Mum, everything was fine this morning, began the daughter, sobbing repeatedly, but in the afternoon someone called Frank.

Rachel returned home feeling anxious. Today she went to visit her daughter. Upon arriving, she found the flat in disarray. Her daughter, Emily, was sitting on the floor in tears. She had argued with Tom and thrown him out. Rachel had never imagined things could turn out like this. Her daughter had always seemed content. They lived well together, raising their two children. They had bought their flat with a mortgage. Rachel simply couldnt understand what had happened.

Mum, everything was fine this morning, Emily began, sobbing between each sentence, but this afternoon someone rang Toms phone. I answered. A womans voice said:

Darling, how much longer do I have to wait? I asked who it was. The stranger hung up and wouldnt answer any more calls. Thats when I decided to ask my husband. He said it was a mistake.

You know Ive always been faithful to you! But I just couldnt believe him He packed his things and left.

Rachel tried her best to calm her daughter. Perhaps it really was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

The next day, Emily phoned her mum to say that Tom had filed for divorce. Still, he promised he would continue paying the mortgage. But no one could be sure what would happen. If he stopped paying, Emily would never manage on her own, and theyd be at risk of losing the flat. Tom assured her that the home would go to the children. Yet Emily overheard some troubling news Toms mistress wanted a share of the property.

She apparently needed a place to live too, as she was expecting a baby. No one knew if that was true. When they split, Tom promised he would cover everything financially. He still kept in touch with his children, and Emily hadnt stopped him. However, his new partner didnt like it. There was always the chance that Tom could change his mind about the mortgage.

Sometimes, Emily noticed that her former husband already seemed weary, worn down by this new situation and his partners pregnancy.

Life, Rachel realised, can change course in an instant. We may build our homes on what we hope is solid ground, but only kindness and honesty keep the walls standing strong.