**Revenge**
“Listen, Emma, I promised a mate Id help him move flats today.”
“Today?” Emma raised an eyebrow at her husband.
“Yeah, he just bought a two-bedder. His wifes due any day now.”
“Last Saturday, you were out christening someones new car. All your mates seem to be doing so well. Meanwhile, weve got neither a new car nor a bigger flat. Whys that, James?”
“Dont nag, Em. I promise, next weekends just us.” James pulled her close, searching her eyes.
“Hard to believe. Every weekend, theres some unexpected thing.” She pushed him away lightly.
“Fine, want me to call and cancel?” He scowled.
“No. You promisedgo.”
James brightened instantly. “Em, youre an absolute gem. So, Ill head off, then?” He leaned in for a kiss, but Emma pressed a hand to his chest, holding him back.
“Just dont forget your promise for next weekend,” she said.
***
Theyd all met at unithe three of them. As often happens, Emma fancied James, while Daniel had always fancied her. Theyd sat together in lectures, gone to the cinema, the lads walking her home. One night, Daniel confessed his feelings.
“Sorry, but its James for me,” Emma admitted honestly.
“Fair enough. Cant help how you feel,” Daniel sighed.
After that, he stopped sitting with them, stopped walking her home. If they met at the pub, hed leave early.
James had a small flat, inherited from his granddad. The whole group used to crash there. Emma would come but never stayed over, no matter how much James begged. Then, on New Years Eve, she did. Soon, they were living together.
Daniel rarely visitedcouldnt stand seeing his best mate happy with the woman he loved.
“When are you two getting married?” he asked at their graduation drinks.
“Were fine as we are, right, Em?” James answered for both of them.
Emma looked down, silent.
“Youre wrong. Every girl dreams of a wedding. Emma, ditch himmarry me instead,” Daniel blurted.
James shot him a dark look.
“Actually, Ive been meaning to propose. Just waiting for the right moment.” He pulled a ring from his pocket. “Emma, will you marry me?”
She flushed with joy. “Of course!”
She didnt notice Daniel stand and walk out.
Two months later, he was their best man.
“Em, if he ever hurts you, tell me straight away,” he said at the reception.
“And when are *you* getting married?” Emma teased.
“Oh, hes waiting for us to divorce,” James laughed. “Keep dreaming, mate.”
“Enough,” Emma cut in. “Lets dance.” She dragged James from the table.
Three months into the marriage, Daniel turned up on Emmas birthday with a massive bouquet of red roses. After the guests left, James fumed, accusing her of making too much of the gift.
“Dont be jealous. I only love you,” she said.
“Hope so,” James muttered.
Three years passed. They were happy, but rows crept inalways over Jamess jealousy. He hated any man looking at Emma. He wanted her pregnant, at home. But Emma wanted to work first, gain experience.
Lately, James had been acting oddvanishing every weekend, irritable when home.
“Dan, is James seeing someone?” she asked one day.
“Em, dont be daft. He loves you,” Daniel said, avoiding her eyes.
“Youre a terrible liar,” she smirked.
***
James was gone again. Emma sighed and cleaned the flat. When the doorbell rang, she hoped it was himbut he had a key.
Daniel stood there.
“You? Wheres James?”
“Hes not here?”
“Come in. Tea?”
They drank in awkward silence.
“Em, I still fancy you,” Daniel said suddenly.
“Dan, I thought youd moved on.”
“Just wanted you to know.”
“Theres something else.” He sipped his tea, not meeting her eyes.
“That sounds ominous.”
“James thinks youre cheating. That youve got someone.”
Emma scoffed. “Did he send you to spy?”
“Worse. He asked me to seduce you. Test you.”
Emma froze. “Youre joking.”
“I refused at first. But if not me, hed have found someone else. He made me swear not to tell you.”
“So you came here knowing hed be out?”
“Em, I agreed to come but nothing else. Thats why Im telling you.”
“This is low. Even for him. Or you.”
“I think you should go.”
After he left, Emmas mind raced. Jamess suspicions? His absences?
That evening, James came home oddly energetic.
“Move go okay?” Emma asked casually.
“Yep.”
“No celebratory pint?”
“His wifes pregnant, like I said.”
“Took a while. Dan dropped by earlier.”
James tensed. “Whatd he want?”
“Just a chat.” She watched him closely.
“Im knackered. Off to shower.”
Days later, Emma plotted revenge. A flirty colleague, Lucy, agreed to help.
“Just make it look convincing,” Emma said.
“Your bloke worth it?” Lucy grinned.
Saturday, Emma left to babysit, leaving James waiting for a colleague. She wandered shops, guilt gnawing at her. Revenge was petty. She rushed back
And found them on the sofa, pulling apart.
“Expecting someone else?” she hissed.
Lucy smoothed her dress, smirked, and left.
“Em, its not what”
“Save it. Were done.”
She moved in with her parents. A week later, James had another woman over.
New Years Eve, alone, the doorbell rang. Daniel stood there with a tiny decorated tree.
“Knew youd be by yourself.”
They drank under the countdown.
“Guess what I wished for,” Emma said.
“Same as me,” Daniel smiled.
A year later, they married. Nine months after thattwins.
Sometimes revenge does everyone a favour. Clears the air.
