Emily, can you believe it? Paul and Ava are coming for the weekend! Tom walks up to his girlfriend, phone in hand, grinning.
Seriously? It feels like ages since we last saw them five years? She laughs. Well, well have plenty to talk about.
Yeah, theyve been itching to get away. Paul keeps complaining that everything in their town is getting worse. Weve managed to break free, while theyre stuck in a swamp.
Where will they stay?
Honestly, I offered them our place straight away. Youre okay with that, right? Tom shrugs.
If theyve already decided without me, Im fine. Well give them a proper London weekendshow them around, let them see how life can be decent if you work for it, Emily says, pride shining in her eyes. They moved, settled, and are doing reasonably well. People used to say theres nothing for plainvanilla provincials like them.
The flat sparkles for the guests arrival: Emily has scrubbed every surface, pulled fresh linen from the wardrobe to spread on the sofa, bought a cosy throw so the visitors wont be cold, and added a couple of new pillows for extra comfort. She and Tom treat the visit like a family reunion.
Saturday morning the intercom buzzes. Within a minute Paul and Ava stand in the hallway. Paul wears a tracksuit that would look out of place in central London; Ava swings in baggy jeans and a tight tank top, looking annoyed and scanning the corridor.
Come in, youre welcome Tom says.
Wow, even better than I imagined, Paul tosses his old trainers aside, exposing threadbare socks.
Ava moves deeper into the flat, looks around in silence and asks:
Is this yours?
No, we own it. Got it on a mortgage, Tom replies. Right, shall we head to the kitchen? Tea, coffee?
Coffee, Ava says.
Ill need something stronger. Paul pats Tom on the shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere loosens. The friends swap updates.
Honestly, life here feels completely different, Emily says.
The air even seems fresher, and people smile more, Ava nods.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for, Paul adds. Back home we have no decent wages, no jobs. Ugh.
Emily sets a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake shes baked for the guests on the table.
Listen, Tom, Paul begins over dinner. Do you have any openings at work? Im ready for anything. I cant keep slogging for pennies.
Ill see, Tom says. Were actually hiring right now. Ill put in a good word, but I cant promise anything.
Would you consider moving? With the kids? Emily asks, surprised.
Well Ava tries the cake and pauses. Wed move the whole family, but you know, two kids, the older just started nursery, we fought hard to get a spot there. And we dont have the cash for a move.
If it helps, Paul could go first. We have a staff flat where two lads share a room. Theyre happy enough, Tom offers.
Emily watches Tom, sees a flicker of doubt, then his smile returns, as if brushing it away.
I dont want us to live apart, Ava mutters. Its a question of prospects and pay.
Monday comes and the guests leave. Paul sends his résumé, Tom forwards it, and within weeks everything falls into place.
Paul lands a job quickly. Tom keeps his word: he talks to the manager, recommends him. Paul gets a trial contractnot the top slot, but a decent salary and room to grow.
Mate, I owe you one, Paul says one evening, dropping by with a bottle of wine. This is my break. My place is a dead end. Lets celebrate!
Just dont let us down, Tom replies, uncorking the bottle.
Emily watches from the side. At first everything seems normal: Paul drops in now and then, sips tea, talks about how the new role is going. He stays in the shared staff room with his colleagues.
Paul, hows Ava? How are the kids? Emily asks out of habit.
Kids are great. I sent them money for new toys. Moms helping but Avas not thrilled Im away. Im glad I get a breather from her constant checking, Paul admits after a few glasses.
Yeah, longdistance relationships are tricky. At least youll miss each other, Emily says with a smile.
Paul eventually leaves.
The next weekend he returns not alone, but with Ava and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Ava announces, as if itd been prearranged. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages! And we havent seen you in forever.
Emily freezes, surprised. Its been a year, maybe two not just a couple of weeks. She cant turn them away.
Right, come on in. Ive roasted a chicken, she says. Where are you staying?
At a B&B, Ava sighs. Its pricey, but weve got no cash for a hotel. We have to meet up now and then, otherwise hell forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Ava, who am I supposed to bring?! Tom jokes, his hospitality turning routine.
Red or white? Tom asks, halfheartedly. Your hosting is becoming a habit
Look, we wont be long. Could you watch the kids for a bit? We need some time alone you know, a oneroom flat isnt exactly romantic with kids around, Ava giggles. Its not ideal.
Tom looks at Emily, shrugs. He gets Paul, but babysitting strangers isnt his cup of tea.
Were only staying a short while, honestly, Ava says, clasping her hands.
Fine, one time you can help. Go on, lovebirds. Make a third one, Emily laughs. They say you get good money for that maybe even enough for a flat.
Paul and Ava laugh and leave, leaving the kids with Tom and Emily.
Nothing disastrous happens. The young couple gets exhausted, but they feel like heroes for not leaving friends in the lurch.
The visits become a regular thing. Ava turns up almost every week, asking to look after the childrennot just for a couple of hours, but for a whole day, an evening, an entire Saturday.
My husband lives in another city, she explains. I need these meetups. Youre childfree right now! Practice on us!
Emilys patience thins, and by the third request she says enough is enough.
The nurserys closed. We have plans.
Really? Youre moving? Ava pouts, then brightens with an idea. Great. Hand us the keys. Well stay for a week or two. Hotels are too dear, my husband wont pay; he says my trips cost him a fortune.
No, we cant. Were away for a day, then well be back. Where do you expect us to put you? Emily asks.
Well you have two rooms. We wont be in the way. Were practically family.
The conversation almost sparks a fight between Emily and Tom.
Did you hear what she said? She wants us to move so its convenient for them! Tom snaps. Maybe shes stressed, kids, moving maybe PMS.
Shes not stressed, shes brazen! We dont have to host them! Im against it. Call Paul and tell his wife to stop being pushy.
Listen, that sounds wrong.
Are they behaving?
Tom shrugs, then calls Paul. Ava eases off, or so Emily thinks. In reality Ava shifts tactics, sending Tom messages instead of calls.
Hey, can you do me a favour? I need to check his phone Does he chat with anyone?
When Tom refuses, Ava writes again.
Then at least drop by his place. See if there are any womens things in his room.
Tom seriously! Talk to him properly. Hes pulling away, Im scared. I think someone else is involved, and he trusts you.
Toms replies start short, then he begins ignoring her. Ava keeps calling, sending voice notes, crying, flooding him with threepage texts and endless smileys.
Emily never hears about this. Tom hides the messages, deletes them, sometimes retreats to another room to talk.
One evening, while Tom steps away with his phone, Emily peeks over his shoulder and sees a long message from Ava:
Go to his flat tomorrow. I feel ignored. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Emily flares up.
What are you hiding? Is she a friend now? Are you spying on Paul?
Im not spying! Tom stammers. Shes just nagging. I thought, shes a friends wife, maybe I should help
Help? Shes using you as a gobetween! And you keep quiet, letting her push you around because you cant say no. You gave her permission, and now youre hiding it like a guilty cat! Shame on you!
Youre right, Im sorry. I should have told you and put an end to this, Tom deletes the messages and blocks Avas number.
After that, Ava finally gets through to Tom, and he tells her he wont take part in any more checks. Shes hurt, blames Emily for ruining things, says true friends dont act like that.
You know, if you keep pressing, Ill tell Paul
Only then does Ava back off.
Paul learns about the texts from Emily and is furious. One evening he confronts Tom:
Shes been chewing you up, huh? Sorry shes so nosy. Im tired of it too. I thought distance would help, but it doesnt. Ill sort it out.
Two months pass. Ava and Paul disappear from their lives.
Tom and Emily return to their routine, go on holiday, visit their parents, and run into Ava back in their hometown. She walks past without a greeting. Later they hear she and Paul have split.
Rumour has it Ava found someone while Paul was in London his jealous wife turned out to be unfaithful. It happens.
