Lucy, can you imagine? James and Felicity are coming for the weekend! Harry said, phone in hand, grin spreading across his face as he turned toward his partner.
Seriously? Its been ages five years, maybe? Lucy laughed. Well, therell be plenty to talk about.
Yes, theyve been itching to get away, Harry replied. James keeps moaning that everything in their town is getting worse. We managed to break free, and theyre still stuck in that swamp.
How will they stay?
I thought they could crash at our place, if you dont mind, Harry squinted mischievously. What do you say?
If theyve already decided without me, Im in. Lets give them a proper capitalcity weekend. Well stroll, show them everything. Let them see how life can be if you try and put in the effort, Lucy said, pride glinting in her eyes for the two of themJames, whod moved, settled, and was now living quite comfortably, and his wife, whom many had told could never catch a break in the provinces.
Their flat sparkled for the guests arrival. Lucy scrubbed every surface with devotion, hauled fresh linens from the wardrobe to drape over the sofa, bought a warm throw so the visitors wouldnt shiver, and added a couple of new pillows for extra comfort. They prepared for the friends visit as if they were welcoming close relatives.
On Saturday morning the intercom chimed. Within a minute James, in a oncefashionable tracksuit now out of style in the capital, and Felicity, in absurdly tight jeans and a squeezedin tee, stood in the hallway, eyes scanning the corridor with a sour, irritated glare.
Come in, dear guests, Harry greeted.
Wow, even better than I imagined, James said, slipping off battered trainers, exposing holes in his socks.
Felicity slipped deeper into the flat, surveyed the room in silence, then asked, Is this yours?
No, its ours. Bought with a mortgage, Harry replied. Shall we head to the kitchen? Tea, coffee?
Coffee, Felicity said.
Id like something stronger, James tapped Harry on the shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere eased; the friends swapped updates.
This place feels like a different world, Lucy remarked.
The air even feels different. People seem to smile more, Felicity nodded.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for here, James added. Back home its no salary, no work. Ugh.
Lucy set a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake on the table, the one shed baked for their arrival.
Listen, Harry, James began over dinner. Any vacancies at your firm? Im ready for anything. Im tired of grinding for pennies.
Ill see, Harry said. Were actually hiring right now. Ill do what I can, but I cant promise anything, James.
Would you consider moving? With kids? Lucy asked, surprised.
Well Felicity tasted the cake and thought. Wed love to move the whole family, but you know two kids, the older just started nursery, we fought hard to get a spot there. And weve got no money for a move.
If need be, James could go first. We have a staff flat, lads share twoperson rooms. They dont complain, Harry offered.
Lucy caught a flicker of doubt in Harrys eyes, then his smile brushed it away.
I wouldnt want us living apart, Felicity murmured. Its all about prospects and pay.
The following Monday the guests left. James sent his résumé; Harry passed it on, and within weeks everything shifted.
James landed a job quickly. Harry kept his word, speaking to the management and recommending him. James was taken on a trial basisnot the highest position, but with a respectable salary and room to grow.
Mate, I owe you one, James said one evening, stumbling in with a bottle of red. This is my chance. Back home there are no options. Lets make a fresh start!
Just dont let us down, Harry replied, uncorking the bottle.
Lucy watched from the sidelines. At first everything seemed normal: James dropped by now and then, sipping tea, sharing how the new job was going, staying in the temporary shared room with colleagues.
Hows Felicity? How are the kids? Lucy asked out of habit.
The kids are great. I sent them money for new toys. Mum helps but my wife isnt thrilled Ive gone. Im glad, thoughfinally a break from her constant watch, James admitted after a few glasses.
Ah, longdistance relationships are tricky. Youll miss each other, thats for sure, Lucy replied with a wry smile.
James left.
The next weekend he returned, not alone but with Felicity and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Felicity announced, as if the plan had been set weeks ago. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad for ages, and weve missed you too.
Lucy froze, surprised. It had been a yearmaybe two certainly not just two weeks. She couldnt turn them away.
Right come in then. Ive roasted a chicken, she said, forcing cheerfulness. Where are you staying?
In a hotel, Felicity sighed. A pricey indulgence, but we have no cash. We need to see each other now and then, or hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Who am I supposed to bring then?
Red or white? Harry asked, his hospitality now routine.
Sorry, we wont be staying long. Could you look after the kids for a bit? James and I need some time alone you know how cramped a singleroom flat is with children, Felicity giggled. A bit of romance, perhaps.
Harry gave Lucy a glance, shrugged. He understood James, but babysitting strangers kids didnt quite sit well with him.
We wont be long, honestly, Felicity pressed her palms to her face.
Fine, one night wont hurt. Take them, lovebirds. Cook a thirdsomething for usapparently they pay well for that maybe itll cover a flat, Lucy laughed.
James and Felicity chuckled and left, the children staying with Harry and Lucy.
Nothing terrible happened. The young couple was exhausted, but felt almost heroic for not abandoning friends in need. Their short visits became a regular thing. Felicity turned up almost every week, always asking to watch the kidsnot just for a couple of hours, but for a whole day, an evening, the entire Saturday.
My husband lives in another city, shed say. I need these meetups. Can you look after them while Im childfree? Its good practice!
Lucy grew angry, and on the third request she finally said, Thats it.
The nurserys closed. Weve got plans.
Really? Youre moving out? Felicity protested, then brightened. Great! Hand us the keys. Well stay a week, maybe two. Hotels are too pricey, my husband refuses to paysays my trips cost him a fortune.
No, that wont work. Were only away for a day, then well be back. Where do you want us to live? Lucy asked.
Well you have two rooms. We wont be a bother. Were practically family.
That conversation almost sparked a fight between Lucy and Harry.
Did you hear what she said? She wants us to shuffle so its convenient for them! Harry snapped.
Maybe shes stressedkids, moving, husband maybe PMS, Lucy retorted.
Its not stress, its boldness! We dont have to take them in! Im against it. Call James and tell his wife to stop being so demanding.
Listen, that feels wrong.
Are they behaving?
Harry shrugged, then called James. Felicity softened a little, or so it seemed to Lucy. In reality she changed tactics, texting Harry from a new angle: Hey, could you do me a favor? I need to check his phone does he chat with anyone?
When Harry declined, Felicity wrote again, Then at least pop over to his flat. See if there are any womens things in his room.
Harry seriously! Talk to him. Hes pulling away, Im scared. I think hes got someone else! He trusts you, right?
Harrys replies grew shorter, then stopped. Felicity kept calling, sending voice notes with tears, long text strings filled with pleading emojis.
Harry never mentioned it to Lucy. He hid the messages, deleted them, sometimes slipped into another room to talk.
One night, while Harry was in the kitchen with his phone, Lucy peeked over his shoulder and saw a long message from Felicity: Go to his flat tomorrow. Hes ignoring me. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Lucys cheeks flushed.
What are you hiding? Is she now your friend? Or are you spying on James?
Im not spying! Harry swore, rubbing his temples. She just wont stop writing, calling, complaining. I thought shes a friends wife, maybe I should help?
Help? Shes using you as a errand boy, and you sit there quietly. Its because you cant say no. You gave her permission, now youre paying for it. Hiding like a guilty cat! Isnt that shameful? Their problems are theirs, youre the culprit!
Yes, youre right. I should have told you, ended this nonsense. Harry erased the chats, blocked her number.
After that, Felicity finally got through, and Harry told her hed stop those checks. She sulked, blamed Lucy for ruining her, claimed true friends never act like this.
You know, if you keep pressing, Ill tell James she threatened.
Only then did she back off.
James eventually learned of the messages from Lucy.
He was outraged, realizing how far things had slipped. One evening he confronted Harry: Shes been chewing you up, huh? Sorry shes so nosy. Im tired of it myself. Thought distance would help, but no. Ill sort it out.
Two months passed. Both Felicity and James vanished from their lives.
Harry and Lucy returned to their old rhythm, took a holiday, visited their parents, and ran into Felicity back in their hometown. She passed without a greeting. Later it emerged theyd split.
Rumour had it Felicity had found someone while James was in London his jealous wife turned out to be the unfaithful one. Happens, you know.
