The mysterious messages of a husband
James and Emilys morning started off in chaos. They had both slept through the alarm and now dashed around their small London flat, scrambling to get ready for work while packing their son Henrys things for nursery.
James, can you pick Henry up today, please? Emily called from the bedroom, hurriedly pulling on her trousers while stuffing a change of clothes into Henrys rucksack.
Alright! Where are my keys? James hollered back.
I havent seen them! Emily replied, her tone tight with stress as she rifled through drawers for her mobile. She finally snatched it up and went to dress Henry, who sat on the floor cheerfully pushing his cars around, oblivious to the morning uproar.
They barely made it to the nursery in five minutes. Emily fumbled with Henrys zip, but it was jammed. She looked up to see his blue eyes filling with tears.
Mummy, I dont want to go, Henry whimpered, brow furrowed, fists tightly balled.
Darling, please, not today. Were running late! Emily tried to sound calm, though her voice trembled. She crouched, stroking his head, hoping to comfort him. Youll have so much fun with your friends, I promise.
But Henry wouldnt budge. He clung to her, growing more upset. The nursery teacher soon appeared, flashing a kind smile as she took Henrys hand.
Dont worry, Emily, she said gently. Well take good care of him. Come on, Henry, everyones waiting for you.
Emily exhaled, the relief almost immediately replaced by fresh anxiety. She glanced at her watch, muttering, Oh no, Im later than ever
As she hustled towards the door, she fished out her phone to ring a client and warn shed be latebut the wallpaper wasnt hers. In the rush, she and James had swapped phonesso much for those matching cases and passwords.
Brilliant, Emily muttered, feeling the stress mount as she considered how to get the clients number. Shed have to call James on his phone and ask him to send it.
At that moment, her phoneJamessvibrated in her hand. A message flashed on the screen:
Dave: So hows it going with the girl from the gym? Did she give you her number?
Emily froze, reading the notification again and again. Her hands shaking, she opened the conversation.
Dave: Did you manage to win her round then?
James: Yeah, she gave me her number. We arranged to meet this weekend. At mine.
Emilys heart clenched as she reread the words. This weekend? She was meant to take Henry to her mums for a sleepover
She whispered, Oh God I wish I hadnt seen that. Stupid phone covers
Every glance at James became torture. Three days until Saturday. She tried convincing herself shed misunderstood, that there had to be some explanation. Yet the words rang in her mind: This weekend. At mine.
James didnt seem any differentstill warm, attentive, helping with dinner, tucking Henry in, asking after her day. Each hug, every gentle word, felt slightly off, as though it masked a secret.
On Wednesday evening, they watched a film. James wrapped his arm round her, as he always did. Emily blinked back tears, feeling fragile and alone in the embrace that had once comforted her. Everything he did now seemed rehearsed or insincere.
Friday evening, after Henry was asleep, Emily stood by the sink, letting the tap run, lost in thought. James came up behind her, arms slipping round her waist.
Youre looking a bit down today. Is everything okay?
She stiffened.
Fine, just a long week, she managed, forcing a smile.
I get it, he replied gently, kissing the top of her head.
That night, as James slept peaceful beside her, Emily slipped quietly out of bed and locked herself in the bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the bath, she let out all the pain shed bottled up.
Why? she whispered brokenly, through sobs. Why now?
She turned everything over in her mind, unable to find answers. What should she say? Should she confront him, or simply leave? The uncertainty gnawed at her.
All she knew was, by morning, shed have to put her mask back on. Tomorrow, the truth would reveal itself.
Saturday dawned. Emily dropped Henry at her mums, her mood heavy and slow. Her mother eyed her keenly.
Is everything alright, Em? she asked as she caught Emily at the door.
Emily forced a brittle smile. Fine, Mum, just rushing. Big surprise for James, you know… She kissed Henry goodbye and hurried to the car, afraid to linger.
The drive home was a blur of nerves. Maybe James was just meeting Dave? Maybe the girl wouldnt show, or shed misunderstood? Part of her hoped shed come home to some innocent explanationmaybe shed catch him out, but maybe not. Part of her just wanted this all to be a mistake so she could keep their happy family intact.
She sat in the car outside their flat, reluctant to move. Her mind replayed happier times: Jamess laughter in the kitchen, their walks in Hyde Park with Henry, evenings together watching TV. Everything felt fragile now, as though her happiness might shatter if she stepped inside.
Eventually, with trembling hands, she unlocked the door and crept upstairs. The flat was dim, a soft lamp sending a pool of light across the kitchen. She heard muffled voices, laughtera womans, and a mans. Her pulse raced.
Its happening, she thought, dizzy with dread.
Step by step, as if moving through fog, she walked down the hallway, steeling herself for what shed find. Her whole being resisted, but Emily pressed on, her heart pounding.
James? she murmured, her own voice sounding almost robotic.
She tried again, louder, James?!
No answer came, so she stepped into the kitchen. There, she saw two figures: a man and a woman. The man wasnt Jamesit was Dave, Jamess best friend. Emily paused, thrown off guard. Dave spun round quickly, visibly startled.
Emily! Its not what you think… I justEmily, you know what its like at ours! I couldnt bring her to minemy mums always there… he babbled.
But Emily barely heard him. For a moment, she just stared, her head ringing. She registered her cheeks were wet with silent tears but, oddly, found herself smiling.
I see, Dave, she said quietly, emotion choking her words. Im going now.
She turned and slipped out of the flat. The brisk autumn air stung her face; she was lost in confusion. Hands shaking, she dialled Jamess number.
Hello? His voice was warm and familiar, and Emily found herself unable to string together the questions shed planned. All that came out was a helpless, vulnerable confession:
I love you. I really love you
Between tears and laughter, she tried to explain, but all her anxiety and dread just bubbled out.
I was at home… Daves there she whispered.
Understood Dont be upset, please. I swear Im at the office. Come over, darling. Please, dont be angry… You know Dave. Will you come?
Im on my way
She practically ran to the car, desperate just to hold her husband.
Later, Emily and James sat together on the floor of the office conference room, a bottle of red wine open between them. Emily, her head on his shoulder, twirled the stem of her glass slowly.
Im sorry, she blurted, wiping her eyes. I never used to snoop I just couldnt help myself.
Its me who should be apologising, James replied. I shouldve told you about Dave right from the start.
But why did he ask you?
Hes my mate. He mucked things up big time with that girlspilled an energy drink on her, ruined her brand new white suit. She was furioushe completely panicked. James, help me! I cant talk to her, Im rubbish! You know what hes like, James laughed, mimicking his friends voice. Emily laughed too.
So I stepped in, played mediator, got her number, made Dave look alright, added a joke or twoand sorted.
But why bring her to our flat? Couldnt they at least go to a hotel?!
Do you not remember why he still lives with his mum? James raised a brow.
To save rent. And so shell do his washing, cook him proper meals…
Exactly, James grinned, shaking his head. Hes tighter than a drum, that one.
Weve been friends since primary schoolprobably only me whos ever seen that side of him.
Emily smiled, shaking her head. Right, and tell mewhat if theyre still there? Im not sleeping in your office all night But Im not ready to go home yet either. Let Dave clear out first.
James kissed her gently. Well, Im not as stingy as him. Weve earned a romantic evening. Lets get away for the night, just you and me.
Seriously? A hotel?
He nodded, then scooped her up, making her squeal with laughter.
Ill get you there safe and sound, I promise!
Her laughter echoed down the office hallway, disbelief and relief flooding her. Just a couple of hours ago, shed genuinely thought her family was falling apart.
Sometimes, the shadows we imagine are darker than real life. And sometimes, when trust teeters, a little honesty and a lot of laughter can reforge bonds we thought were broken. In the end, Emily realised that love wasnt about never doubting, but about finding your way back to each other, no matter how lost you get.
