Eleanor set a plate of scrambled eggs on the table and took a seat opposite me. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing everything in a soft, golden hue. She rested her chin on her hand and gave me a smile.
I glanced up from my phone.
Is she great? Whats got you so taken? I asked.
Everyone thinks so! Eleanor brightened. We chatted yesterday and discovered we have a lot in common. Shes into rock climbing too, goes to the same gym I used to attend, and reads the same books. Its like she was made for my office.
I laughed and reached for my coffee.
Thats brilliant. Youve needed a work friend for ages.
Exactly! she said, picking up her fork but not eating. She wanted to keep talking. She also loves hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. She tells everything so genuinely, without any of the usual show.
I nodded, taking a bite of toast.
Sounds perfect. Can you introduce us?
Sure thing. How about a dinner this weekend? Ill cook something tasty, we can sit and chat.
Why not, I replied easily. Sounds good to me.
Eleanor gave a satisfied nod and turned back to the eggs. Inside, everything seemed to be going well. She had a job she loved, a wonderful boyfriend of three years, and now a new friend who fit right in. Life felt almost perfect.
Two weeks later she hosted the dinner at her flat. She scrubbed the apartment until it gleamed and prepared Maxs favourite dishroast chicken with rosemary. Grace arrived with a bouquet of tulips and a cake.
Eleanor, this place is so cosy! Grace exclaimed, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Eleanor laughed and took the flowers.
This is Grace, she said, introducing her to me. Grace, this is Max.
I extended my hand with a grin. Pleasure. Eleanor has told me so much about you I feel like Ive known you for a century.
The feelings mutual, Grace replied, shaking my hand. Shes always saying youre the most patient person on earth.
Must be a necessity, I winked at Eleanor. You cant survive with an active girl without a bit of patience.
The evening went wonderfully. Grace and I clicked instantly, discovering a shared love of classic cinema and 70s rock. We rattled off favourite films and debated which was better.
Eleanor sat between us, smiling all night. Her two favourite people were getting along. What could be better?
After that night we started meeting up as a triogoing to the movies, art shows, and countryside walks. I even began suggesting Graces company, saying it was never dull with her.
Eleanor was thrilled.
But gradually she began to notice odd changes. I started staying later at work, whereas before I always left on time. I sent fewer texts during the day and called less just for the sake of it. When she brought up plansbuying a house, marriagemy replies became short and evasive, as if the topics weighed me down.
Grace also seemed different. Occasionally Eleanor caught her looking at me with a quick, assessing glance, as if she wanted to say something but held back, then she would smile and steer the conversation elsewhere.
One evening Eleanor was in the living room while I was cooking in the kitchen. My phone lay on the table beside her. The screen lit up with a message.
Eleanor glanced instinctively. Grace. It was almost midnight. The text was brief: Thanks for today.
Eleanor froze. Her heart tightened. She set the phone down and stared at the wall. What did it mean? When had they seen each other today? Id told her I was stuck at work.
She tried to push the thought away, convincing herself it was just a friendly message, that she was being irrational. Yet the doubt lingered.
In March the three of us drove up to a cabin in the Lake District, a trip wed been planning for months. Eleanor looked forward to weekends in nature, forest walks and campfire evenings. Grace was eager from the start, and I was happy to go along. We rented a cottage by the lake, brought tents and climbing gear.
From the first day, the atmosphere felt off. Eleanor saw Grace and me exchange glances, heard us fall silent as soon as she entered the room. On the second day they spent a long walk together by the lake while Eleanor rested after a climb. I told her we were simply showing Grace the way to an old chapel a local ranger had mentioned.
Eleanor nodded, but something knotted inside her.
On the final night both Grace and I sat by the fire, looking ashamed and uneasy. I avoided Eleanors gaze, and Grace did the same. She tried to make conversation, but we could only answer in monosyllables.
That night Eleanor lay awake, feeling as if something had irreparably broken.
A week after we returned, I sent her a message: Eleanor, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
She was at work, staring at her screen, a knot of foreboding tightening in her stomach.
At five I arrived at the café. I was already seated by the window, Grace beside me.
Eleanor stopped in the doorway. For a moment she wanted to turn and leave, but her feet carried her to our table. She slid into the seat, coat still on.
Whats going on?
She looked alternately at me and Grace, both wearing guilty expressions. I sat in silence for a while, fiddling with a napkin until I tore it into tiny pieces. Finally I raised my eyes.
Eleanor, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
She clenched her hands under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realised wed fallen for each other, I said quietly. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Grace began to cry, mascara smearing down her cheeks.
Eleanor, Im sorry. I didnt want this. I swear I never meant to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us.
Grace reached out toward her.
Eleanor pulled her hand back. Anger, betrayal, pain roiled together into a tight knot in her throat.
Stronger than us? she asked, looking at both of us. You were behind my back while I was making plans, you were spending time together? While I was dreaming about a wedding, kids, a life together? How could you live with yourselves? What did I do to deserve this?
Eleanor, we didnt want
Didnt want? she raised her voice. A few other patrons turned, but she didnt care. You were meeting in secret! Texting each other late at night! And now you act like it wasnt your choice? Thats treachery, Max. The worst thing you could do to me.
I know, I said, eyes on the table. I know I acted badly. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? she turned to Grace. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Grace sobbed, covering her face with her hands.
Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We were just talking, hanging out, and then it turned into more than friendship.
Eleanor stood, the chair screeching as it slid back. She grabbed her bag and gave us one last look.
I never want to see you again. Never.
She walked out of the café without looking back. The night was cold; tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didnt wipe them away. She kept walking until she reached the tube station.
The next day Eleanor submitted a transfer request to the Manchester branch of her company. Her manager was surprised but didnt pry. She was valued, and the transfer was approved quickly.
Grace tried to callEleanor blocked the number. I sent a few messages, but she deleted them unread. I collected my things while she was out, leaving the flat empty. Eleanor stood in the empty living room, staring at the spot where my shoes had been.
Two weeks later she was settled in Manchester, unpacking in a new flat. Her parents were skeptical, but she was determined to start over, away from any reminder of me and Grace.
The first months were tough. She returned to climbing, now solo, using it as a lifeline.
One day a mutual friend from London messaged her, saying that Grace and I had moved in together and had been living as a couple for two months.
Eleanor read the message and turned off her phone.
The pain didnt disappear, but it dulled. She stopped staying up at night replaying our last meeting. She kept moving forward, day by day.
Eleanor 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 betrayed so easily.
But she decided to rebuild her life, now more cautious about who she lets in.
The ache would stay with her for a long time, yet she knew she would survive, because she had no other choice.
