Ellie, can you believe it? Peter and Ethel are coming for the weekend! Harry said, holding his phone and grinning.
Seriously? It feels like ages since we saw them five years? She smiled back. Well, well have plenty to talk about.
Theyve been itching to get out of town. Peter keeps complaining that everything back home is getting worse. We managed to break free, but theyre still stuck in that swamp.
Where will they stay?
Honestly, I offered them our place straight away. You dont mind, do you? Harry squinted playfully.
If theyve decided without me, Im fine. Lets give them a proper London weekend. Well show them around, let them see what life looks like when you work hard and push yourself, Ellie said. Pride shone in her eyes for what they and Harry had achieved: moving, settling down, and living comfortably, despite what the smalltown folk said about nothing for simple folk to catch.
The flat was sparkling for the guests arrival: Ellie had scrubbed every surface, brought fresh linen out of the wardrobe to dress the sofa, bought a cosy throw so the visitors wouldnt feel chilly, and added a couple of new pillows for extra comfort. They were preparing for the friends visit as one would for close relatives.
Saturday morning the intercom buzzed. Within a minute Peter and Ethel stood in the hallway. Peter wore a tracksuit that would have been out of fashion in the capital years ago; Ethel was in tight jeans and a sleek top, looking glum and impatient as she scanned the corridor.
Come in, dear guests Harry greeted.
Wow, even better than I imagined, Peter said, kicking off his old trainers and flashing his holey socks.
Ethel slipped deeper into the flat, glanced around silently, and asked:
Is this your flat?
No, its ours. Bought with a mortgage, Harry replied. Shall we head to the table? Tea or coffee?
Coffee, Ethel said.
I could do with something stronger. Peter tapped Harry on the shoulder.
An hour later the atmosphere relaxed. The friends exchanged news.
Its a completely different life here, Ellie remarked.
Even the air feels different, and people smile more, Ethel nodded.
Why wouldnt they smile? Theres at least something to live for, Peter added. Back home we have no decent wages, no jobs. Blah.
Ellie laid out a bowl of fruit and a homemade cake shed baked for their arrival.
Listen, Harry, Peter began over dinner. Any vacancies at your firm? Im ready for anything. Im tired of grinding for pennies.
Ill have a look, Harry said. Were actually hiring right now. Ill recommend you, but I cant promise anything.
Would you be ready to move, children and all? Ellie asked, surprised.
Well Ethel tasted the cake and thought. We could move the whole family, but you know, two kids, the older just started nursery, a good one we fought hard to get. Plus we have no money for a move.
If needed, Peter could go first. Theres a staff flat where lads share rooms twobytwo. They dont complain, Harry offered.
Ellie caught a flicker of doubt in Harrys eyes, but he brushed it away with a smile.
I wouldnt want us to live apart, Ethel murmured. Its a question of prospects and salary.
On Monday the guests left. Peter sent his résumé, Harry forwarded it, and a couple of weeks later everything fell into place.
Peter was hired quickly. Harry kept his word, talking to his managers and recommending him. Peter got a probationary contract not the top slot, but a decent salary and room for growth.
Mate, I owe you one, Peter said one evening, arriving with a bottle of red. This is my chance. Back home there are no options. Lets make the most of it!
Just dont let us down, Harry replied, uncorking the bottle.
Ellie watched from the sidelines. At first everything seemed normal: Peter dropped by now and then, sipping tea, sharing how the new job was going, staying in the temporary shared flat with colleagues.
Peter, hows Ethel? How are the kids? Ellie asked out of habit.
The kids are great. I sent them money for new toys. Mum helps but my wife isnt thrilled Ive moved. Im glad, though a break from her constant checking, Peter confessed after a few glasses.
Longdistance relationships are tricky, but youll both miss each other, Ellie replied with a smile.
Peter eventually left for good.
The following weekend he returned, not alone but with Ethel and the children.
Were here for the weekend, Ethel announced, as if it had been prearranged. Weve missed you! The kids havent seen their dad in ages, and weve missed you too.
Ellie was taken aback. It had been a year, maybe two not just two weeks. Still, she didnt turn them away.
Come in, the roast chickens on the table, she said. Where did you stay?
At a hotel, Ethel sighed. Its pricey, about £150 a night, but we cant afford anything else. We need to see each other now and then, otherwise my husband will forget what I look like and bring someone else home.
Who would I bring? Harry asked, halfjoking.
Red or white? Ellie asked, already pouring drinks. Her hospitality had become routine.
We wont be long. Could you look after the kids for a bit? We need some time alone, you know, a night on our own, Ethel giggled. Oneroom flat isnt exactly romantic with children around.
Harry glanced at Ellie, shrugged, and said, I get it, but looking after strangers kids isnt my favourite pastime.
Well be quick, honestly, Ethel insisted, hands clasped.
Fine, one goround is fine. Have a seat, lovebirds. Keep an eye on the little ones, Ellie laughed. They say you get paid well for babysitting maybe enough for a flat.
Peter and Ethel laughed and left, the children staying with Harry and Ellie.
Nothing disastrous happened. The young couple felt a bit exhausted, but they also felt like heroes for not abandoning their friends. Their occasional visits became a habit. Ethel started coming almost every week, each time asking to watch the kidsfor a few hours, a whole day, or an entire Saturday.
My husband works in another city, shed say. I need these meetups. Please look after them while Im childfree!
Ellie grew irritated, and after the third request she finally said, Thats it. The nurserys closed. We have plans.
Youre moving? Ethel asked, disappointed, then brightened. Great! Hand us the keys. Well stay a week or two. Hotels are too expensive, my husband wont pay; he says my trips cost him too much.
No, that wont work. Well be out for a night, then were back. Where do you want us to stay? Ellie replied.
You have two rooms. We wont be a bother. Were practically family.
After that conversation Ellie nearly argued with Harry.
Did you hear what she said? She wants us to shift so its convenient for them!
Maybe shes stressed kids, moving, husband maybe PMS.
Its not stress, its sheer nerve! We dont have to host them! Im against it. Call Peter and tell his wife to stop being so pushy.
That doesnt feel right.
Are they behaving well?!
Harry shrugged, then called Peter. Ethel softened a little, or so Ellie thought. Later Ethel started messaging Harry.
Hey, can you do me a favour? I need to check his phone He doesnt text anyone?
When Harry refused, Ethel wrote again.
Then at least visit him. See if there are any womens items in his room.
Harry please talk to him. Im scared hes pulling away. I think someone else is in his life, and he trusts you.
Harrys replies grew shorter until he stopped answering. Ethel kept calling, sending voice notes, flooding him with long texts and endless emojis.
Harry kept the messages hidden, deleting them, slipping out of the room to talk on the phone. One evening, while he was on his phone, Ellie peeked over his shoulder and read a long message from Ethel:
Go see him tomorrow. I feel ignored. Im sure hes found someone. Check his phone if you can.
Ellies face flushed.
What are you hiding? Is she now your friend? Or are you spying for Peter?
Im not spying! Harry stammered. She just wont stop texting, calling, complaining. I thought, shes his friends wife, maybe I should help
Help? Shes using you as a messenger! And youre staying silent, letting her run you ragged because you cant say no. You gave her permission, and now youre paying the price. Hide from me like a guilty cat! Shame on you!
Youre right. I should have told you. Ill end this, Harry deleted the chats and blocked her number.
After that, Ethel finally got through to Harry and he told her he wouldnt take part in any more checks. She was offended, blaming Ellie for ruining things. She warned Harry shed tell Peter if he kept pushing.
Eventually, Ethel fell silent.
Peter learned of the messages from Ellie and was outraged. One evening he confronted Harry:
Shes been feeding you lies, hasnt she? Sorry shes so nosy. Im fed up. I thought distance would help, but it didnt. Ill sort it out.
Two months later both Peter and Ethel vanished from their lives.
Harry and Ellie went back to their routine, took a holiday, visited their parents, and ran into Ethel back in their hometown. She walked past without a word. Later they heard she and Peter had split. Rumour had it Ethel had found someone while Peter was in London, and the jealous wife turned out to be unfaithful herself. Such things happen.
The whole tangled mess taught them a simple truth: true friendship respects boundaries, honesty, and the right to say no. Without those, even the kindest hearts become tangled in others demands.
