Emily set a plate of scrambled eggs on the table and sat opposite James. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. She propped her chin with a hand and smiled.
James finally put his phone down.
Is she cool? What made you click? he asked.
Absolutely! Emily brightened. We chatted yesterday and discovered we have so much in common. She also loves rock climbing, goes to the same gym I used to attend, and reads the same books. Its like she was made for me, even the office seems to have placed us together.
James laughed and reached for his coffee.
Thats great. Youve needed a work friend for ages.
Exactly! Emily lifted her fork but didnt eat. She wanted to keep talking. Shes into hiking too. Weve already planned a trip for next month. She tells everything so honestly, without any show.
James nodded, taking a bite of his toast.
Sounds brilliant. Can you introduce us?
Sure! How about a dinner this weekend? Ill cook something tasty, well sit and chat.
James agreed easily. Why not?
Emily gave a satisfied nod and turned back to the omelette. Inside, everything was bright. She loved her job, had a wonderful boyfriend of three years, and now a new friend who fit in effortlessly. Life felt almost perfect.
Two weeks later Emily hosted the dinner at her flat. She polished every surface until it gleamed and prepared Jamess favourite rosemaryroasted chicken. Claire arrived carrying a bouquet of tulips and a homemade cake.
Emily, your 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, this is James.
James extended his hand, smiling. Pleasure to meet you. Emily has told me so much about you I feel like weve known each other for a century.
The feeling is mutual, Claire replied, shaking his hand. She always says youre the most patient person on Earth.
James winked at Emily. You need patience with someone as lively as Claire.
The evening went smoothly. James and Claire discovered a shared love for classic cinema and seventies rock. They raced each other recalling favourite films and debated which director was best.
Emily sat between them, watching the conversation with a constant smile. Her two favourite people were getting along. What could be better?
After that night the three of them started meeting often movies, gallery openings, weekend hikes. James began suggesting Claires name more often, saying, Things are never boring with her.
Emily was delighted.
Gradually, however, she began to notice small changes. James started staying later at work, something hed never done before. He sent fewer texts during the day and called less often. When Emily broached future plans buying a house, a wedding his replies grew curt and evasive, as if the topics weighed him down.
Claires behaviour shifted too. Occasionally Emily caught Claire watching her with a quick, assessing glance, as if she wanted to say something but held back, then smiled and changed the subject.
One evening Emily was in the living room while James cooked in the kitchen. His phone rested on the table beside her. It lit up with a new message. Reflexively she glanced at it. The sender: Claire. Time almost midnight. The text was brief: Thanks for today.
Emilys heart tightened. She set the phone down, stared at the wall and wondered what it meant. They had met earlier that day; James had said he was stuck at work.
She tried to dismiss the thought, convincing herself that perhaps theyd run into each other somewhere, or that it was only a workrelated chat. She chastised herself for being jealous, insisting they were just good friends.
But the unease lingered.
In March the three of them booked a cabin on the Lake District for a weekend getaway a trip theyd been planning for months. Emily looked forward to forest walks and evenings by the fire. Claire was eager from the start, and James supported the idea. They rented a small house by the lake, brought tents and climbing gear.
From the first day, however, the atmosphere felt odd. Emily watched James and Claire exchange glances and fall silent whenever she entered the room. On the second day they lingered together by the lake while Emily rested after a climb. James explained he was simply showing Claire the way to an old chapel a local ranger had mentioned.
Emily nodded, but something inside her tightened.
On the final night, they all sat around the fire. Both James and Claire wore bewildered, guilty expressions. Neither could meet Emilys eyes. When she tried to draw them into conversation, they responded with terse answers.
That night Emily lay awake, convinced something vital had broken beyond repair.
A week after returning, James sent a message: Emily, we need to talk. Lets meet at the coffee shop.
Emily was at work, staring at her screen, a knot of dread forming in her stomach.
At five she arrived at the café. James was already seated by the window, Claire beside him. Emily paused at the door, a fleeting impulse to turn away, but her feet carried her to the table. She sat without removing her coat.
Whats happening? she asked, looking between them, seeing the guilt on both faces.
James stared at his napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces. At last 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, really we did, but we cant hide it any longer.
Claire broke down, tears smearing her mascara. Emily, Im so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this feeling was stronger than us.
Claire reached out.
Emily pulled her hand back. Anger, betrayal and raw pain swirled into a tight knot in her throat.
Stronger than us? Emily demanded, her voice rising. A few patrons turned, but she didnt care. You were behind my back while I was planning our future, you were meeting in secret? While I imagined marriage, children, a life together? How could you live with yourselves?
Emily, we didnt want
Didnt want? she snapped. You were together behind my back! Latenight messages! And now you act as if it was accidental? This is betrayal, James. The worst thing you could do to me.
James bowed his head. I know. I know I was cruel. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Emily turned to Claire. You called me your best friend. How could you?
Claire sobbed, covering her face with her hands. Im sorry. I never imagined it would turn out like this. We started talking, spending time, and then it grew into something more.
Emily stood, the chair screeching as it slid back. She grabbed her bag and gave them one last look.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She left the café without looking back. The night was cold, tears streaming down her cheeks, but she didnt wipe them away. She walked straight to the underground station.
The next day Emily submitted a request to transfer to the London branch of her firm. Her manager was surprised but didnt pry. Her performance was valued, so the move was approved swiftly.
Claire tried calling Emily blocked the number. James sent a few messages she deleted them unread. James collected his belongings from her flat while she was out. When Emily returned, the apartment was empty; only a pair of his trainers remained where they once stood.
Two weeks later Emily had settled in Manchester. She unpacked, despite her parents doubts, determined to start anew in a place free of memories of James and Claire.
The first months were tough, but Emily returned to rock climbing, now training alone. The solitude helped her heal.
One day a mutual acquaintance from London messaged her, saying James and Claire had moved in together and were living as a couple for two months.
Emily read the note and turned off her phone.
The pain didnt vanish, but it softened. She no longer lay awake replaying the final confrontation. She simply moved forward, day by day.
Emily hadnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; she lost trust in honesty, in the belief that friendship could be pure, that love couldnt be so easily betrayed. Yet she chose to rebuild her life, this time more cautiously letting new people in.
The ache would linger for a long time, but Emily knew she would survive, because the only option left was to keep living and to cherish the resilience she discovered within herself. The hardest lessons often teach us the most about the strength we already possess.
