Finish what you started, will you? James raised his voice at Emily. If you dont actually know, then stop rambling nonsense.
I do know, Emily smirked, staring straight into his eyes. She and I never kept secrets
James and Alice met in the most mundane way. It was a cold, slippery winter morning. Alice slipped on the icy pavement while heading to work and fell badly, hurting her knee. James helped her up and even accompanied her to the A&E.
The X-ray showed it wasnt broken, and Alice was sent home with the standard advice: rest and an elastic bandage on her knee. Throughout, James didnt leave the side of the charming woman. He even rang his boss to ask for the morning off. Only after making sure Alice got in a taxi home did he relax and head back to work, after extracting a promise that shed ring as soon as she arrived home to let him know she was alright.
Alice was genuinely taken with this kind and thoughtful man. Shed never met anyone quite like him before and was utterly charmed. The beginning of their relationship was a dreamy whirlwind of romance. They texted and called all day, chatting about anything and everything. James cared about all the little details of Alices dayhe wished her a lovely morning, told her goodnight, and throughout the day made sure shed dressed warmly, had something to eat, rested enough, and wanted to know how her day went.
For James, it didnt feel unusual. At home, everyone was always caring towards one another. He lived alone in a flat left to him by his grandmother, while his mum and dad were nearby, in the next town. Their family had always been closeno arguments, lots of warmth and trust. They once all lived together, renting out his grans old flat, but after she passed away, and James was grown, he moved there himself.
James never had much luck with women. He was shy and a bit reserved, not the sort to randomly chat someone up on the street, never went clubbing, and didnt have many friends to go out with. Meeting Alice just happened by chanceshe needed help, and he couldnt just walk by, it wasnt in his nature. Looking back, James was convinced it was fate.
Two months later, they got married. It just sort of happened. James joked about her marrying him, and to his surprise, Alice replied, Alright! Lets go register now!
They dashed to the registry office, just managing to get the paperwork in before closing. The earliest possible wedding date was set. James parents, Susan and Richard, were surprised at how quickly things happened, but gave their blessingmore so since they immediately liked Alice.
Alices mum lived in a nearby town. Alice called to tell her the news, but she couldnt make it; Alices grandmother was ill and couldnt be left alone.
Their family life was happy. They rarely argued, and the romance only grew after the wedding. Then their son William was born, and their happiness swelled. So did the responsibility. One night, at an anniversary celebration with friends and family, Alices close friend Emily had a few too many drinks and needed a taxi.
They were all at a local café, celebrating the wedding anniversary with James parents, Susan and Richard, five-year-old Williamwho sat very importantly at the table, clinking juice glasses and wishing everyone happinessand Alices best friend Emily, of course. Alice and Emily had been inseparable ever since school, even closer than sisters. Emily was the same age as Alice, thirty, but still single, her love life had never quite worked out. Standing beside beautiful Alice, Emily always seemed to fall shortshe was plump, awkward, petite, her face plain and forgettable, as if a sketch never quite finished.
Since school, boys had always flocked to Alice. Emily, on the other hand, got to tag along only because Alice needed a chaperone for her dates. The pair went out with larger groups, sometimes four or five of them, and Emily got some attention by proxy. Marriage proposals, however, were reserved for Alice, who began receiving them as early as sixth form. Still, Alice chose carefullyshe wasnt about to settle. She didnt marry until twenty-five, then met James, and everything changed.
Emily could barely make it down the cafés steps; she would have toppled over three times if not for James. Upstairs, his wife, William, and parents were waiting, while Alices friends taxi was waiting outside. Emily could hardly stand, so James escorted her. Hed never seen her like this before, but he insisted on accompanying her.
Happiness to the happy couple! Ha! Emily yelled, drawing some looks. Some get all the luck, dont they? Alice always did! Right from the start. She had everything, slid through life like water off a duck. Twisted men around her little finger, and you lotfoolsactually believed it! Use your head, for goodness sake! Sure, shes prettythats why men lose their senses
They made it out the door, only a few steps to the taxi, when suddenly Emily broke away from Jamessteady on her feet now, and sober-soundingas she loudly declared, You do know whose son youre raising, dont you? Hes not yours, you know!
What rubbish are you talking? James barely controlled himself. The lamp-lit street spun before his eyes. He tightly shut them for a second, trying to steady himself. He wanted to shake Emily, make her shut up, but she mercilessly continued, Look at you, going pale. Didnt figure it out, then? William was born too soon! Rushed weddingdo you really think Alice married you so suddenly out of love? Ha! William looks nothing like youcant you see? She had another chap before you, wanted to marry herfooled her then betrayed her, traded her in. Serves her right!
James shoved Emily into the taxi, closing the door before he could hear any more. But even after the taxi turned the corner, she rang his mobile, and for reasons he didnt even understand, James answered.
Go on, ask your darling wifey! Ha! Why should I be the only one miserable at your party, let her squirm like I did! Emily cackled.
Her laugh echoed in James ears the rest of the evening. Try as he might, he couldnt stop replaying her words. It was true, William had come early, but James hadnt really considered itplenty of children are premature. Hed never worried about birth weights or timelineshed simply been falling-over-himself happy. He never doubted that William was his own, and he loved his son from the very first moment.
James parents adored William, too. They often invited him for weekends, took him to the zoo and museums. Curse Emily! Shed poisoned all their happiness. Now everything shed said replayed in his mind. William was a scrawny, fair-haired boynothing like James, who was tall, dark, and broad, or Alice, who was also tall. Worst of all, Williams delicate frame and blue eyes kept haunting James. His mum, Susan, insisted, Children change so much as they grow But the doubt persisted until, after a week of silent brooding, James finally broke and asked Alice outright.
Alice stared at him in a strange way, then replied, I always knew youd ask this, one day. So what took you five years? If you figured it out, why wait so long to bring it up? she said, a mocking edge in her voice. Why not just say it straight away? Wed have divorced on the spot. Thats what you want, isnt it? I tricked you, after all! Go on, have a go at me, shout, if you must!
James recoiled at Alices words. What was she talking about? He loved her so much that if shed told him the truth back then, hed likely have forgiven her and still married her. And now? She said it all so calmly, as if shed been waiting for this moment for five years. Divorce? He had no intention of it. Williamhis beloved sonhe loved him more than anything, and nothing anyone could say would make him turn away. But what about his parents? Should he tell them? Would things between them change if they found out?
Alice didnt seem convinced by his feelings, though. They had a heated row. James packed a bag and left. The old flatthe one that had belonged to his grandmotherstood empty for now, so he moved in, feeling utterly miserable for two weeks, missing his son and Alice terribly. He thought things through, and realised he wanted his family as they were. Emily had tried to ruin their happiness, but she wouldnt win.
James returned to Alice and William.
Im so sorry, Alice wept. I said terrible things you never deserved. I thought once you knew, youd stop loving me, and I was so afraid, I wanted it all out in the open. I couldnt keep waiting for the axe to fall.
Oh, Alice! James said softly, embracing her. Youve lived with me five years and still dont know me. You really think Id leave you? I love you, and William, and nothing can change that. I understand why you did what you didyou were scared Id leave if I knew, thats all. Ours is real love, and nothing Emily says can ruin it, I promise.
Alice nestled against him with relief, dabbing her eyes. I just never want to see her again!
What are we going to tell my mum and dad? James asked, the question that haunted him. They adore our son. How will we explain any of this?
They did tell his parentsnot the whole story, though. A month and a half later, they simply shared that Alice was expecting again; their family would soon grow by another little one.
