Tom, can you believe it? Paul and Amy are arriving for the weekend! I say, holding my phone and grinning at Lucy.
Really? It feels like ages since weve seen them five years? she smiles. Well, well have plenty to catch up on.
Yes, theyve been longing for a getaway. Paul keeps moaning that everything in their town is getting worse. Weve managed to break out, while theyre stuck in the mud, I explain.
Where will they stay? Lucy asks.
Honestly, I offered them our flat straight away. Youre fine with that, arent you? I wink.
If theyve already decided without me, Im in. Lets give them a proper capital weekendshow them around, let them see what a bit of effort and work can buy, Lucy replies, pride flashing in her eyes. Weve moved, settled, and are living reasonably well, despite what the naysayers say about provincial life.
The flat gleams for their arrival. Ive scrubbed every surface, pulled fresh linen from the wardrobe to spread on the sofa, bought a cosy throw so they wont feel the chill, and added a couple of new pillows for comfort. Were treating their visit like a family reunion.
Saturday morning, the intercom buzzes. A minute later Paul and Amy stand in the hallway. Paul is in an old tracksuit that would have been out of fashion in London ten years ago; Amy wears tight jeans and a clingy top, looking sour and annoyed as she scans the corridor.
Hey, come in, youre welcome guests, I say.
Wow, even better than I imagined, Paul says, tossing his battered trainers aside and flashing holey socks.
Amy walks deeper into the flat, glances around silently and asks, Is this yours?
No, its ours. We bought it on a mortgage, I answer. Shall we head to the table? Tea, coffee?
Coffee, Amy says.
Ill need something stronger, Paul nudges me on the shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere relaxes. We swap news.
This place feels like a different life, Lucy says.
The air even seems fresher. People here smile more, I think, Amy nods.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for, Paul adds. Back home weve got no decent pay, no real jobs. Its grim.
I set a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake on the table, the one I baked especially for them.
Listen, Tom, Paul starts over dinner, any vacancies at your firm? Im ready for anything. Im exhausted working for pennies.
Ill see what I can do, I say. Were actually hiring right now. I can put in a word, but I cant promise.
Would you consider moving? With kids? Lucy asks, surprised.
Hmm Amy tastes the cake and thinks. Wed love to move the whole family, but you knowtwo kids, the elder just started nursery, weve fought hard for that spot, and we dont have the cash for a move.
If it helps, Paul can move first. Theres a staff flat where flatmates share rooms, two per room. They dont complain much, I suggest.
Lucy watches me, noticing a flicker of doubt cross my face, then I smile as if to push it away.
I dont want us living apart, Amy murmurs. Its all about prospects and salary.
Monday they leave. Paul emails his résumé, I forward it, and within weeks everything falls into place.
Paul lands a job quickly. I keep my promise, speak to the manager and recommend him. He gets a trial contractnot the top slot, but a decent salary and room to grow.
Mate, I owe you one, he tells me one evening, bringing a bottle of wine. This is my chance. Back home we have no options. Lets make a fresh start!
No letting us down, I reply, uncorking the bottle.
Lucy watches from the side. At first everything seems normal: Paul pops over now and then, sips tea, talks about the new job, stays in the shared staff room with colleagues.
Paul, hows Amy? How are the kids? Lucy asks out of habit.
The kids are great. I sent them money for new toys. Mom helps but Amy isnt thrilled Im away. Im glad for a break from her constant scrutiny, Paul admits after a few glasses.
Longdistance relationships are tricky, Lucy says dryly. At least youll miss each other.
Paul departs again.
The next weekend he returns, this time with Amy and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Amy announces, as if it had been arranged weeks ago. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages, and we havent caught up with you.
Lucy freezes, surprised. Its been a year, maybe two, since they last met. Not two weeks. Still, we cant turn them away.
Alright come in. Ive roasted a chicken, she says, forcing a smile. Where are you staying?
In a hotel, Amy sighs. Its an expensive treat, but weve got no cash left. We need to see each other now and then, otherwise hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Who would I even bring? I joke.
Red or white? I ask automatically. My hospitality has become routine.
Guys, we wont be staying long. Could you look after the kids? Paul and I need some alone time you know how cramped a onebedroom flat is with children, Amy giggles. Romance needs space.
I glance at Tom, who shrugs. He gets Paul, but babysitting strangers isnt exactly appealing.
Were only here a short while, honestly, Amy pleads, hands up.
Fine, one time you can help. Go on, lovebirds. Make a third of a toastapparently they pay well for that maybe itll cover a flat, Lucy laughs. Enjoy.
Paul and Amy laugh and leave, the children staying with Tom and Lucy.
Nothing disastrous happens. The young couple feels a bit exhausted but also proud of not abandoning friends. Their occasional visits become a habit. Amy starts coming almost every week, asking us to watch the kids for whole days, even weekends.
My husband lives up north, she says. I need these meetups. Please, youve got no kids right nowuse the chance to practice!
Lucy gets angry and, after the third request, tells her its over.
The nurserys closed. We have plans, she says.
Really? Youre moving out? Amy is crestfallen, then a bright idea hits her. Great! Hand us the keys. We can stay a week or two. Hotels are too pricey; my husband says my trips cost him a fortune.
No, that wont work. Well be out for a day, then back. Where do you want us to stay? Lucy asks.
You have two rooms. We wont be in the way. Were practically family.
That chat nearly sparks a fight between Lucy and Tom.
Did you hear what she said? She wants us to shift so its convenient for them! Tom snaps.
Maybe shes just stressedkids, moving husbands maybe PMS, Lucy replies.
Stress? No, its audacity! Were not obliged to host them! Im against it. Call Paul and tell his wife to stop being pushy, Tom mutters.
I dont think thats right, Lucy objects.
Are they behaving?
Tom shrugs. He calls Paul, and Amy eases offat least it seems that way. She switches tactics, sending Tom messages.
Hi. Can you do me a favour? I need to check his phone Is he texting anyone?
When Tom declines, Amy writes again.
Then at least drop by his place. See if there are any womens items in his room.
Tom seriously! Talk to him properly. Hes drifting away, Im scared. I think someone else is in his life, and he trusts you.
Tom initially replies briefly, then starts ignoring her. Amy keeps calling, sending voice notes, crying texts, endless emojis.
Tom hides the messages from Lucy, deletes them, retreats to another room to talk.
One evening, while Tom steps away with his phone, Lucy peeks over his shoulder and sees a long message from Amy:
Go to his flat tomorrow. I feel ignored. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Lucys face flushes.
Youre hiding something? Is she a friend now? Or are you spying for Paul?
Im not spying! Tom stammers. Shes just relentless. She writes, calls, complains. I thought, well, shes a friends wife, maybe I should help
Help? Shes using you like a errand boy, and youre staying silent. Its because you cant say no. You gave her permission, and now youre paying for it. Hiding from me like a guilty catshame on you!
Im sorry. I should have told you and put an end to it, Tom says, deleting everything and blocking her number.
After that, Amy finally gets through to Tom and he tells her he wont take part in any more investigations. She gets upset, blames Lucy for ruining things. If you keep pushing, Ill tell Paul
Only then does Amy back off.
Paul eventually learns about the messages from Lucy. Hes furious, realising how far its gone. One night he confronts Tom:
You let her run you ragged, didnt you? Sorry shes so nosy. Im tired of it. I thought distance would help, but it didnt. Ill sort it out.
Two months pass. Amy and Paul disappear from our lives.
Tom and Lucy return to their routine, go on holiday, visit their parents, and later run into Amy back in their hometown. She walks past without a greeting. It later emerges theyve split.
Rumour has it Amy found someone while Paul was in London. The jealous wife turned out to be unfaithful herself. It happens.
