For generations, the tale has been whispered among the women of our familya cautionary story of trust betrayed and masks torn away.
* * *
«Your husband belongs to me now,» came the hushed whisper through the telephone.
«Have you seen my blue scarf? The one with the fringethe one James brought back from France?» Marina ransacked the wardrobe, tossing clothes onto the bed. «I can’t find it anywhere.»
«Check the hall closet, perhaps,» Vera murmured absently, eyes fixed on her phone.
«Ive looked everywhere. Its vanished into thin air.» Marina slammed the door shut in frustration. «I wanted to wear it to Natalies anniversary partyit matches my new coat.»
At last, Vera looked up, studying her friend. Even dishevelled, in an old jumper and jeans, Marina was strikingher chestnut waves tumbling over her shoulders, gold flecks dancing in her green eyes.
«Maybe you left it at Evelyns last Friday? You went to the theatre together.»
«Thats it!» Marina brightened. «Id completely forgotten. Ill ring her now.»
While Marina searched for her phone, Vera drifted to the window. From the fifth floor, she watched the quiet courtyard below, where the caretaker raked fallen leaves in slow, melancholic strokes. Autumn had settled over London, painting the city in russet and gold.
«Evelyn isnt answering,» Marina said, joining her by the window. «Thats oddwe arranged to meet before Natalies party.»
«Perhaps shes busy,» Vera shrugged, though her gaze lingered on her phone, where a new message had just appeared. «You know Evelynalways dashing about at the last minute.»
Marina laughed. «True. Remember when she arrived at my wedding five minutes before the ceremony? James was convinced his best woman wouldnt show.»
At the mention of her husband, Vera tensedjust slightlybut Marina didnt notice, lost in memory.
«Speaking of James,» Vera said casually, «where is he? The flats unusually quiet.»
«Fishing with his mates,» Marina waved a hand. «Second weekend in a row. Claims the seasons perfect for it.»
«Does he go often?» Vera kept her tone light.
«More lately,» Marina sighed. «Work, fishing, office gatheringsyou know how it is in autumn. The busiest time for bankers.»
Vera nodded and returned to her phone. The screen glowed with a message: *Have you changed your mind? This is your last chance to stop it.*
Her fingers flew: *No. Proceed as planned.*
«Whos that?» Marina peered over her shoulder. «Youve been distracted all morning.»
Vera flinched and switched off the screen. «Just work. No peace, even on a Saturday.» She forced a smile. «What about the car? Could the scarf be there?»
«The car?» Marina paused. «Of course! I wore it when James drove us back from the theatre. It must still be there.»
She snatched her keys and headed for the door.
«Ill come with you,» Vera said suddenly. «I could use the air.»
Outside, the crisp scent of damp leaves filled the air. Marina unlocked their family Volvo and rummaged through the back seat.
«Strange,» she muttered, straightening. «I was certain it would be here.»
Vera watched her, biting her lip. Her phone buzzed again, but she ignored it.
«Marina,» she said at last, her voice oddly strained. «Have you noticed James has seemed different lately?»
«How so?» Marina turned to face her.
«These constant outings, the fishing trips» Vera held her gaze. «Has anything seemed off?»
Marina frowned. «What are you implying? If you know something, say it plainly.»
Vera inhaled deeply, as if gathering courage. «Ive wanted to speak to you for ages. I thinkno, Im certainJames is having an affair.»
Marina stared at her, then burst into laughter.
«*James?* With someone else? Vera, youve gone mad! Weve been married ten yearswe have two children. He doesnt even glance at other women.»
«Are you sure?» Vera asked softly.
Something in her tone made Marina still.
«Vera. What do you know?»
Vera looked away.
«Remember last Friday? You and Evelyn went to the theatre, and James drove you?»
«Yes. What of it?»
«He didnt come straight home.» Vera chose each word carefully. «I saw his car outside Evelyns house. Late that night.»
The world tilted beneath Marinas feet.
«Youre mistaken,» she said, shaking her head. «He just dropped her off and left. She rang me herself, thanking us for the evening.»
«Marina.» Vera laid a hand on her shoulder. «His car stayed there until morning. I saw him leave her building at eight. In the same clothes.»
Marina shoved her hand away.
«I dont believe you. Why would you lie? James said he stayed at his parentshed been working late. He wouldnt»
«Call him,» Vera urged. «Right now. Ask where he is.»
Hesitating, Marina dialled. The line rang endlessly before clicking to voicemail.
«No answer,» she said, bewildered. «Probably no signal where hes fishing.»
«Or hes occupied,» Vera said meaningfully. «With Evelyn.»
«Stop it!» Marinas voice rose. «Evelyns my oldest friendshed never»
The words died as she remembered: Evelyn hadnt answered either.
«I didnt want to tell you,» Vera continued. «But Ive seen them together more than once. Theyve been meeting for months. Whenever James claims to be fishing or at work events.»
Marina leaned against the car, nausea rising.
«No,» she whispered. «Not Evelyn. Weve been friends since uni. She knows how much I love James»
Vera embraced her.
«Come to mine,» she said. «You shouldnt be alone. Well decide what to do.»
Marina shook her head.
«No. I need to speak to Evelyn. Face to face. Now.»
«Are you certain?» Vera looked uneasy. «Shouldnt you calm down first?»
«Im calm.» Marina straightened, steel in her eyes. «I just want the truth from her own lips.»
They returned upstairs in silence. Marina grabbed her keys and bag, then paused at the door.
«Im coming with you,» Vera said.
«No.» Marinas voice was final. «This is between me and Evelyn. Ill ring you later.»
Alone, Vera paced the flat, agitated. Her phone buzzedthis time, a call.
«Yes,» she answered lowly. «Its working. Shes gone to confront her.»
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Marina parked outside Evelyns Kensington flat. Her heart hammered as she spotted Jamess Volvo parked where it always was when they visited.
*Vera was right.*
She took the lift to the fourth floor and pressed the bell. The door opened after a pause. Evelyn stood therehair damp, in a silk dressing gown.
«Marina?» She blinked in shock. «What?»
«May I come in?» Marinas voice was ice.
Evelyn glanced behind her.
«II was just heading out. Ive an appointment»
«Let me in, Evelyn.» Marina stepped forward. «Or shall I fetch James? I saw his car.»
Evelyn paled. Wordlessly, she moved aside.
The sitting room was emptybut two half-drunk coffees sat on the table, and on the sofa lay a shirt Marina had given James for his birthday.
«Where is he?» Marina demanded.
«Marina, let me explain» Evelyn twisted the belt of her gown. «Its not what you think.»
«Not what I think?» Marina gave a bitter laugh. «Then what *should* I think when my husbands car is outside your flat, his shirt is on your sofa, and hes supposedly fishing?»
At that moment, James emerged from the bathroom, towelling his hair. He froze at the sight of his wife.
«Marina?»
«Hello, darling.» Marina folded her arms. «Catch anything?»
James looked between the two women, stricken.
«Marina, listen»
«No, *you* listen.» Marina fought back tears. «How long has this been going on? Who else knows?»
They exchanged glances.
«Two months,» Evelyn admitted softly. «It just happened. We never meant to hurt you.»
«*Happened?*» Marinas laugh was raw. «How does one *happen* to sleep with their best friends husband?»
«Marina.» James stepped closer. «We were going to tell you. Today. Thats why I said I was fishingto meet Evelyn and sort this out.»
«And what did you decide?» Marinas insides turned to stone.
«Were in love,» James said simply. «I want a divorce.»
The words struck harder than any slap. Marina swayed, gripping a chair.
«In love» she whispered. «And our children? Our ten years?»
«The children stay with you, of course,» James said quickly. «Ill visit, provide for them. Well do this properly.»
«Properly.» Marina echoed hollowly. «So youve planned it all.»
«Marina» Evelyn reached for her. «I know Ive betrayed you. But this is real. We couldnt fight it.»
«Shut up.» Marinas voice was lethally quiet. «Dont you *dare* speak to me of feelings. Of friendship. Of anything.»
She turned to James.
«And youyouve taken everything. Not just yourself, but my closest friend. My trust. My belief in people.»
She pulled out her phone and dialled.
«Vera?» she said when the line connected. «You were right. About everything.»
* * *
In the car, Marina collapsed into sobs. All the composure shed clung to shattered. She wept like a child, lost and broken.
When the storm passed, she wiped her face and started the engine. Missed calls from James, none from Evelynbut a text from Vera: *Come to mine. Dont be alone.*
Vera embraced her at the door. Her flat, always a refuge, felt like a sanctuary now.
«Tell me everything,» Vera said, handing her tea.
Marina recounted the confrontation. Vera listened intently, nodding at times, shaking her head at others.
«You know whats odd?» Marina finished. «I dont feel destroyed. Betrayedyes. But not shattered. Maybe part of me knew?»
«Or youre stronger than you realise,» Vera said gently. «What now?»
«I dont know,» Marina admitted. «Pack Jamess things. Speak to the children when theyre back from their grandparents. Then well see.»
Vera took her hand.
«Marina. Theres something else. About James and Evelyn.»
«What more?» Marinas voice was weary. «Could it be worse?»
Vera hesitated.
«Remember last year? When you nearly divorced over that colleague of his?»
«Of course. What does that have to do with?»
«Evelyn supported you then,» Vera continued. «Said James wasnt worth your tears. That you deserved better.»
«And?»
«At the same time, she started pursuing your husband.» Vera met her gaze. «Calling him. Messaging. Offering to ‘help save your marriage.'»
«How do you know?»
«From James himself.» Veras voice was steady. «He told me because he didnt know what to do. He rejected her then. Said he loved only you.»
«But in the end, he yielded,» Marina said bitterly. «How ironic.»
Vera shook her head.
«Thats not the point. Evelyn isnt who she seems. For years, shes coveted what you have. First the job at the prestigious firmremember how she joined your department? Then the same car. A house in your neighbourhood. And finallyyour husband.»
Marina struggled to process this.
«Youre saying she *planned* this? All along?»
«I cant be sure,» Vera said. «But the pattern is there. And Marina theres more.»
She showed a photo on her phoneEvelyn embracing a man who was decidedly *not* James.
«Whos that?»
«Her ex,» Vera said. «They met last week. On a day James supposedly was with her.»
«I dont understand,» Marina whispered. «If she was with her ex, where was James?»
Vera took a breath.
«He was with me,» she said quietly. «At a café, planning your birthday surprise.»
Marina stared. «What? But you *said*»
«I lied.» Vera looked down. «Forgive me. I had to open your eyes. Evelyns manipulated you both.»
«But why such an elaborate lie?»
«So youd *see*,» Vera gripped her hand. «So youd believe, not dismiss it like before when I hinted at Evelyns deceit.»
«Wait.» Marina pulled back. «So James *hasnt* been unfaithful? Theyre *not* divorcing?»
«James hasnt betrayed you,» Vera confirmed. «But Evelyn wants him. And today»
«Today I marched in and accused them,» Marina covered her face. «God, what have I done? I must call James, explain»
«Wait,» Vera held her. «Think. If they *were* together when you arrived, if they confessed perhaps its not so simple? Perhaps Im wrong, and they truly»
Her phone rang. *James.*
«I have to answer,» Marina stood.
«Of course,» Vera smiled strangely. «Put it on speaker. I want the truth as much as you.»
Marina accepted the call.
«Hello?» James sounded tense. «Marina, where are you? Ive been worried.»
«At Veras,» she said, watching her friend.
A pause.
«At *Veras*?» His voice sharpened. «Marina, listen carefully. Leave. *Now.*»
«Why?»
«Because Vera isnt who you think,» he said urgently. «*She* set this up. She called Evelyn, pretended to be you, said wed argued and I was coming to stay»
Marina turned slowly to Vera, whose smile had vanished.
«James, what nonsense!» Vera leaned toward the phone. «Its *Evelyn* whos been seeing you behind Marinas back!»
«Vera?» Jamess tone darkened. «So youre there. Marina, listen. Veras been pursuing me for months. I rejected her, and now shes trying to destroy us.»
«Hes lying!» Vera cried. «Its Evelyn! Ask him where he was this morning!»
«I was at Evelyns,» James said calmly. «Because Vera rang her, pretending to be you, claiming there was an emergency. When I arrived, there was no crisisjust a shocked Evelyn. We tried calling you, but your phone was off.»
Marinas head spun. Vera had gone pale.
«Hes inventing this,» Vera whispered. «Dont believe him.»
«Then why did you say you saw Jamess car at Evelyns last night?» Marina demanded. «Why insist theyve been together for months?»
«Because its *true*!» Veras voice broke. «I was protecting you!»
«Marina,» James said firmly. «Come home. Or to meIm still at Evelyns. Well sort this together.»
«Dont you dare!» Vera grabbed Marinas arm. «Theyre twisting this against me! You *saw* themthey *admitted* it!»
«Vera, let go,» Marina said quietly. «Im going to my husband.»
She moved toward the door, but Vera blocked her.
«You dont understand,» Vera pleaded, desperate. «Hes never loved you as you deserve. You could have so much *more*! We could»
«*We?*» Marina recoiled. «What are you saying?»
«Us,» Vera said simply. «Ive loved you since uni. But you chose James. Then Evelyn with her doe eyes»
The floor seemed to drop away. Marina raised the phone.
«James, Im leaving now. Ill be at Evelyns in twenty minutes.»
«Ill meet you downstairs,» he said, relieved.
«Marina, *please*,» Vera reached for her. «We can talk. I only wanted to show you theyre unworthy of you»
«Goodbye, Vera,» Marina stepped around her and walked out.
* * *
Outside, the autumn air was sharp with the scent of woodsmoke and fallen leaves. The world felt unreal, yet clearer than everas though a veil had lifted, revealing the ugly truth beneath.
She started the car. The phone rang again*Evelyn.*
«Marina? Its me,» her friends voice trembled. «Are you all right? James said you were with Vera»
«Not anymore,» Marina said. «Im coming to you.»
«Thank God,» Evelyn exhaled. «Weve been so frightened. Vera called me this morning, saying such strange things That your husband was hers now»
«I know,» Marina interrupted. «Well talk face to face.»
She hung up and pulled away. Leaves swirled in her wake as autumn stripped away illusions, laying bare the hearts of those shed trusted most.
