Emily, can you believe it? Paul and Poppy are coming for the weekend! James burst into the kitchen, phone in hand, grin as wide as a London bus.
Seriously? It feels like ages five years? Emily smiled. Well, well finally have something to gossip about.
Theyve been begging for a break. Paul kept moaning that everything in their hometown is getting worse. Weve managed to get out, and theyre still stuck in that swamp.
Where are they crashing?
Honestly, I told them to crash at our place straight away. Youre cool with that, right? James winked.
If theyve already decided without me, fine by me. Lets give them a proper capitalcity weekend. Well show them the best of London, prove you can have a decent life if you pull your weight, Emily said, pride flickering in her eyes. Theyd moved, settled, and were getting along nicely. Everyone kept telling them nothing good ever happens to simple country folk.
The flat was sparkling for the guests arrival: Emily had given every surface a thorough polish, pulled fresh duvet sets from the wardrobe to spread on the sofa, even bought a cosy throw so they wouldnt shiver. A couple of new pillows made the sleeping arrangements a touch more luxurious. They were preparing for their friends as if they were close relatives.
Saturday morning, the intercom buzzed. Within a minute Paul and Poppy were standing in the hallway. Paul was in an old tracksuit that wouldve been out of fashion in Shoreditch a decade ago; Poppy wore tight, neoncoloured jeans and a cropped top, looking like shed just walked off a music video.
Welcome, dear guests James greeted.
Better than I imagined, Paul said, kicking off battered sneakers and flashing holey socks.
Poppy slipped deeper into the flat, glanced around and asked:
Is this yours?
No, its ours. Bought with a mortgage, James replied. Shall we head to the table? Tea, coffee?
Coffee, Poppy replied.
I could do something stronger, Paul nudged James on the shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere had loosened. The group swapped updates.
Honestly life here is totally different, Emily said.
Even the air feels cleaner. People smile more, I think, Poppy added.
Why wouldnt they? Theres actually something to be happy about, Paul chimed. Back home its no salary, no job. Ugh.
Emily set out a bowl of fruit and a homemade Victoria sponge shed baked for the occasion.
Hey, James, Paul began over dinner. Any openings at your firm? Im ready to jump in, cant keep grinding for pennies.
Ill have a look, James said. Were actually recruiting right now. No promises, but Ill put in a word.
Would you consider moving? With the kids? Emily asked, eyebrows raised.
Well Poppy tried a bite of the sponge, then thought. We could move the whole family, but you know, two kids, the older just started nursery. We fought hard for that spot, and weve got no cash for a move.
If it helps, Paul could move first. We have a company flat, two lads share a room, theyre not complaining, James offered.
Emily caught a flicker of doubt in Jamess eyes, but he brushed it aside with a smile.
I dont want us all living apart, Poppy muttered. It all comes down to prospects and pay.
Monday saw them off. Paul emailed his CV, James passed it along, and a couple of weeks later everything clicked.
Paul landed a job quickly. James kept his word, spoke to the manager and recommended him. He got a probationary contractnot the top slot, but a decent salary and room to grow.
Mate, I owe you one, Paul said one evening, showing up with a bottle of red. This is my lifeline. Back home theres nothing. Lets celebrate!
Just dont let us down, James replied, uncorking the bottle.
Emily watched from the side. At first everything seemed fine: Paul would pop round for tea, share updates about the new role, and stay in the temporary shared flat with his colleagues.
Paul, hows Poppy? The kids? Emily asked out of habit.
Kids are great. Sent them money for new toys. Mums helping but the wife isnt thrilled Ive moved. Im glad, thoughfinally a break from her constant nagging, Paul confessed after a few glasses.
Yeah, longdistance relationships are a pain, but youll miss each other, Emily snorted.
Paul left again.
The next weekend he returnedthis time with Poppy and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Poppy announced, as if itd been planned weeks ago. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages! And weve missed you lot too.
Emily froze, surprised. Itd been a year, maybe two certainly not two weeks. Still, she couldnt turn them away.
Right come in then. Ive roasted a chicken, she said, pulling the kettle. Where are you staying?
In a hotel, Poppy sighed. Its pricey, but we cant afford anything else. We need to meet up now and then, otherwise hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Who am I supposed to bring then?! James asked, his hospitality now feeling like a chore.
Red or white? he added, halflaughing.
Oh love, we wont be staying long. Could you mind looking after the kids? We need a night to ourselves you know, a bit of romance is hard in a onebed flat with toddlers, Poppy giggled. A oneroom flat isnt exactly a love nest.
James glanced at Emily, shrugged. He understood Paul, but babysitting strangers kids wasnt his idea of a good time.
We wont be long, promise, Poppy pleaded, hands clasped.
Fine, one nights no big deal. Go on, darlings, make yourself at home. I hear they pay well for looking after a kid might even cover a mortgage, Emily laughed.
Paul and Poppy thanked her and left, the children staying with James and Emily.
Nothing disastrous happened. The young couple were exhausted but felt like heroes for not abandoning friends. The onenight babysitting turned into a regular thing; Poppy started dropping by almost every week, asking to watch the kids for a whole day or an entire Saturday.
My husband works up north, shed say. I need these visits. Could you keep an eye on them? Youre childfree at the moment! Practice makes perfect.
Emilys patience wore thin, and after the third request she snapped.
The nurserys closed. We have plans.
Youre moving out? Poppy frowned, then brightened with a scheme. Perfect! Hand us the keys; well stay a week or two. Hotels are absurdly expensive, and my husband wont foot the bill; he says my trips cost him a fortune.
No, that wont work. Were only away for a day, then well be back. Where do you expect us to put you? Emily asked.
Youve got two rooms. We wont be in the way. Were practically family.
The conversation nearly sparked a row between Emily and James.
Did you hear what she said? Were moving the furniture for them! James muttered. Shes just stressed, maybe PMS.
Its not stress, its arrogance! Were not obligated to host them! Ill call Paul and tell his wife to stop being so pushy.
That feels off.
Are they behaving well?
James shrugged, then called Paul. Poppy softened a bit, at least for a moment. Later she changed tactics, sliding into Jamess messages.
Hey, could you do me a favour? I need to check his phone Does he chat with anyone else?
When James refused, she wrote again.
Then at least drop by his place. See if there are any feminine items in his room.
James honestly, have a proper chat with him. Im scared hes drifting. I think someone else is in his life, and he trusts you more than me.
Initially James gave short replies, then started ignoring her. Poppy kept bombing him with calls, voice notes, crying texts, endless emojis.
Emily never heard about this. James hid the messages, deleted them, sometimes slipped out of the room to take calls.
One evening, as James stepped away again, Emily peeked over his shoulder and saw a long message from Poppy:
Go to his flat tomorrow. I think hes ignoring me. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Emilys face flushed.
What are you hiding? Is she a friend now? Or are you spying on Paul?
Im not spying! James stammered. She just wont stop nagging. I thought, Shes my mates wife, maybe I should help.
Help? Shes using you as a courier! And youre sitting there, letting it happen because you cant say no. You gave her permission, and now youre hiding like a guilty cat! Shame on you!
Youre right, Im sorry. I should have told you and put an end to it, James said, deleting all the chats and blocking her number.
After that, Poppy finally got through and James told her he wouldnt be part of any more investigations. She sulked, blamed Emily for ruining things, and warned James shed tell Paul.
Only then did Poppy back off.
Paul eventually learned about the messages from Emily. He was furious, feeling the whole thing had gone too far, and confronted James one night.
Shes been poking around, hasnt she? Sorry shes been that nosy. I thought distance would help, but it didnt. Ill sort it out, Paul said.
Two months later, Poppy and Paul vanished from their lives. James and Emily went back to their routine, took a short holiday, visited their parents, and ran into Poppy on the street in Manchester. She barely acknowledged them; later it turned out theyd split.
Rumour had it Poppy had met someone while Paul was in London The jealous wife turned out to be the unfaithful one. Happens, doesnt it?
