Robert, can you believe it? Peter and Amelia are coming for the weekend! I say, holding my phone and grinning at Julia.
Seriously? It feels like ages since we saw them five years? she laughs. Well, well have plenty to talk about.
Theyve been itching to get away. Peter keeps moaning that everything in their hometown is going downhill. Weve managed to get out, but theyre still stuck in that quagmire.
Where will they stay?
Honestly, I offered them our flat straight away. Youre okay with that, arent you? Robert winks.
If theyve already decided without me, Im fine. Lets give them a proper London weekend. Well show them around, let them see what life can be like if you pull yourself together and work hard, Julia replies, pride shining in her eyes for us. We moved, settled, and now were living quite comfortably. People used to say theres nothing for simple country folk like us.
The flat gleams for the guests arrival: Julia has scrubbed every surface, pulled fresh linens from the wardrobe to dress the sofa, bought a warm throw so the visitors dont feel the chill, and added a couple of new pillows for extra comfort. She and Robert treat the visit like welcoming close relatives.
On Saturday morning the intercom buzzes. A minute later Peter and Amelia stand in the hallway. Peter is in an old tracksuit that no one in the city wears any more; Amelia is in tight jeans and a snug top, looking sour and a little annoyed as she scans the corridor.
Come in, youre welcome Robert says.
Wow, even better than I imagined, Peter says, kicking off scuffed trainers and flashing holey socks.
Amelia steps deeper into the flat, looks around in silence and asks,
Is this yours?
No, its ours. We bought it with a mortgage, Robert answers. Shall we head to the kitchen? Tea or coffee?
Coffee, Amelia says.
Ill need something stronger. Peter pats Roberts shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere relaxes. The friends swap updates.
Honestly, this is a completely different life, Julia says.
Even the air feels different. And people seem to smile more, Amelia nods.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for here, Peter adds. Back home its no job, no decent wages. Drat.
Julia puts a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake she baked for the guests on the table.
Listen, Robert, Peter begins over dinner. Do you have any openings at work? Im ready for anything. Im tired of grinding for pennies.
Ill see, Robert says. Were actually hiring right now. Ill put in a word, but I cant promise anything.
Would you consider moving? With kids? Julia asks, surprised.
Well Amelia tries a slice of cake and thinks. Wed love to move with the whole family, but you know, two kids, the older just started nursery, we fought hard for that spot. And we dont have the cash for a move.
If it helps, Peter could move first. We have a staff flat where two lads share a room. They dont complain, Robert says.
Julia watches her husband, noticing a flicker of doubt, then he flashes a reassuring smile.
I dont want us living apart, Amelia mutters. Its a question of prospects and salary.
On Monday the guests leave. Peter sends his résumé, Robert forwards it, and a couple of weeks later everything falls into place.
Peter lands a job quickly. Robert keeps his promise, having spoken to the manager and recommended him. Peter gets a probationary contractnot the top slot, but a decent salary and a clear path for promotion.
Mate, I owe you one, Peter says one evening, dropping by with a bottle of wine. This is my break. Back home there are no options. Lets make the most of it!
Just dont let us down, Robert replies, uncorking the bottle.
Julia watches from the doorway. At first everything seems normal: Peter drops by now and then, sips tea, talks about how the new role is going. He stays in the shared staff flat with his colleagues, not sleeping over at our place.
Peter, hows Amelia? The kids? Julia asks politely.
The kids are great. Ive sent them money for new toys. Amelias not thrilled Im away, but Im glad to get a breather from her constant checking, Peter admits after a few glasses.
Yeah, longdistance is a pain, but youll miss each other, Julia says with a chuckle.
Peter leaves again.
The next weekend he returns, this time with Amelia and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Amelia announces, as if its been prearranged. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages, and we havent caught up with you either.
Julia freezes, surprised. Its been a year, maybe two not just a couple of weeks. She cant turn them away.
Right, come in. Ive roasted a chicken, she says, forcing a smile. Where are you staying?
In a hotel, Amelia sighs. Its pricey, but we cant afford anything else. We need to see each other now and then, otherwise hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Amelia, who would I bring? Robert asks, his hospitality slipping into routine.
Red or white? he adds. Just a quick question.
Sorry, we wont stay long. Could you watch the kids for a bit? We need some time alone, you know, a proper evening you cant have romance in a onebedroom flat with children around, can you? Amelia giggles.
Robert looks away, shrugs. He gets Peter, but babysitting strangers kids isnt his idea of a good time.
We wont be long, honestly, Amelia says, palms pressed to her face.
Fine, one nights help is fine. Go on, lovebirds. Make a third of a meal, Julia laughs. They say the pays decent maybe itll cover a mortgage.
Peter and Amelia laugh and leave, leaving the kids with Robert and Julia.
Nothing disastrous happens. The young couple tires more than usual, but they feel like heroes for not abandoning friends. The occasional favor becomes a habit. Amelia starts coming almost every week, asking to look after the children for a whole day, an evening, even an entire Saturday.
My husband lives up north, she explains. I need these visits. Please, youre childfree right now! Its good practice!
Julia gets angry and, after the third request, says enough.
The nurserys closed. We have plans.
Really? Youre moving? Amelia protests, then lights up with an idea. Perfect. Hand us the keys. Well stay a week or two. Hotels are too expensive, and my husband wont pay, says my trips cost him too much.
No, that wont work. Well be out for a day, then back. Where do you expect us to put you? Julia asks.
You have two bedrooms. We wont intrude. Were practically family.
That conversation almost erupts into a fight between Julia and Robert.
Did you hear what she said? She wants us to move so its convenient for them! Robert snaps. Maybe shes stressed, kids, moving husbands maybe PMS.
Its not stress, its sheer audacity! Were not obligated to host them! Im against it. Call Peter and tell his wife to stop being pushy.
Listen, thats not right.
Are they behaving?
Robert shrugs, then calls Peter. Amelia backs off, at least for a moment. It looks to Julia like Amelia changed tactics, sending messages to Robert instead.
Hi. Could you do me a favor? I need to check his phone Is he chatting with anyone?
When Robert refuses, Amelia writes again.
Then at least drop by his place. See if there are any womens items in his room.
Robert seriously! Talk to him properly. Hes pulling away, Im scared. I think someone else is in his life and he trusts you.
Robert first replies briefly, then starts ignoring her. Amelia keeps calling, sending voice notes, crying emojis, threepage texts full of pleas.
Julia never hears about this from Robert. He hides the messages, deletes them, sometimes retreats to another room to make calls.
One evening, while Robert is on his phone, Julia leans over his shoulder and sees a long message from Amelia:
Go to him tomorrow. I think hes ignoring me. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Julias blood boils.
Are you hiding something? Is she a friend now? Or are you spying on Peter?
Im not spying! Robert protests, flustered. She just wont leave me alone. She texts, calls, complains. I thought, shes a friends wife, maybe I should help
Help? Shes using you as a gobetween! And you just stand by? Because you cant say no. You gave her permission, now youre paying for it! Hiding from me like a guilty cat! Shameful!
Youre right, Im sorry. I should have told you and stopped this nonsense. Robert deletes the chats and blocks her number.
After that, Amelia finally reaches Robert and he tells her he wont take part in any more investigations. She gets mad, claims Julia is ruining her, that real friends dont act like this.
You know, if you keep pestering, Ill tell Peter
Only then does Amelia back off.
Peter learns about the messages from Julia. He is outraged at how far things have gone and one night tells Robert:
Shes been riding you like a horse, huh? Sorry she got so nosy. I thought distance would make things easier, but no. Ill sort it out.
Two months pass and both Amelia and Peter disappear from their lives.
Robert and Julia settle back into their routine, take a holiday, visit their parents, and run into Amelia back in their hometown. She walks past without a greeting. Later they hear she and Peter have split.
Rumour has it Amelia found someone while Peter was in London The jealous wife turned out to be unfaithful herself. Such things happen.
