**Diary Entry**
“You’re so lucky, Sophie,” Natasha sighed wistfully. “Your husband picks you up from work every day. The flats just been done up. And you got that promotion. Honestly, Im a bit jealousbut in a good way, you know?”
Sophie kept packing her bag. Andrew would be here in five minutes, and she didnt want to keep him waiting.
“Dont be silly, Nat. Weve had our rows toonearly split up during the renovations. And that promotion? Five years of grinding for it. You werent even hired when I set my sights on that role. Grass isnt always greener.”
Natasha pouted like a child. “You dont see how good youve got it. My Mike? Lazy, messy, burns through money like its nothing. Six months Ive been begging him to find decent work. And what does he say? Tired of working for some blokewants to start his own business. With what, his gaming budget?” She scoffed. “Businessman, my foot.”
Sophie studied her. Theyd only known each other a year, but shed grown fond of Natashaand heard every detail of her marriage. Mike truly was a nightmare.
“Itll work out, Nat,” Sophie said as her phone buzzed. “Andrews here. See you Monday.”
Natasha nodded, watching her leave with a strange, thoughtful look Sophie didnt catch.
In the car, Andrew frowned. “Something happen at work?”
Sophie shook her head. “Just Natasha. Mikes driving her mad. Dont think shell last much longer.”
Andrew shrugged. “Not our problem.”
Sophie shot him a look. His coldness grated sometimes, but she let it go. Arguing over Natasha wasnt worth it.
A month later, Natasha arrived at work red-eyed. “Were divorcing,” she blurted. “Mike kicked me outlike I was nothing! Where am I supposed to live?”
Sophie hugged her. “Stay with us. Sort things out properly, yeah?”
Natasha sobbed. “Soph, I dont know what Id do without you.”
Sophie patted her back, already dreading Andrews reaction.
He wasnt thrilled, but stayed quiet over dinner. Natasha prattled on, mixing complaints about Mike with praise for the flat.
“Mike never lifted a finger in five years. But this place? Stunning. Youve got real taste.”
Sophie flushedshed designed most of it. The praise warmed her.
Natasha turned out to be the perfect guest: quiet, tidy. By day three, she took over cooking.
“Making stew tonight,” she chirped from the backseat. “Got everything we need. God, its brilliant not taking the bus anymore. Proper upgrade.”
Sophie smiled. Natasha had settled in quickly but made it clear she wasnt overstaying. She was already flat-hunting.
Dinners grew livelier. Natasha and Andrew bonded over music, dissecting albums for hours. Sophie watched, amazedher introvert husband rarely opened up like this.
Then she saw them snogging in the car park.
“Couldve at least picked a less public spot,” she said dryly.
They sprang apart like teenagers caught by a teacher. Andrew stammered, “Soph, its not”
“Checking each others fillings? With your tongues?” Sophie cut in. “Nat, I let you into my home, helped youand this is how you repay me?”
Natasha lifted her chin. “Love just happened, alright? Andrew said hes happier with me. Admitted he hasnt felt like this in ages.”
Andrew paled. “Natasha, whatSoph, love, I”
“Save it,” Sophie snapped. “Im staying at Mums. Pack your thingsand take the bedsheets. I dont want to imagine.” She held out her hand. “Keys.”
Andrew handed them over silently. As Sophie drove off, Natashas voice carried:
“Why should we leave? Its his flat too!”
At her mums, Sophie cried into endless cups of tea. “Why did I even help her? This is all my fault.”
Her mum rubbed her back. “You couldnt have known, love.”
“I lost my husband and my friend.”
“Youll get through this.”
The next morning, Sophie dragged herself to work. Natasha pounced immediately.
“We need to talk! Why should we move out? Youre the one who should leaveits Andrews flat too!”
Sophie kept her voice steady. “Not here, Nat.”
She avoided her all day. At home, Andrew was packing.
“Soph, maybe we can fix this? I swear itll never”
“No, Andrew. Ill always wonder now. Is he cheating? Eyeing someone else? Thats no life.”
The doorbell rang. Natasha stormed in.
“Answer me! Why are we leaving? This is his home too!”
Sophie almost laughed. “Oh, I see. You envied methe husband, the flat, the carso you nicked half by stealing him. Clever.”
Natashas silence said everything.
“Small flaw in your plan. The flats minebought before marriage. The cars from my inheritance. Andrew drove it because I hate to. So all youve won is Andrew. Congrats.”
Natasha gaped. “You lied! You always said our flat!”
“I thought of it as ours. Didnt think details mattered.” Then it hit her. “Waityou didnt even leave Mike, did you? This was your scheme?”
Natasha flushed. “You flaunted your lifeof course I wanted it! What did you expect?”
Sophie barked a laugh. “Shouldve done your homework, love. Too late now. Both of youout.”
Natasha shrieked curses as Andrew dragged her away. His last glance begged forgiveness, but the ashes of their marriage were already cold.
**Lesson learned:** No good deed goes unpunished.
