The engine hummed soothingly, filling the car with the scent of leather and air freshener. Grey tarmac streaked with white lines rushed past beneath the wheels as the sun climbed lazily, promising a warm summer day. Emily leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.
“Have a nap. Still twenty minutes to go,” said James to his wife.
“I’d rather sleep at home in my own bed. It is our day off, after all. You could’ve gone alone—these are your friends, not mine,” Emily replied without opening her eyes.
“What would I do there without you? Everyone’s bringing their wives. I thought you and Sophie got on well. Besides, nothing beats a day out in nature, not stuck in bed.” James paused. “It’s been ages since we all caught up. Remember how it used to be? Oh, and Tom’s bringing his new wife. Did I tell you? No? Imagine—he actually got married. Can’t wait to see who finally tied him down.”
Emily took in the news, sat up straight, and opened her eyes.
“Have you seen him since?”
“Briefly, no time for a proper chat. I just miss the old days, you know? Sitting round the campfire with a guitar. Those were the times,” James sighed.
“Now you’ll start meeting every weekend again,” Emily grumbled.
“Come off it. What’s wrong with that? We’ve been mates since uni. Known each other forever. When your mum was ill, Tom didn’t even blink—just handed over the cash for her surgery.”
Emily leaned back again.
“That’s true. Tom’s a good bloke. But Ian and Sophie…”
“What’s wrong with them?” James sounded surprised.
“Like they’re playing house rather than being a proper family. Something’s off, I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Never noticed. Seems fine to me. You know Sophie and Tom used to date, right? Proper love story—everyone thought they’d marry after first year. Then it fell apart. Sophie ended up with Ian.”
“You never mentioned that.” Emily turned to him.
“Ancient history. Water under the bridge.” James fell silent.
The engine droned on, and Emily shut her eyes again. She opened them when the car jolted off the tarmac onto a dirt track. Pines stood like a thick wall on either side, blocking out the sun.
“I forgot how beautiful it is here,” Emily gasped.
“Told you.” James’s voice brimmed with pride, as if he’d arranged the scenery himself.
The gate to the property stood open—they were expected. James parked beside two other cars by the fence. Everyone was already here. Tom hurried towards them from the house, arms wide as if he meant to hug the car.
“Finally! We were about to leave without you.” Tom clapped James on the back. “Bloody hell, you’re aging backwards. How do you do it?” He flashed Emily a grin. “Why’d you bring so much food? We’ve got enough to last a week. Oh well, hand over the bags—never hurts to have extra.”
Laden with groceries, the three walked to the house. A barbecue stood ready in the clearing, a bag of charcoal beside it. Under the shade of an apple tree, a wooden table was set with wicker chairs.
Sophie and a young woman appeared in the doorway, arms piled high with cushions and blankets.
“Oi! James, Emily, hello!” Sophie called.
The air filled with chatter and laughter, everyone talking at once.
“Right, ladies, you lot sort things here—us lads are off fishing,” Tom announced.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake…” Sophie drawled.
“We won’t be long. Just a quick catch-up, bloke talk. Don’t miss us too much. We’ve done our bit—marinated the meat, set up the barbecue, hauled the supplies. Your turn now.”
“Girls, fancy a drink to break the ice?” Sophie plonked a bottle of red wine on the table as the men left.
“Oof, I’d rather have white. Red gives me a headache,” said Lily, the youngest and newest to the group.
“Brought some just for you. Hang on.” Sophie disappeared inside.
“D’you know her well?” Emily asked Lily, nodding towards the house.
“A bit. She’s popped round ours a couple of times.”
“Really?” Emily frowned. From the car chat, she’d gathered they’d only just returned from their honeymoon.
“Two weeks ago,” Lily said.
“Ta-da!” Sophie reappeared with a bottle of white.
They clinked glasses, then set to planning the meal. Sophie took charge, and Emily noticed she made a point of asserting herself—like she needed to remind Lily who the alpha female was. It grated on Emily, but she stayed quiet. Best way to suss Lily out.
Once the table was laid, salads prepped, and cutlery set, they relaxed, waiting for the men. What do three women talk about? Men, of course.
“Watch yourself, Lily. Your husband’s a proper charmer. Lost count of the girls he’s brought round. All men cheat, darling, every last one,” Sophie sighed.
“Don’t scare her like that!” Emily cut in.
“Does yours cheat?” Lily asked bluntly.
“Cheeky mare. You’ll see soon enough,” Sophie shot back, throwing Emily a look.
Lily studied her oddly but said nothing.
“If I ever found out James cheated, I’d probably forgive him. Dunno,” Emily said, steering the conversation away.
“James wouldn’t dare. Men like him don’t stray,” Sophie said airily.
“If they all cheat, why bother divorcing? Being alone’s worse. You’d just end up with another who’d do the same. Why swap one problem for another? I know James inside out—we’ve worn smooth together. Who knows what the next one’d be like?”
“Not all of them cheat,” Lily insisted.
“How would you know? You’ve barely been married five minutes,” Sophie scoffed. “Wait till the honeymoon phase wears off. The snoring, the laundry piles, his annoying habits—you’ll feel sick just looking at him.”
“Cheaters are just insecure. Need to prove something…” Lily held her ground.
“Listen to her, fresh out of nappies and lecturing us!” Sophie huffed, glancing at Emily for backup.
“Play nice, girls,” Ian’s voice chimed in behind them.
All three shrieked and spun round.
“Where’s the fish?” Sophie demanded.
“Did we promise fish? Said we were going fishing—never mentioned bringing any back,” Tom said with a wink, and everyone laughed.
The mood lifted, the noise and cheer returning. The men changed, fired up the barbecue, and got to work on the meat while the women brought out salads, cold cuts, and fruit.
As the sun dipped behind the pines, the group, merry and full of kebabs, broke into song. Tom led with his smooth baritone—*”You’re the one for me…”*—while the others joined in. Lily gazed at her husband, starry-eyed, oblivious to all else.
But Emily noticed how Sophie watched Tom. *Nope, not over him,* she thought. *At least not on her side.*
“This is brilliant. Missed this so much. Love you lot… Let’s toast to friendship!” Ian yelled when the song ended.
But the bottles were empty.
“I’ll fetch more,” Sophie said, darting inside.
“Don’t forget Lily’s white!” Emily called after her. “I’ll help.” She followed, intent on pulling Sophie up privately. No need for Lily to see her blatantly eyeing Tom. Best avoid a scene.
Emily crept onto the porch, quiet as a cat, though she wasn’t sure why. She turned right into the kitchen nook and froze in the doorway. Sophie, oblivious, fumbled with a bottle of white wine. Then she pulled a small vial from her jeans pocket, unscrewed it, and tipped pills into the bottle.
“What the hell are you doing?” Emily gasped.
Sophie jumped, pills scattering across the table. “Christ! Don’t shout!” She peered out the window. “It’s just sleeping tablets.”
“Lily’s the only one drinking white. You’re drugging her? Still in love with Tom, are you? Or—wait. You’re still seeing him.”
“Who am I, then? Go on, say it.” Sophie’s voice shook. “I won’t let her have him. He’s mine. Loved him since uni.”
“Then why marry Ian?” Emily asked evenly.
“Stupid, wasn’t I? Wanted to hurt Tom. Got pregnant—he didn’t want the baby. The abortion… went wrong. I can’t have kids now.”
“God, Sophie. I didn’t know.” Emily stepped closer, squeezing her shoulders.
“Don’t tell anyone. Thought if she slept, I’d have one night with Tom, like before. Thought I could move on. But I can’t—it’s agony.” She shoved EmilySophie wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Right then, let’s get back out there before they start wondering,” and with that, she squared her shoulders and walked back to the others, leaving the past where it belonged.
