**Diary Entry Reckoning**
I sighed as my husband, James, pulled on his jacket.
“Listen, Beth, I promised a colleague Id help with their move today.”
“*Today?*” I asked, folding my arms.
“Theyve just bought a new two-bed flat. His wifes due any day now.”
“And last Saturday, you were christening someones new car. All your colleagues seem so successfulnew cars, big flats. Funny how we never manage that, isnt it?”
“Dont start, Beth. I swear, next weekend, its just us.” He tried to pull me into a hug, but I stepped back.
“Somehow, I dont believe you. Every weekend, theres some *urgent* excuse.”
His face darkened. “Fine. Want me to call and cancel?”
“No. You promisedgo.”
The moment I said it, his mood lifted.
“Youre an angel, Beth. So Ill head off then?” He leaned in for a kiss, but I pressed a hand to his chest.
“Just dont forget your promise for next weekend.”
***
Wed all met at universityme, James, and Daniel. The usual story: Daniel fancied me, I fancied James. We sat together in lectures, went to the cinema, and theyd both walk me home. One night, Daniel confessed his feelings.
“Sorry,” I said. “But its James for me.”
“Fair enough. Cant force these things,” he muttered.
After that, Daniel kept his distanceskipping lectures, avoiding me. If he did tag along to the pub, hed leave early.
James had a small flat inherited from his granddad. The whole group used to crash there. Id visit but never stayed over, no matter how much he pleaded. Then, one New Years Eve, I did. Soon after, I moved in.
Daniel rarely came round. Couldnt stand seeing us happy, even if James was his mate.
“So, whens the wedding?” he asked at our graduation drinks.
“Were fine as we are, right, Beth?” James answered for us both.
I looked down, silent.
“Thats rubbish. Every girl dreams of a wedding. Beth, ditch himmarry me instead,” Daniel blurted.
James shot him a glare, then fished a ring from his pocket.
“Actually, Ive been meaning to propose. Beth, will you?”
I flushed with joy. “Of course.” I didnt notice Daniel slip away.
Two months later, he was our best man.
“Beth, if he ever hurts you, tell me,” he said at the reception.
“Planning to marry anyone yourself?” I teased.
“Oh, hes waiting for us to divorce,” James laughed. “Keep waiting, mate.”
“Enough,” I cut in, dragging James to the dance floor.
Three months into our marriage, Daniel turned up on my birthday with two dozen red roses. After the guests left, James fumed for hours.
“Everyone noticed how chuffed you were with those.”
“Dont be daft. I love *you*.”
“Hope so,” he muttered.
Three years passed. We were happy, mostlybut rows over his jealousy became routine. He hated any man looking at me. Wanted me pregnant, homebound. I wanted to work first, build my career.
Lately, James had been off. Vanishing every weekend. If he stayed, hed sulk, picking fights.
“Daniel, is James seeing someone?” I asked one evening.
“Dont be sillyhe adores you,” he said, avoiding my eyes.
“Youre a terrible liar.”
***
Another weekend, another excuse. I cleaned furiously, trying not to think. The doorbell rangDaniel stood there, awkward.
“You? Wheres James?”
“Hes not here?” He rubbed his neck. “Mind if I come in?”
Over tea, the silence thickened.
“Beth I still fancy you,” he said suddenly.
“Daniel, I thought youd moved on.”
“Just wanted you to know.”
“Theres something else.” He stared into his mug. “James thinks youre cheating. Asked me to test you.”
I scoffed. “So *thats* why youre here?”
“He begged me to flirt with you. See if youd bite. I refused at first, but”
“You *agreed*?”
“Only to talk! Id neverBeth, Im telling you because its wrong.”
I kicked him out, seething. James thought *I* was the one straying?
That evening, James came home, oddly energetic for someone whod supposedly hauled furniture all day.
“Move go alright?”
“Yep.”
“Didnt even celebrate?”
“His wifes pregnant, like I said.”
“Daniel dropped by. Why didnt you ask him to help?”
James stiffened. “He said he was busy. Whyd he come?”
“Just chatted. Made him tea.”
He bolted to the shower.
I stewed for days. Thenrevenge. A plan formed. Eva, a flirty coworker with zero scruples, agreed to help.
“Sure you want this?” she grinned.
“Just let me catch you two. Nothing *real*.”
Saturday came. I told James Id babysit for a friend, then left Eva to it.
But pacing the shops, guilt gnawed at me. This wasnt *me*. I rushed back
and found them on the sofa, Evas dress askew.
“Beth!” James scrambled up.
“Expecting someone else?”
Eva smoothed her hair, smirked, and left.
“Beth, its not”
“Save it. Were done.”
I moved in with my parents. Within a week, James had another woman in *our* flat.
New Years Eve. I planned to drown in champagne aloneuntil Daniel arrived with a tiny, tinsel-strewn tree.
“Knew youd be here,” he said.
We drank at midnight, laughing like old times.
A year later, we married. Nine months after that, twin girls arrived.
Turns out, sometimes revenge isnt pettyits clarity.
