Miscalculated
Emilys popping round this evening; should be here by seven. You dont mind, do you? Laura paused, setting down her hairbrush and glancing over at her husband, who was wrestling with the TV remote. Nick gave one of his trademark distracted nods, eyes glued to a football match.
Course not. Let her come round, he replied, barely missing a beat.
Laura smiled at her reflection and went back to fussing with her hair. She liked that her husband and her sister got on so well. Emily visited all the timesometimes two or three evenings a weekchattering till late, filling the flat with laughter and loud debates. Laura would catch snippets of them bickering about the latest binge-worthy show or arguing over politics, and every time, shed marvel at her luck. Reliable husband, beloved sister, solid familythe sort you get in soppy films, only for real.
Admittedly, from time to time, thered be a little niggle, a fleeting something that scratched at the back of her mind. Nothing much. Just the way Nick would lean in, hanging on Emilys stories from work. Or how Emily would touch Nicks arm when she found something funny. Their intense, whispered kitchen conversations that fizzled out the second Laura walked in. Shed shoo away the thoughts as nonsense. It was only Emily, after allher little sister, the same girl shed mothered practically since school. And Nick, well, he was her Nickfive years married, anniversary coming up soon.
That anniversary was what made her leave work early on that fateful evening. She fancied nipping to Tesco to pick up some bits for a special dinner. The idea of pulling something a little romantic out for once made her almost giddy.
Her key turned far too easily in the lock. Laura stepped into the hallway and froze. The flat felt suffocatingly quiet, the sort of silence that makes your ears ring. Somewhere in the living room, she heard muffled voices.
Laura slipped down the corridor, nudged open the door, and stopped dead.
Emily sat in Lauras favourite chair, as if it had always been hers; one leg crossed over the other, looking disconcertingly at home. Nick hovered by the windowwhen Laura appeared, he somehow melted even closer to the glass, as if hoping to turn invisible.
You two look like youve lost a fiver and found a penny, Laura attempted a smile, but her face wouldnt cooperate. Everything all right?
Emily turned, meeting her eyes. Gone was shy, sweet little Emily, whod always come to Laura for advice, whod sobbed on her shoulder every time her heart had been trampled by yet another hapless date. In her place sat a stranger, with a cold, triumphant smirk.
Yeah, somethings happened, Emily said coolly. Im pregnant, by your husband. So pack your bags. Im moving in now.
Her hand fell to her belly, still flat, hidden beneath an unremarkable jumper.
For several seconds, Laura couldnt move. Somewhere outside, a car tooted. The neighbours telly mumbled through the wall. The world soldiered on, oblivious, while she stood trapped in amber.
What?! she croaked, voice all wrong and scratchy.
You heard, Emily leaned back. Nick and I have decided everything. Time to stop faking it. Its tired.
Laura looked at Nick. He still wouldnt meet her eyes, his shoulders folding in on themselves, hands gripping the windowsill so hard his knuckles had gone white.
Nick, she took a shaky step towards him. Nick, for heavens sake, look at me.
At last he turned. There was nothing in his gaze but exhaustion and, perhaps, relief.
Laur, it just happened. Im sorry.
It just happened? Lauras voice sounded foreign, echoing around her head. Five years, Nick. Five years, and it just happened?
Oh, come on, Emily cut in, rolling her eyes. No need for the dramatics. Were all adults. People fall out of love, it happens. But Nick and Iwell, its different. Were serious.
Nick and Nicky. Shed called him Nicky. The same as Laura had.
How long? Lauras question barely made it out.
Emily smirked, glancing at Nick. A year. Maybe a bit more. Whats it matter?
A year. Every single late night, every bit of banter in the kitchen; those warm glances Laura had once chalked up to sibling-like camaraderie.
I thought you were my sister I thought you loved me, Lauras voice, somehow, gathered strength.
I do love you, Emily shrugged, blithely, in a manner that made Lauras vision darken. Just love myself more, and Nick too. To be honest, Laur, you can be a bit of a bore. All routine and order. Trust me, it grates after a while.
Laura lunged at Nick, grabbing him by the shirt to force him to face her.
Tell me shes lying. Tell me this is some monstrous, twisted joke!
Nick squirmed to break free, but Lauras grip only tightened.
Laura, let go. You know whats going on
I know nothing! she screamed, shoving him so hard he copped the window frame on his back. Five years, Nick! I gave up a job offer for you, nursed your mother for a month through her hip operation, and you
Her hand landed on a throw cushion. She flung it at him, missing by inches.
You slept with her in our bed, you absolute scoundrel!
Oh, do calm down, Emily said, rising from the chair and tugging her jumper back into place with unnecessary precision. The hysterics arent helping.
Laura whirled, snatching a framed photo from the shelf: the three of them in Christmas jumpers, arm in arm before a fake tree. Shed been laughing in that pictureproperly, dazzlingly happy.
I bloody raised you! The photo whizzed across the room, frame smashing spectacularly against the wall. Did your homework with you when Mum was doing double shifts! Protected you from bullies at school! And this is how you repay me?
Oh, spare me, scoffed Emily with a flick of her perfectly-manicured nails. Heard enough about your heroic sacrifices. Nicks always fancied vivacious girls, he just kept you around out of pity. At least Im upfront about it, not whispering behind closed doors.
Upfront? Laura started laughinga shrill, mad sort of laugh that even unsettled Nick. Sneaking around for a year is your version of honesty?
She grabbed a heavy crystal ashtraywedding gift from Nicks mumand hefted it.
Laura, put it down! Nick made a desperate dash, but too late.
The ashtray crashed into the cupboard, taking a few wine glasses with it.
And were only getting started, Laura panted, forehead slick with sweat. She attacked the bookshelf next, sweeping off albums, figurines, the holiday trinkets she and Nick had collected.
Laura, stop it! Nick tried to catch her hand.
Dont touch me! Not ever again!
For the first time, a look of real unease flickered over Emilys face as she backed towards the door.
Look, lets just talk this through. You need to leave now so we can sort things outNick and I need the flat, with the baby on the way. Please just pack
IM the one who needs to leave? Laura froze amidst the wreckage, shooting Emily such a withering look that her sister retreated further still.
Suddenly, clarity sliced through Lauras paina cold, sharp, refreshing clarity.
Tiny detail you seem to have forgotten, love, Laura smoothed a stray hair from her cheek and fixed both of them with a glare. This flats in my name. Bought it before Nick and I even got hitched, remember? He never bothered to mention, did he?
Emilys eyes darted to Nick, who looked as pale as supermarket milk.
So what? Were a family now. With a baby! We need a place more than you do!
Family? Lauras smile was brittle as a Hobnob. Go off and have your family somewhere else, then. Because now, both of you can kindly get out of my flat.
You cant kick us out! Im pregnant, for Gods sake! How could you? Emily went a bit shrill.
Shouldve thought about that before hopping into bed with my husband, Laura said, marching to the door and flinging it open. Out.
Nick scurried over, trying to play the sympathy card.
Laura, come on. Be reasonable. Ive nowhere to go, all my stuffs here Look, Ill call my solicitor
Knock yourself out. The flats mine, bought before the wedding, so good luck with that. As for your things, Ill let you know when to pick them up.
But
Out. Now. Both of you. Especially you and your blessed condition.
Emily snatched up her handbag and stormed for the exit, barking over her shoulder: Mumll hear about this! Shell never forgive you for what youve done to your own sister!
Well see.
Laura slammed the door after them and slumped to the floor, sobbing, shaking, exhausted.
Three days later, her mum rang up. Laura braced herself for the Spanish Inquisition.
Sweetheart? Her mums voice was bone-tired. Emilys told me her side of the story. Well, her version, anyway.
Mum, I
No, let me finish. I heard Emily out. Then I told her shes not welcome at mine until she wises up and gets down on her knees to beg your forgiveness.
Laura gasped, half-laughing, half-crying.
So youre on my side?
Obviously. Emilys been deplorable, but your Nicks no better. Hold your head high, love. Divorce the little worm, get on with your life. Youve got the flat. He can whistle for the rest. Youre strong, youll cope.
Laura slid down the wall and let herself cry, this time out of relief. For the first time, she didnt feel so aloneher mum had her back, after all. And that made all the difference.
