Emma stood silently in the hallway, her arms crossed. The scent of tea lingered in the air, but the warmth had long faded.
“Right, Emma, it’s over between us,” David said, his voice firm. “I want a proper familychildren. You can’t give me that. I’ve waited five years, been patient. I need a son. The divorce papers are filed. Youve got three days to pack. Call me when you leave. Ill stay at Mums till then. Hurry upIve got to get the flat ready for the baby and her mother. Oh, dont look so surprised. My fiancées expecting!”
Emma said nothing. What could she say?
Children had never happened for them. Three failed attempts in five years. Doctors insisted she was healthy, yet nothing worked. Shed lived rightno smoking, no drinking. But this time, at work, shed collapsed. The ambulance came too late.
The door slammed behind David. Emma sank onto the sofa, drained. Packing felt impossible. Where would she even go? After university, shed lived with Aunt Margaretlong gone now, her flat sold by her son. Back to Grandmas cottage in the village? Rent somewhere? What about her job?
Questions swirled. Decisions had to be made quickly.
The next morning, her mother-in-law barged in.
“Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take whats not yours.”
“Your sons old boxers? Hardly a treasure. Shall I count my own knickers?”
“Cheeky cow! You used to be so meek. I told our Michael after the first timeyoud never give him a child.”
“Is that why you came? Sit quietly and watch, then.”
“Why are you taking the china?!”
“Its mine. Aunt Margaret left it to me.”
“Now the place will look bare!”
“Not my concern. Youll have a grandson soon.”
“Take only your things!”
“The laptops mine. The coffee machine, microwavegifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“Youve got everythingexcept the ability to bear children!”
“Thats none of your business. Maybe God had other plans.”
“You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?”
“Dont be absurd.” Emma scanned the room. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers Had she forgotten something?
The cat figurine. Inside it, a hidden setearrings and a ring. Not valuable, but precious. Grandmas keepsake. Michael always called it junk. Had he thrown it out?
“Whatre you looking for? Pack and go!” her mother-in-law snapped. “Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, goodbye. Youll never have anything like this again.”
The cat was on the balcony, untouched. Emma slipped it into her bag.
“Here are the keys. Goodbye. Lets not meet again.”
At the office, still on sick leave, she requested holiday time.
“Were sorry, but three weeks enough? Stay reachablehalf our projects need your input.”
“Fine. A distraction will help. Thanks.”
“Need anything?”
“No.”
“Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”
“Appreciate it.”
Emma didnt hunt for a flat. She drove straight to the village. No one waited thereGrandma had passed three years ago, and shed never known her mother, lost in childbirth.
Now, she couldnt conceive.
An hour later, she pulled up to the cottage. The apple tree. Tulips. Last autumn, she and David had barbecued here, laughing.
Inside, the silence was thick. Dirty cups on the table. Shed cleaned last timehad someone been here?
Two mugs, plates, juice cartons, Michaels favourite sparkling wine. Not from autumn.
Hed been here. With whom?
No matter now.
Only she had a key. He mustve copied it. Time for new locks.
A fresh start. Cleaning, then a hot bath, washing away the past.
A knock at the door.
“Everything alright?” a mans voice called.
“Yes?” Emma frowned.
A stranger stood outside. “Sorry, didnt mean to scare you. Im your neighbour. Saw smoke from the chimneyjust checking.”
“Thanks, Im fine.”
“Youre Michaels relative? He was here with his wife Sister?”
“Ex-wife. Almost ex.”
“The cottage yours?”
“Yes.”
“Im staying next door. Friends place. Divorce final tomorrow. Need help, just ask. Im James.”
“Emma. Actuallycan you change a lock?”
“Sure. Tell me when.”
“Tomorrow? Ill buy one.”
“Let me handle it. Might get the wrong one.”
Two weeks passed. A holiday week remained before returning to London. Emma grew fond of the cottage. Michael never calledjust a text with the divorce date.
Saturday morning, James invited her to the lake.
No plans for new romance, but a walk couldnt hurt. They returned for lunchMichaels car outside. He stepped out, helping a pregnant woman.
Emma and James reached the gate as Michael struggled with the lock.
“Whats this?” Emma asked.
“What are *you* doing here?” Michael froze.
“This is our cottage!” the woman shrilled.
“Yours? Did Michael tell you that? This is *my* home. Leave.”
“Michael, who is she?!” the woman wailed.
He bundled her into the car and sped off.
“Cheerful life hell have,” James remarked.
“But shell give him a child. I couldnt. Three tries.”
“We divorced because my wife didnt want kids.”
Four years later, in a supermarket, Emma bumped into her ex-mother-in-law.
“Emma! Hardly recognised you. Youre glowing. Are you?”
“Pregnant? Yes.” Emma rested a hand on her bump.
“Michaels boys poorly. Something wrong his wife left him with the baby. Youre doing this alone?”
“No. Ive a family waiting.”
“Ah. Im sorry for everything.”
“Good luck.”
As Emma walked away, James held her arm. A little girl, the image of her mother, clutched his other hand.
**Sometimes, the life you lose isnt the one you were meant to have.**
