Emily set a plate of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table and took the seat opposite James. The lateafternoon sun slipped through the lace curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden hue. She propped her chin with her hand and gave a small, nervous smile.
James glanced up from his phone.
Is she good? Whats got you so tangled up? he asked.
Absolutely brilliant! Emilys eyes brightened. We chatted yesterday and discovered we share a ton of interests. Shes into rock climbing, goes to the same gym I used to frequent, and reads the same books. Its like looking into a mirror that suddenly moved into my office.
James laughed, reaching for his coffee.
Thats great. Youve been needing a mate at work for ages.
Exactly! Emily lifted her fork but didnt eat. She wanted to keep talking. She also loves hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. She tells everything so honestly, no pretense at all.
James nodded, taking a bite of toast.
Sounds perfect. Think you could introduce us?
Sure thing. How about dinner this weekend? Ill cook something special, we can all sit and chat.
Deal, James said with a relaxed grin. Why not?
Emily gave a satisfied nod and turned back to the eggs. Inside, everything was humming. She loved her job, had a wonderful boyfriend of three years, and now a new friend who fit effortlessly into her life. It felt almost perfect.
Two weeks later Emily hosted the dinner at her flat in Manchester. She scrubbed every surface until it gleamed and prepared Jamess favourite roast chicken with rosemary. Lucy arrived holding a bouquet of tulips and a chocolate cake.
Emily, this place is so cosy! Lucy exclaimed, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Emily laughed and took the flowers.
Thanks. James, this is Lucy. Lucy, meet James.
James extended his hand, smiling. Pleasure. Emilys told me so much about you I feel like Ive known you a lifetime.
The feelings mutual, Lucy replied, shaking his hand. She always says youre the most patient man on earth.
James winked at Emily. Its a necessity. With a lively woman like you, patience is a survival skill.
The evening flowed smoothly. James and Lucy discovered a shared love of classic cinema and 70s rock, trading opinions on favourite films and arguing playfully over which director was best.
Emily sat between them, watching the conversation with a steady grin. Her two favourite people were getting along. What could be better?
After that night the three of them started meeting regularly movies, gallery openings, weekend hikes. James even suggested inviting Lucy more often, claiming time with her was never dull.
Emily was delighted.
But gradually she began to notice odd changes. James started staying late at the office more often, whereas before he always left on time. He sent fewer texts during the day and called her less without any real reason. When Emily tried to talk about future plans buying a house, marriage his answers grew short and evasive, as if the topics weighed him down.
Lucys behaviour shifted too. Occasionally Emily caught Lucys gaze linger a beat longer than friendly, a quick, assessing look that vanished behind a smile before the conversation moved on.
One night Emily was in the livingroom while James cooked in the kitchen. His phone lay on the table beside her. The screen lit up with a new message.
She glanced automatically. Lucy. Almost midnight. The text was brief: Thanks for today.
Emilys heart lurched. She set the phone down and stared at the wall. What had happened? James had said hed been working late.
She tried to dismiss it, convincing herself they were just friends who happened to run into each other or discuss a work matter, even though James worked for a different firm. She felt ashamed of her jealousy, telling herself she was imagining drama.
The unease lingered.
In March the three of them drove up to a chalet in the Lake District, a trip theyd been planning for months. Emily dreamed of forest walks and evenings by the fire. Lucy was eager from the start, and James was all in. They rented a cottage on the lakeshore, brought tents and climbing gear.
From day one, though, the atmosphere felt off.
Emily watched James and Lucy exchange glances, saw them fall silent whenever she entered the room. On the second day they lingered together by the lake while Emily rested after a climbing session. James claimed he was just showing Lucy the way to an old chapel the local ranger had mentioned.
Emily nodded, but something tightened inside her.
On the final evening they gathered around the fire. Both James and Lucy wore guilty, startled expressions. James avoided Emilys eyes; Lucy did the same. Emily tried to draw them out, but their replies were terse.
That night Emily lay awake, convinced something in their world had cracked irreparably.
A week after returning, James messaged: Emily, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
Emily sat at her desk, the screen of her computer reflecting a knot of dread.
At five oclock she arrived at the café on Deansgate. James was already there, a cup of tea cooling in front of him. Lucy sat across, her hands clasped tightly.
Emily paused at the door. For a heartbeat she considered turning away, but her legs carried her to their table. She slipped into the seat, jacket still on.
Whats going on? she demanded.
She looked alternately at James and Lucy, both wearing apologetic faces.
James stared at the napkin in his hands, tearing it into tiny pieces. Finally, he lifted his eyes.
Emily, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Emily clenched her fists under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realised we fell in love with each other, James whispered. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Lucys eyes flooded, mascara running down her cheeks.
Emily, Im sorry. I didnt mean to hurt you. Youre my best friend. But this this is stronger than us.
Lucy reached out.
Emily pulled her hand back. Anger, betrayal, pain swirled into a single knot lodged in her throat.
Stronger than us? Emily shot back, eyes flicking between them. You two were behind my back while I was dreaming about a wedding, children, a future together? How could you? What did I ever do to you?
Emily, we didnt want
Didnt want? she raised her voice, drawing a few curious glances from nearby tables. You were meeting in secret! Messaging each other at night! And now you pretend it was accidental? This is betrayal, James. The worst thing you could do to me.
James lowered his gaze. I know. I know I was selfish. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Emily turned to Lucy. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Lucy burst into sobs, covering her face with her hands.
Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We were just talking, hanging out, and then it became more than friendship.
Emily rose, the chair screeching as it slid back. She grabbed her bag, glancing at them one last time.
I never want to see you again. Never.
She walked out of the café without looking back. The night air was cold; tears streamed down her cheeks, untouched by any hand. She kept moving, the streets blurring until she reached the underground station.
The next day Emily filed a transfer request to the London office of her company. Her manager was surprised but didnt press for details. Her reputation was solid, so the move was approved swiftly.
Lucy tried to call; Emily blocked the number. James sent a few messages, which she deleted without reading. He collected his things from her flat while she wasnt home. Emily returned to an empty apartment, standing in the middle of the living room, staring at the spot where his shoes had been.
Two weeks later Emily was settled in a flat in London. Her parents were uneasy about the abrupt change, but Emily was determined to start over, far from any trace of James and Lucy.
The first months were rough. She threw herself back into climbing, this time solo, as a way to regain control.
One day a mutual acquaintance from Manchester messaged her: James and Lucy have moved in together. Been living as a couple for two months now.
Emily read the text and switched her phone off.
The ache didnt vanish, but it dulled. She stopped staying up at night replaying that café scene. She kept moving forward, day by day.
Emily hadnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; she had lost faith in honesty, in the idea that friendship could be true, that love wouldnt be tossed aside so easily.
She resolved to rebuild her life, this time more cautious about who she let in.
The pain would linger for a long time, but Emily knew she would survive. She had no other choice.
