We never meant for any of this to happen, it just sort of fell into place.
Emma set a plate of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table and sat opposite Dan. Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, turning everything a soft, buttery gold. She propped her chin with her hand and gave a little smile.
Dan looked up from his phone.
Is she nice? Whats got you so hooked? he asked.
Shes brilliant! Emmas eyes lit up. We chatted yesterday and realized we have loads in common. Shes into climbing too, goes to the same gym I used to frequent, and reads the same books. Its like they cloned me and dropped her into the office.
Dan laughed and reached for his coffee.
Sounds great. Youve needed a work mate for ages.
Exactly! Emma grabbed her fork but didnt start eating. She just wanted to keep talking. She also loves hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. She tells everything so honestly, no pretence.
Dan nodded, taking a bite of his toast.
That sounds perfect. Can you introduce us?
Sure thing. How about a dinner at my place this weekend? Ill whip up something tasty and we can all catch up.
Why not? Dan replied with an easy smile.
Emma gave a satisfied nod and turned back to the eggs. Inside she felt buoyant. She had a job she loved, a wonderful partner shed been with for three years, and now a new friend who just clicked. Life felt almost perfect.
Two weeks later Emma hosted the dinner. Shed polished the flat until it gleamed and cooked Dans favourite rosemaryroasted chicken. Claire walked in with a bunch of fresh tulips and a homemade cake.
Emma, this place is so cosy! Claire exclaimed, taking in the living room. I could stay here forever.
Emma laughed and took the flowers.
Thanks, Dan, this is Claire. Claire, meet Dan.
Dan extended his hand, grinning.
Pleasure, Emmas told me so much about you I feel like Ive known you a century.
Likewise, Claire said, shaking his hand. She always says youre the most patient person on the planet.
Dan winked at Emma. Youve got to be patient with a gogetter like her.
The evening went beautifully. Dan and Claire hit it off instantly, bonding over classic 70s rock and oldschool cinema, quoting favourite lines and debating which film was better.
Emma sat between them, smiling the whole time. Her two favourite people were getting along what could be better?
After that night they started hanging out as a trio movies, galleries, weekend hikes. Dan even began suggesting they invite Claire more often, saying it never gets dull with her around. Emma was just happy.
But gradually she started noticing odd little changes. Dan began staying later at work more often than before, even though he used to be punctual. He texted less during the day and called her less just to chat. When Emma tried to bring up future plans buying a house, maybe getting married his replies grew short, a bit evasive, as if the subject weighed on him.
Claire also seemed different. Occasionally Emma caught Claires gaze lingering on her, a quick, assessing look that felt like Claire wanted to say something but held back, then shed flash a smile and steer the conversation elsewhere.
One evening Emma was in the lounge while Dan was cooking in the kitchen. His phone sat on the table beside her. It lit up with a message. She glanced at it without thinking. Claire. Time almost midnight. The text was brief: Thanks for today.
Emmas heart dropped. She set the phone down, stared at the wall. What did that mean? Theyd met earlier that day, Dan had said he was stuck at work. She tried to push the thought away, convincing herself it was just a coincidence, maybe they bumped into each other or talked about some work thing, even though Dan worked for a different company. She felt a sting of jealousy and tried to tell herself they were just good friends. But the uneasy feeling lingered.
Fast forward to March, the three of them booked a weekend cabin in the Lake District. Theyd been planning it for ages. Emma was looking forward to forest walks, evenings by the fire, and a few climbing sessions. Claire was buzzing with excitement, and Dan was all in. They rented a small stone cottage on the lakeshore, packed camping gear and climbing ropes.
From the moment they arrived, the vibe felt off. Emma noticed Dan and Claire exchanging glances, falling silent whenever she entered the room. On the second day they spent hours walking by the lake while Emma rested after a climb, and Dan told Claire he was just showing her the way to an old chapel the local ranger had mentioned. Emma nodded, but something tightened in her chest.
On the final night they all sat around the fire. Their faces were a mix of confusion and guilt. Dan avoided Emmas eyes, and Claire did the same. Emma tried to get them talking, but their answers were short and shaky.
That night Emma lay awake, feeling like something had cracked beyond repair.
A week after they got back, Dan messaged her: Emma, we need to talk. Can we meet at the coffee shop on High Street?
Emma was at work, staring at her screen, a knot of dread forming.
At five she walked into the café. Dan was already there, sitting by the window, with Claire right beside him.
Emma paused at the doorway. For a split second she thought of turning around and leaving, but her feet carried her to their table. She slipped into the seat, still wearing her coat.
Whats going on? she asked, looking between them. Both wore guilty expressions.
Dan stared at his napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces. Finally he looked up.
Emma, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Emmas hands clenched under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realised we fell for each other, Dan said softly. We tried to fight it, really tried, but we cant hide it any longer.
Claires eyes filled with tears, mascara smudging down her cheeks.
Emma, Im so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us.
Claire reached out.
Emma pulled her hand back, her throat burning. Anger, betrayal, hurt all tangled up.
Stronger than us? Emma shot back, voice shaking. Youve been behind my back while I was planning a future, thinking about weddings and kids? How could you both do this to me? What have I ever done to deserve this?
Dan swallowed. We didnt mean to
Didnt mean to? Emma raised her voice. A few other patrons glanced over, but she didnt care. You were meeting in secret, texting each other at night! And now you act like it wasnt a betrayal? This is the worst thing you could do to me, Dan.
I know, Dan said, eyes down. Ive been a coward. I cant keep lying to you.
And you? Emma turned to Claire. You called me your best friend. How could you?
Claire sobbed, covering her face.
Im sorry. I never expected it to turn out like this. We just talked, spent time together, and then it became more than friendship.
Emma stood up, the chair screeching as it slid back. She grabbed her bag, gave them one last look.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She walked out into the cold night, tears streaming, not wiping them away, heading straight for the tube station.
The next day Emma submitted a transfer request to the London office of her company. Her manager was surprised but didnt press for details. She was approved quickly.
Claire tried to call; Emma blocked her number. Dan sent a few messages; she deleted them without reading. He collected his things from her flat while she was out. When Emma got back, the apartment was empty, her sneakers gone. She stood in the living room for a long time, staring at the space where his stuff used to be.
Two weeks later Emma was settled in a flat in Manchester. Her parents were uneasy about the move, but she was determined to start fresh, away from any reminders of Dan and Claire.
The first months were tough. She threw herself back into climbing, now doing it solo. It helped.
One day a mutual friend from London pinged her, saying Dan and Claire had moved in together and were living happily for a couple of months now. Emma read the message, turned off her phone, and let the silence settle.
The pain didnt vanish, but it dulled. She stopped crying in the night, stopped replaying their last meeting over and over. She just kept moving forward, day by day.
Emma hadnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; shed lost faith in peoples honesty, in the idea that friendship could be pure, that love wouldnt be so easily betrayed.
But she decided to rebuild her life, this time more cautious about who she let in. The ache would linger for a long while, but she knew shed get through it she had no other choice.
