**Diary Entry 4th June, 2023**
*”What on earth are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone elses house?”*
That was the moment it truly ended. *”It’s over, Emily. I want a real familychildren. You cant give me that. Ive waited long enough. Ive filed for divorce. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when youre gone. Ill be staying at Mums in the meantime. Hurry upI need to prepare the flat for the baby and his mother. Oh, and dont look so shocked. My fiancée is already expecting!”*
Emily didnt say a word. What could she say?
Five years of trying. Three miscarriages. Every doctor in London had assured her she was perfectly healthyso why did it keep happening? Shed lived right, done everything by the book. And yet, this time, shed collapsed at work, the ambulance called too late.
The door slammed behind Michael, and she sank onto the sofa, numb. She had no energy to pack, no idea where to go. Before university and marriage, shed lived with her auntbut her aunt was gone now, the flat sold off by her cousin. Back to her grandmothers cottage in Cornwall? Hunt for a rental? What about her job?
Too many questions, and not enough time.
The next morning, her mother-in-law barged in. *”Oh good, youre awake. Im here to make sure you dont take anything that isnt yours.”*
*”Your sons old boxers? Hardly a treasure. Shall we do an inventory of my knickers next?”*
*”Cheeky cow! Always so meek before, werent you? I told Michael after the first timeyoud never give him a child.”*
*”Is that why you came? Then sit quietly and watch me pack.”*
*”Where do you think youre taking that china?!”*
*”Its mine. My aunt left it to me.”*
*”The place will look empty without it!”*
*”Not my concern. Youll have a grandson soon enough.”*
She packed only what was hersher laptop, the coffee machine, the microwave, gifts from colleagues. Her car, bought before the wedding. Michael had his own.
*”Youve got everythingexcept the ability to bear a child.”*
*”Thats no longer your business. Maybe God had other plans.”*
*”You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?”*
*”Thats a vile thing to say.”*
Finally, the flat was empty. Toothbrush, makeup, slippershad she forgotten something?
Then she remembered: the old porcelain cat. Inside it, hidden, were a pair of earrings and a ringworth little in pounds, but priceless as her grandmothers keepsake. Michael had always called it junk. Had he thrown it out?
*”What are you looking for out there? Take your things and go!”* her mother-in-law snapped. *”Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”*
The cat was still there, tucked away on the balcony. Relief.
*”Here are the keys. Goodbye. Lets never meet again.”*
She drove straight to the office, still on sick leave but requesting holiday instead.
*”Were all so sorry, butthree weeks, is that enough? Just stay reachable. Half our projects rely on you.”*
*”Fine. Ill manage. Thanks.”*
*”Need any help?”*
*”No.”*
*”Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”*
*”Thanks. Thatll help.”*
She didnt bother house-hunting. She drove straight to Cornwall. No one waited for her thereher grandmother had passed three years ago, and shed never known her mother, lost in childbirth.
Now, somehow, Emily couldnt carry a child of her own.
The cottage was just as she rememberedapple tree out front, tulips lining the path. The last time she and Michael had been here, theyd grilled sausages in the garden, laughing.
She pulled into the drive, unlocked the door. Silence. Dirty plates on the table. Had she left it like this? Noshed cleaned. Someone had been here.
Two mugs. Juice cartons. Bottles of Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Recent.
So hed been herewith whom?
Didnt matter now.
Only she had a key. He mustve made a copy. Time to change the locks.
New life. Cleaning. A hot bath to wash it all away.
A knock at the door startled her.
*”Everything alright in there?”* A strangertall, wary. *”Sorry. Im your neighbour. Saw the smoke from the chimney. Youve been gone a whilejust wanted to check.”*
*”Im fine, thanks.”*
*”Related to Michael? He was here recently with his wife. Sister?”*
*”Ex-wife. Almost ex.”*
*”This your place?”*
*”Yes.”*
*”Im just staying next door. Friends place. Divorce pending. Free tomorrow, actually.” He hesitated. *”Names Ian.”*
*”Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”*
*”Sure. Tell me when.”*
Two weeks passed. One more until shed return to London. She didnt want to leave. Michael hadnt calledjust a text with the divorce date. Fine by her.
Then, Saturday morning. Ian invited her for a walk by the lake. No intentionsjust company.
They returned to find Michaels car parked outside. A pregnant woman stepped out, clinging to his arm.
*”Whats this?”* Ian asked.
*”What are you doing here?”* Emily crossed her arms. *”Breaking into my house?”*
Michael froze.
*”This is ours!”* the woman shrilled.
*”Really? Did Michael tell you that? Its mine. Leave.”*
*”Michael, who is she? Get her out!”*
Emily and Ian laughed as Michael bundled her back into the car and sped off.
*”Hes in for a fun life,”* Ian muttered.
*”At least shell give him a child. I couldnt.”*
*”My wife left because she didnt want one.”*
Four years later, she bumped into her ex-mother-in-law at Tesco.
*”Emily! Hardly recognised you. You look different. Are youpregnant?”*
*”Yes.”* She rested a hand on her rounded belly.
*”Michaels boy hes poorly. Something wrong, the doctors said. His wife left him with the baby. Youre doing this alone?”*
*”No. Ive got a family waiting.”*
*”Oh. Im sorry.”*
*”Good luck.”*
As she walked away, Ian held her arm gently, their little girl clutching Emilys hand, the spitting image of her mother.
**Lesson learned:** Life has a way of balancing the scales. Whats taken from you in one season is returned in anotherjust not always in the way you expect.
