Are you honestly going to spend your whole Saturday sorting out rubbish in the garage? The entire Saturday? Emily stabbed a fork into her cheesecake, arching her eyebrow sceptically at the tall, ginger-haired bloke sitting across from her.
Jack leaned back in his chair, warming his hands on a mug of almost-cold cappuccino.
Emily Its not rubbish, you know, its the treasure trove of my childhood. Somewhere in there are my old Love Hearts sweet wrappers, you realise. A real goldmine, right?
My goodness. You actually saved those wrappers? Since when?
Emily snorted, her shoulders trembling with barely-stifled laughter. This café with its battered plum-coloured sofas and forever-fogged windows had become their own little patch of the world over the years. The waitress, Lisa, had long stopped asking what they wanted shed just set a cappuccino down for him, a latte for Emily, and the dessert of the day for them to share. Fifteen years of friendship had made this ritual automatic.
Alright, Ill confess, Jack gave her a quick salute with his mug, the garage can wait. And so can the treasures. Simons invited us over for a barbecue on Sunday anyway, if you fancy it.
I know. He spent three hours last night comparing new barbecues online. Three hours, Jack. I think my brain actually melted from boredom.
Their laughter drifted into the background hum of the coffee machine and the hushed conversations nearby tables.
…There were no awkward silences between them, no things left unsaid they knew each other like the backs of their hands. Emily remembered when skinny, untidy Jack first came up to her in the new school year, shoelaces always undone. Jack remembered how she was the only one who never laughed at his oversized tortoiseshell glasses.
Simon had accepted their friendship without a second thought, from the very first day. He watched his wife and her childhood mate with the calm assurance of someone confident in himself and those he loved. On Friday board game nights, Simon would always burst out laughing the loudest, especially when Jack lost for the hundredth time to Emily at Scrabble, and hed keep everyones tea topped up while those two argued about the rules to Charades.
He cheats, thats why he wins, Emily once declared, flinging playing cards at Simon.
Its called strategy, darling, Simon replied coolly, collecting up the scattered cards.
Jack usually observed them with a warm smile. He genuinely liked Simon dependable, dry-humoured, the sort of man you can never tell if hes joking or being perfectly serious. Emily seemed to come alive more when Simon was around, softer, happier. Jack was honestly pleased for her, like only a true mate can be.
Everything was in its place until Harriet arrived and turned their world slightly upside down.
…
Simons sister Harriet had shown up on their doorstep a month ago, red-eyed and determined to start afresh. The divorce had wrung every last drop out of her, leaving only bitterness and a wide, aching emptiness where thered once been something like stability.
The first evening Jack popped round for their usual board game session, Harriet put her phone down and gave him an appraising look something clicked in her, like a switch flicking after a long time. Here was a man calm, gentle-eyed, with a smile inviting you to smile back.
This is Jack, my friend from school, Emily introduced. And this is Harriet, Simons sister.
Lovely to meet you, Jack said, reaching out a hand. Harriet held his hand just a beat longer than necessary.
Likewise.
From that moment, Harriets accidental appearances became almost clockwork. Shed pop up at their favourite café bang on time when Jack and Emily were there. Shed sweep into the room with a plate of shortbread just as Jack dropped by. Shed sit at the board game table so close their elbows touched.
Could you pass me that card over there? Harriet would lean right across him, her hair accidentally brushing Jacks neck. Oops, sorry.
Jack would discreetly shift aside, muttering something polite. Emily would glance at Simon and hed just shrug his sister had always been a bit much.
The flirting only ramped up. Harriets gaze lingered a bit too long on Jack, she showered him in compliments, and found any excuse for a little touch. She laughed at his jokes so brightly Emilys ears rang.
You have such lovely hands, so elegant very posh-looking, Harriet announced once, catching Jacks hand over the Monopoly pieces. Are you a pianist?
Uh software developer, actually.
Still lovely hands.
Jack carefully slid his hand away, burying himself in his cards, ears pink with embarrassment.
After the third invitation for just a friendly natter over coffee, Jack gave in. He liked Harriet enough she was lively, quick, wonderfully intense. Maybe, he thought, if something started up between them, shed stop giving him that desperate look every time they met, and things could go back to normal.
The first few weeks of dating were smooth enough. Harriet shone, Jack relaxed, and family evenings felt like carefree family evenings again.
Then Harriet noticed something she wished she hadnt.
She saw the way Jacks face would brighten up whenever Emily entered the room. How his whole expression would soften, how easy the banter was, how they finished each others sentences, how there was, between them, some special language she just couldnt crack.
Jealousy took root in Harriet, growing poisonous.
Why are you always with her? Harriet stood arms folded, blocking Jacks way to the door.
Because shes my friend. Fifteen years, Harriet. Its just
But Im your girlfriend! Me! Not her!
Rows rolled in like waves. Harriet sobbed, accused, demanded. Jack tried explaining, apologising, reasoning.
You think about her more than me!
Dont be daft. Were just mates.
Just mates dont look at each other like that!
Jacks phone would buzz nonstop whenever he was with Emily.
Where are you? When are you coming back? Why arent you answering? Are you with her again?
He started putting his phone on silent, but then Harriet began tailing after him. Shed turn up at the café, the park, outside Emilys place flustered, eyes red with angry tears.
Harriet, come on, Jack massaged his temples, exhausted. This isnt right.
Whats not right is you spending more time with another mans wife than your own girlfriend!
Emily grew weary too. Every meeting with Jack started to feel like an ordeal, waiting for Harriet to storm in, lobbing accusations or triggering yet another outburst.
Maybe I should stop Emily began, but Jack cut in:
No. Not a chance. Youre not upending your life because of her drama. None of us will.
But Harriet couldnt let it rest. If she couldnt win fair and square, shed do it another way.
Simon was in the kitchen when Harriet glided in.
Simon theres something you really ought to know. I didnt want to, but you deserve the truth
She spun her little yarns with plenty of well-placed sniffles. Secret meet-ups. Lingering looks. How Jack would hold Emilys hand when they thought no one was watching.
Simon listened in silence, not interrupting, not asking a thing. His face was impossible to read.
When Emily and Jack came in an hour later, the living room felt thick with tension like walking into a fog. Simon sat back in his chair, every bit the man anticipating a good show.
Take a seat, he said, nodding at the sofa. My dear sisters told me a marvellous story about your secret love affair.
Emily froze mid-step. Jacks jaw clenched.
What the
She says shes witnessed some rather scandalous behaviour.
Harriet hunched over, head down, unable to look anyone in the eye.
Jack spun sharply towards her, making Harriet flinch.
Pack it in, Harriet. Ive put up with enough of your nonsense!
His face was pale with rage. Gone was patient, affable Jack in his place was a man at the absolute end of his tether.
Were done. Now. This is finished.
You cant
Her eyes shone with tears real this time.
Its all her fault! Harriet jabbed a finger at Emily. Its always her! You always choose her!
Emily let the silence hang, waiting for Harriets fury to burn off.
You know, Harriet, she finally said quietly, if you hadnt tried controlling every second of his life, if you hadnt kicked up fusses over absolutely nothing, none of this would have happened. You have no one else to blame for wrecking this but yourself.
Harriet snatched up her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Simon burst out laughing, properly head tipped back, the lot.
Good heavens, at last.
He got up and pulled Emily into a hug.
You didnt believe her, did you? Emily muffled into his shoulder.
Not even for a split second. Ive watched you two for years. Its like brother and sister bickering over the last chocolate digestive.
Jack let out a long breath, tension finally falling away.
Sorry for dragging this circus into your home.
Oh, dont be daft. Harriets a grown woman; her choices are her own mess. Now, lets eat. The lasagne is getting cold, and Im not reheating it because of anyones melodrama.
Emily chuckled, warm with relief. Her family had weathered the storm. Her friendship with Jack stood strong. And her husband, once again, had shown a trust no nonsense could shake.
They moved to the kitchen, where the lasagnes golden crust glittered in the cosy glow of the lamps, and, at last, the world returned to its usual, comforting shape.
