“Emily, it’s over between us!” James said in a cold voice. “I want a real family, children. You can’t give me that. I’ve filed for divorce. You have three days to pack your things. If you leave, give me a sign. I’ll stay at my mum’s until I get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. Yes, don’t be surprised, my new girlfriend is pregnant! Three days, Emily!”
Emily remained silent, feeling the ground give way beneath her feet. What could she possibly say in return? Five years they had tried for a child, yet three pregnancies had ended in heartbreak. The doctors had promised she was healthy, but something always went awry. Emily kept to a healthy routine, and during pregnancies she took extra care. The last time, she fainted at work and the ambulance didn’t arrive in time…
The door slammed shut behind James, and Emily, utterly spent, slumped onto the sofa. She lacked the energy to gather anything. Where could she go? Before the wedding, she had lived with her aunt, but after her aunt passed away the flat had been sold by her cousin. Go back to the village of Ashford, to her grandmother’s house? Rent somewhere? And what about her job? Questions buzzed around her head, but the clock showed no mercy.
The next morning, the door opened and in came her mother-in-law, Margaret.
“Not asleep? That’s a relief,” she said in a clipped tone. “I’ve come to make sure you aren’t taking anything that doesn’t belong to you.”
“I’m not about to steal your son’s old socks,” Emily replied with a frown. “Would you like to tally up my possessions?”
“How rude! You were so sweet once upon a time. I told James after the first pregnancy that you’d never be able to have children.”
“Is that the reason for your visit? Then hold your tongue and observe.”
“Why are you taking the tea service?” Margaret exclaimed in alarm.
“It’s mine, a present from my aunt, a memento of her.”
“It’ll seem empty in here without it!”
“Not my concern. But at least you’ll have a grandchild to dote on.”
“Take only what is rightfully yours!”
“The laptop, the coffee maker and the microwave were gifts from my colleagues. I bought the car before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“You’ve got all the comforts, but no children!”
“That’s between me and James. It seems it wasn’t in the cards.”
“Don’t you feel any remorse? Perhaps you did it deliberately?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I can’t bear to think about it without it hurting.”
Emily looked around the room her belongings had vanished. Her brush, makeup, slippers… She had forgotten something vital. Margaret’s presence was getting under her skin. Then she remembered the little cat figurine from her grandmother. It contained a secret compartment with some earrings and a ring not worth much, but treasured. James had seen it as mere clutter. Had he discarded it? Emily headed to the balcony.
“What are you searching for out there?” Margaret’s voice echoed. “Hurry up, take your things and go!”
She spotted the cat figurine; everything was still in place. Now she could depart.
“Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope our paths don’t cross again.”
Emily made her way to the office. Although she was on medical leave, she requested some holiday.
“We’re with you,” Paul said. “But it’s hard without you. Will three weeks be enough?”
Emily closed her eyes and felt how his hand squeezed hers gently, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was just beginning.”Emily, it’s over between us!” James said in a cold voice. “I want a real family, children. You can’t give me that. I’ve filed for divorce. You have three days to pack your things. If you leave, give me a sign. I’ll stay at my mum’s until I get the flat ready for the baby and its mother. Yes, don’t be surprised, my new girlfriend is pregnant! Three days, Emily!”
Emily remained silent, feeling the ground give way beneath her feet. What could she possibly say in return? Five years they had tried for a child, yet three pregnancies had ended in heartbreak. The doctors had promised she was healthy, but something always went awry. Emily kept to a healthy routine, and during pregnancies she took extra care. The last time, she fainted at work and the ambulance didn’t arrive in time…
The door slammed shut behind James, and Emily, utterly spent, slumped onto the sofa. She lacked the energy to gather anything. Where could she go? Before the wedding, she had lived with her aunt, but after her aunt passed away the flat had been sold by her cousin. Go back to the village of Ashford, to her grandmother’s house? Rent somewhere? And what about her job? Questions buzzed around her head, but the clock showed no mercy.
The next morning, the door opened and in came her mother-in-law, Margaret.
“Not asleep? That’s a relief,” she said in a clipped tone. “I’ve come to make sure you aren’t taking anything that doesn’t belong to you.”
“I’m not about to steal your son’s old socks,” Emily replied with a frown. “Would you like to tally up my possessions?”
“How rude! You were so sweet once upon a time. I told James after the first pregnancy that you’d never be able to have children.”
“Is that the reason for your visit? Then hold your tongue and observe.”
“Why are you taking the tea service?” Margaret exclaimed in alarm.
“It’s mine, a present from my aunt, a memento of her.”
“It’ll seem empty in here without it!”
“Not my concern. But at least you’ll have a grandchild to dote on.”
“Take only what is rightfully yours!”
“The laptop, the coffee maker and the microwave were gifts from my colleagues. I bought the car before the wedding. Your son has his own.”
“You’ve got all the comforts, but no children!”
“That’s between me and James. It seems it wasn’t in the cards.”
“Don’t you feel any remorse? Perhaps you did it deliberately?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I can’t bear to think about it without it hurting.”
Emily looked around the room her belongings had vanished. Her brush, makeup, slippers… She had forgotten something vital. Margaret’s presence was getting under her skin. Then she remembered the little cat figurine from her grandmother. It contained a secret compartment with some earrings and a ring not worth much, but treasured. James had seen it as mere clutter. Had he discarded it? Emily headed to the balcony.
“What are you searching for out there?” Margaret’s voice echoed. “Hurry up, take your things and go!”
She spotted the cat figurine; everything was still in place. Now she could depart.
“Here are the keys, goodbye. I hope our paths don’t cross again.”
Emily made her way to the office. Although she was on medical leave, she requested some holiday.
“We’re with you,” Paul said. “But it’s hard without you. Will three weeks be enough?”
Emily closed her eyes and felt how his hand squeezed hers gently, knowing that after so much pain, her new life was just beginning.
