us all. Life didnt line up neatly; there was, Id learned, no template, no single ticket to happiness. Some of us collect rings, some bruises, some cat hairs on our trousers.

But we get on the best we can, patching up familiar wounds, laughing where we can, and letting kindness slip through the cracks in our armor. And sometimes, if were lucky, we find our happily-ever-after curled up on the sofa, purring away, reminding us that a bit of peace, however it comes, is worth holding onto.

With William sighing in his sleep beside me, I poured myself a cup of tea and glanced at the phone: one new message.

Lydia: Ive thought about it. I think Id like a ginger oneboy or girl, doesnt matter. I just want to come home to someone happy to see me.

I smiled, typing back: You will, love. You will.

And somewhere outside my quiet window, like hope, someone elses laughter drifted up to meet the moon.