Andrew, have you seen my blue scarf? The one you gave me last Christmas? Emily meticulously sorted through the wardrobe, pretending to be absorbed in her search.
Check the top shelf, behind the shoeboxes, Andrew called from the kitchen.You put it there after your last business trip.
Emily froze. There was an odd note in his voice. Was she imagining it? After fifteen years together, theyd learned to catch the faintest shifts in each others tone. Theyd also mastered the art of pretending not to notice.
Found it! she exclaimed after a moment.Right where you said. Youve got a remarkable memory for these things.
Occupational habit, Andrew smiled, stepping into the room with two mugs of coffee.A lorry driver needs a good memory. All those routes, turns, pit stops
*And all the excuses*, Emily added silently, but aloud she said something else entirely:
Guess what? Ive been sent to Manchester for work. Right before Christmas! The boss insists I go in personsome year-end report that needs finalising before the holidays.
She busied herself packing, avoiding his gaze. There was no report. There was James, a regional manager from Bristol shed met three years ago at a company party. Since then, theyd met every few months under the guise of business trips.
What a coincidence! Andrew sat on the edge of the bed, handing her a mug.Ive got a delivery to run to Leeds. Urgent cargoclients demanding it by the 29th.
Emily smiled faintly. She knew there was no urgent cargo. There was a phone left on the kitchen counter three months ago. Messages from a woman named Sophie, a dispatcher from Leeds. Photos Emily had glimpsed before slipping the phone back into place. From then on, shed known exactly where Andrew went on his so-called Leeds routes.
How long will you be away? Andrew asked casually.
Should be back by the 29th, she replied.Got to prepare for the holidays. You?
Ill aim for the 29th too.
They exchanged a smile. Both knew the other was lying. Emily had booked a hotel in Manchester until the 30th. Andrew had planned to spend several days with Sophie at her countryside cottage.
That evening, they sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea and discussing New Years plans. The conversation flowed effortlesslyyears of practice had perfected the illusion of a happy marriage.
Should we invite your parents over? Emily suggested.
Theyre visiting my sister in Brighton, Andrew shook his head.Yours?
My brother just had a babytheyre off to Edinburgh.
Both felt relief. No need for extra lies.
The train compartment was warm and cosy. Emily settled by the window with a book and a blanket. Ten minutes until departure. Outside, figures hurried past, voices and station announcements drifting in.
Excuse me, is this your bag? A womans voice came from the corridor.Left near the carriage entrance, I think.
No, mines with me, replied a mans voice, vaguely familiar to Emily.Let me help you find your seat.
Emily stiffened. That voice It couldnt be. She looked up just as the compartment door slid open.
Andrew stood there. Beside him, a woman in a stylish beige coatSophie, instantly recognisable from the photos. More striking in person: tall, slender, with wavy auburn hair and striking green eyes.
For a moment, the three of them stared in silence. Time stretched.
Quite the reunion! Emily broke the quiet, forcing calm into her voice, though her heart raced.I thought you were heading to Leeds?
I Andrew faltered, glancing between them.Route change. Last-minute.
Funny. I thought you were driving a lorry, Emilys smile didnt reach her eyes.Urgent cargo, wasnt it?
Just then, a tall man in an expensive navy coat peered in.Sorry Im late, love. Got held up in a meeting.
Andrews brows shot up. He knew exactly who this was.
James, the newcomer introduced himself, eyeing the odd gathering.And you are?
My husband, Andrew, Emily said coolly.And his colleague?
Sophie, the auburn-haired woman murmured.
A conductor appeared.Tickets, please. Theres been some confusion with the seating.
All four handed over their tickets. The conductor frowned.Strange. Youve all been assigned the same seats. System glitch, happens around the holidays. Ill have to reseat you.
Dont bother, Emily said firmly.Lets all stay and talk. Weve got things to discuss. Unless anyone objects?
Andrew exhaled.Might as well. Fates shoved us together.
James and Sophie exchanged uneasy glances but didnt protest.
The train pulled away. Four people, tangled in lies and secret rendezvous, sat in silence.
Well, Emily leaned back.Four hours ahead. Might as well be honest.
The first minutes were stifling. James pretended to check emails. Sophie twisted a pendant nervously. Andrew stared out at the passing countryside. Emily flipped pages without reading.
How long? Emily finally asked Sophie.
Four years. His lorry broke down near Leeds.
And you? Andrew eyed James.
Three years. Met at a work do in Manchester.
Funny, Emily smiled.We both started straying around the same time.
Why? James blurted.You two seem fine.
Fine, Andrew nodded.Exactly that. Like clockwork. Up, work, home, sleep. Repeat.
I missed the excitement, Emily admitted.We used to talk for hours. Then it became bills and weekend plans.
And I missed being asked how my day was, Andrew added.You never seemed to care about the drives.
Because I knew where you really were. Saw Sophies texts three months ago.
Found your Manchester hotel receipt. And the photos with James.
And you both just never said anything? Sophie looked stunned.
What was there to say? Emily shrugged.Darling, I know youre cheating, but dont worry, so am I?
Easier to pretend, Andrew admitted.We had our routines. Separate little joys
Little joys, Emily echoed.What about the big ones? Remember wanting a countryside house? A dog? Travel together?
I do, Andrew said softly.Every time I pass those cottages.
I still look at listings and imagine us there.
James and Sophie exchanged glances, suddenly feeling out of place.
Sophie and I never talked about the future, James admitted.Maybe because we knew there wasnt one.
Is there one for us? Emily asked Andrew.
He studied the passing fields before answering.Remember how we met? You missed the last train. I offered a lift in that old Ford.
Broke down halfway, Emily smiled.We sat for hours, talking about everything.
We could talk about anything. Then we just stopped.
Maybe its not too late to start again?
As the train slowed into Manchester, James stood.Ill go. Emily I think its best if we dont see each other again.
Same, Sophie added.Weve all gone too far already.
On the platform, Emily and Andrew watched them disappear into the crowd.
Home? Andrew finally asked.
What about your Leeds delivery?
No delivery. Just like your report.
I know. Emily took his hand.Theres a lovely house for sale in the Cotswolds. Two floors, garden. Room for a dog
A big one?
Huge. And a garage for your lorry.
They bought tickets home. Talked openly for the first time in years. About their mistakes, their fears, how much theyd missed each other.
Six months later, they moved into that Cotswolds house. Got a German shepherd. Made time for each other. Emily sometimes met Andrew after long hauls with homemade meals. He learned to ask about her day.
They realisedafter fifteen years, they were more than spouses. They were family. People who could forgive, understand, and start anew. That mattered more than fleeting affairs.
The strange, seemingly pointless train encounter became their storyone theyd recount on their porch years later. A story about how chance helped them rediscover what theyd always had. They just needed to learn to cherish it.
