What Are We Doing Here? Why Are We Sneaking Into Someone Else’s House?

“Oi, what are we doing here? Why are we breaking into someone else’s house?”

“It’s over, Emily. I want a real familykids. You can’t give me that. Ive waited long enough. I need a son. Ive already filed for divorce! Youve got three days to pack up. Call me when youre gone. Ill be staying at Mums for now. HurryI need to get the flat ready for the baby and her mother. Yeah, dont look so shocked. My fiancées pregnant! Three days, Emily!”

Emily stayed silent. What could she even say?

Having kids just hadnt worked out for her. Michael had waited five long years. Three failed attempts in that time.

Countless doctors had told her she was healthy. So why did it never happen?

Shed always lived rightate well, exercised, never smoked.

This time, shed felt unwell at work, called an ambulance, but it all happened too fast

The door slammed behind Michael, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa, drained.

She had no energy to pack. Where would she even go?

Before marriage, shed lived with her aunt. Her aunt was gone now, and the flat had been sold by her cousin. Go back to her grans old cottage in the village? Look for a rental? What about her job?

Too many questions, and she had to figure them out fast

Early the next morning, the door opened. Her mother-in-law walked in.

“Not asleep? Good. Im here to make sure you dont take anything thats not yours.”

“Your sons old boxers? Hardly a priority. Should I count my underwear too?”

“Look at you, all mouthy now! Used to be so sweet and quiet. See how things turned out? I told Mike after the first timeyoud never give him a baby.”

“You came just to say that? Better sit quietly and watch, then.”

“Why are you taking the china?!”

“Its mine. My aunt left it to me.”

“And now the placell look empty without it!”

“Not my problem. At least youll have a grandson.”

“Only take whats yours!”

“My laptop, coffee machine, microwaveall mine, gifts from colleagues. My car was bought before the wedding. Your son has his own.”

“Youve got everythingexcept the ability to have kids!”

“Not your business. Maybe God had other plans.”

“You dont even seem sorry! Did you do this on purpose?”

“Dont be ridiculous. Its painful even thinking about it.”

Emily scanned the flather things were gone. Toothbrush, makeup, slippers

Had she missed something? Her mother-in-laws glare was distracting.

Then she rememberedthe old ceramic cat. A little secret inside: a pair of earrings and a ring. Not worth much, but precious memories of her gran. Mike always called it junk. Had he thrown it out? Hed stashed unwanted stuff on the balcony. Emily pushed the door open

“Whatd you forget out there? Pack up and go!” her mother-in-law snapped. “Saying goodbye to the flat? Well, say it. Youll never have anything like this again.”

Finally, she found the cat. Everything still inside. Time to leave.

“Heres the key. Goodbye. Hope I never see you again.”

Emily drove to the office. She was still on sick leave but asked for holiday instead.

“Were all sorry, but how will we manage without you? Three weeks enough? Just stay reachable. Half our projects rely on you.”

“Fine. I could use the distraction. Thanks.”

“Need any help?”

“No.”

“Ill sort your holiday pay and bonus.”

“Cheers. Thatll help.”

She didnt even look for a flat. She was driving hometo the village. No one was waiting there. Her gran had passed three years ago, and shed never known her mum, who died in childbirth.

And now, for some reason, Emily couldnt have kids of her own

An hour later, she pulled up to the cottage. The apple tree. The tulips blooming.

Last autumn, she and Michael had been here together, barbecuing, relaxing.

She parked on the drive. The garage key was inside the house.

She unlocked the door and stepped in. Silence. Dirty cups and plates on the table. Had she left it like this last time?

Noshed cleaned up! Someone had been here.

Two mugs, plates, juice cartons, bottles of Mikes favourite sparkling wine. Definitely not from last year.

So Mike had been herebut with who?

Didnt matter. Not anymore.

Only she had a key. He mustve made a copy. Time to change the locks.

New life. First, cleaning. Then a hot bath, washing the past away.

As she was about to leave, a knock at the door. Then at the window.

“Whos there?!”

“Everything alright in there?”

“Yeah,” she said, startled.

“Sorry.”

She stepped out. A stranger stood by the cottage.

“Didnt mean to scare you. JustIm your neighbour. Saw youd been gone, then smoke from the chimney. Wanted to check you were okay.”

“Thanks. All good.”

“Youre Mikes family? He was here recently with his wife Sister?”

“Ex-wife. Almost ex. Its in process.”

“The house yours?”

“Mine.”

“Im your temporary neighbour. Staying here on a mates place. Divorce pendingfree man tomorrow. Anyway, if youre good, Ill go. Need help, just ask. Im Ian.”

“Emily. Waitcan you change a lock?”

“Sure. Say when.”

“ASAP. Ill buy one tomorrow.”

“Let me check and get itsave you the trip if its the wrong fit.”

“Fine.”

Two weeks passed. One more week of holiday, then back to the city. Shed grown used to the cottageno desire to hunt for a flat. Mike hadnt called or texted, just a court date for the divorce. Maybe for the best. She never wanted to see him again.

Saturday morning. Early riser as always, but today Ian asked her for a walk by the lake.

Starting something new wasnt on her mind, but a stroll wouldnt hurt. They had a nice time, returned for lunchand found Mikes car outside her cottage. Hed just arrived. The door opened. Mike stepped out, then helped a pregnant woman from the passenger seat.

Emily and Ian reached the gate as Mike jiggled the key, baffled.

“Whats going on?”

“Ah, what are we doing here? Trespassing, are we?”

Mike froze.

“This is our house!” the pregnant woman snapped.

“Really? And who told you thatMike? My house. Kindly leave.”

“Mike, whats she saying?! Who is this?! Your ex?! Throw her out!” the woman shrieked.

Emily and Ian laughed. Mike silently bundled his fiancée into the car and drove off.

“Fun life hes got ahead,” Ian muttered.

“But shell give him a baby. I couldnt. Three tries. Sorry.”

“My ex and I split because she didnt want kids”

Four years later, a chance meeting with her ex-mother-in-law at Tesco.

“Emily? Barely recognised you. Been watching you. Youre glowing. Are you?”

“Pregnant? Yeah.” She rubbed her belly.

“Mikes not doing well. The boys weaksomething wrong on his side. His wife left, dumped the baby on us. You doing this alone?”

“Not alone. Got a family waiting.”

“Oh? Well Im sorry for everything.”

“Good luck to you.”

Her ex-mother-in-law watched as Emily walked away, Ian beside her, one hand steadying her, the other holding their little girls handthe spitting image of her mum.