Emily set a plate of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table and slid into the seat opposite James. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. She lifted her chin with the back of her hand and gave a small, hopeful smile.
James glanced up from his phone.
Whats the story? And why does she have you so wrapped up? he asked.
Isnt she brilliant? Emilys eyes lit up. We chatted yesterday and it turned out we share everything she loves rock climbing, goes to the same gym I used to visit, reads the same books. Its as if someone copied my taste and dropped her into my office.
James chuckled, reaching for his coffee.
Thats great. Youve needed a work mate for ages, he said.
Exactly! Emily picked up her fork but didnt bite. She wanted to keep talking. Shes also mad about hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. The way she talks, its all honesty, no showoff.
James nodded, tearing off a piece of toast.
Sounds perfect. Can you introduce us? he asked.
Of course. How about a dinner this weekend? Ill cook, well chat, youll meet her.
Deal, James replied lightly. Why not?
Emily smiled, turning back to the eggs. Inside, everything felt like a celebration: a job she loved, a boyfriend of three years, and now a new friend who seemed to fit as naturally as a glove. Life felt almost flawless.
Two weeks later Emily hosted the dinner at her flat in Camden. She scrubbed the rooms until they gleamed and prepared Jamess favorite roast chicken with rosemary. Claire arrived bearing a bouquet of tulips and a homemade cake.
Emily, this place is so cosy! Claire exclaimed, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Emily laughed and took the flowers.
Thanks. James, this is Claire. Claire, meet James.
James extended his hand, his smile warm.
Its a pleasure. Emily has told me so much about you I feel Ive known you a hundred years.
The feelings mutual, Claire replied, shaking his hand. She says youre the most patient man alive.
James winked at Emily. Patience is a must with a whirlwind like her.
The evening slipped by effortlessly. James and Claire discovered a shared love of vintage cinema and seventies rock, swapping favorite titles and debating which guitarist ruled the airwaves. Emily watched them from between, her grin never fading. Her two favourite people were getting along. What could be better?
From that night they began meeting as a trio movies, gallery openings, weekend hikes. James even started suggesting outings with Claire, insisting they never ran out of things to do together.
Emily beamed.
But slowly, odd little changes crept in. James began staying late at the office more often, the evenings he once left promptly now stretched into the night. Texts grew sparse, calls rarer. When Emily broached plans a new flat, a wedding James answered with brief, evasive remarks, as if the subjects weighed him down.
Claire shifted too. Occasionally Emily caught Claires glance lingering on her, a quick, evaluative flicker, as if something unsaid hovered there. Claire would smile again and steer the conversation elsewhere.
One evening Emily lounged in the living room while James cooked in the kitchen. His phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up with a message.
Emilys eyes skimmed it automatically. Claire. Time just before midnight. Thanks for today, it read, curt and brief.
Emilys heart clenched. She set the phone down, staring at the wall. What did it mean? When had they last seen each other? James had said hed been held up at work.
She tried to push the thought away, convincing herself it was nothing more than a friendly text between colleagues. She told herself she was being paranoid, that they were just good friends. Yet the knot remained.
In March the three of them drove up to a cabin on the shores of Windermere, a trip theyd planned for months. Emily dreamed of forest walks and fireside nights; Claire was eager from the start, and James was all in. They rented a cosy cottage, bringing tents and climbing gear.
From the first day the atmosphere felt off. Emily watched James and Claire exchange glances, their conversations pausing whenever she entered the room. The next morning, while she rested after a climb, James escorted Claire to an old chapel the local ranger had mentioned.
Emily nodded, but something tightened inside her.
On the final night they gathered around the fire. Both James and Claire wore guilty, bewildered expressions. James avoided Emilys gaze; Claire did the same. Emily tried to draw them out, but their replies were monosyllabic.
That night Emily lay awake, convinced something vital had cracked beyond repair.
A week after returning, James messaged: Emily, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
Emily sat at her desk, eyes glued to the screen, a cold dread curling in her stomach.
At five oclock she arrived at the café on the South Bank. James was already seated by the window, Claire opposite him.
Emily stopped in the doorway, a flash of impulse urging her to turn and leave, but her legs carried her to the table. She slid into the seat, coat still on.
Whats happening? she demanded.
She flicked her gaze between James and Claire, both wearing remorseful faces. James fidgeted with a napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces, before finally looking up.
Emily, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Emily clenched her fists under the table.
In Windermere we finally realised weve fallen for each other, James whispered. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Claires eyes filled with tears, mascara running down her cheeks.
Emily, Im sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us.
Claire reached out.
Emily pulled her hand back, anger, betrayal and raw pain mingling in a choking lump in her throat.
Stronger than us? Emily snapped, looking at both of them. You were behind my back while I was planning our future? While I was dreaming about a wedding, kids, a life together? How could you both live with yourselves?
James flinched. We didnt want to
Didnt want to? Emilys voice rose, echoing through the quiet café. A few patrons glanced over, but she didnt care. You were meeting in secret, texting at night! And now you act like it was accidental? This is betrayal, James. The worst thing you could do to me.
James stared at the table, his voice low. I know. I know Ive been selfish. I cant keep lying. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Emily turned to Claire. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Claire sobbed, covering her face with her hands.
Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We were just talking, spending time, and then it turned into something more.
Emily pushed her chair back with a screech, grabbed her bag, and stood.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She walked out into the cold London night, tears streaming down her face, refusing to wipe them away. She moved forward without looking back, the city lights blurring as she headed for the Underground.
The next day Emily submitted a transfer request to the Manchester branch of her firm. Her manager was surprised but didnt question her; her reputation was solid, and the transfer was approved swiftly.
Claire tried to call, but Emily blocked the number. James sent a few messages; she deleted them unread. He collected his things from her flat while she was out, leaving the apartment empty. Emily returned to a silent flat, standing in the middle of the room, staring at the spot where his shoes had once rested.
Two weeks later Emily was in Manchester, unpacking in a new flat. Her parents were uneasy, but she was determined to start over, away from the ghosts of James and Claire.
The first months were hard. She threw herself back into climbing, this time alone, finding solace on the rock faces. It helped.
One afternoon a mutual acquaintance from London messaged her: James and Claire had moved in together and were living as a couple for two months now.
Emily read the note and turned off her phone.
The ache didnt disappear, but it dulled. She no longer spent sleepless nights replaying that cafe scene. She kept moving, day by day, step by step.
Emily hadnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; shed lost faith in peoples honesty, in the idea that friendship could be pure, that love wouldnt be so easily broken.
She decided to rebuild her life, this time choosing new companions with far more caution.
The pain would linger for a long time, but Emily knew she would survive. She had no other choice.
